The OPRF girls basketball team kicks off its season at area-rival Trinity on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m.). The Huskies are coming off an 11-20 season, while the Blazers went 24-10 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the Class 3A playoffs last season.
Stekara Hall returns to the lineup for OPRF. The 5-foot-9 junior forward averaged 12 points per game last season. Joining Hall in the starting lineup likely will include returning seniors Camille Scott, Hasheeka Barral, Raven Hurley and Shelby Cozette, who also started last season. At 6-1, Scott is OPRF’s tallest player. Barral (5-foot-7), Hurley (5-6) and Cozette (5-7) will rotate at guard positions. Sophomore Carolyn Kelty (5-7) is expected to see significant time on the court at forward this season.
Trinity returns everyone from last year’s stellar team, including 6-foot-1 forward Megan Podkowa. The junior averaged 17 points and eight rebounds last season. Joining Podkowa on the court this season is Fenwick transfer Alyssa Dengler. The 6-foot Dengler played in all 34 games last season for the Friars, who finished third in the Class 4A State Finals.
Speaking of Fenwick, OPRF heads down the street to take on its cross-town rival on Thursday night for the Friars’ opener (7 p.m.). Dave Power may not have Tricia Liston on his court anymore — she’s now at Duke — but he does have returning starters Kathleen Roche, Sarah Williams and Kyra Navarrete. He may also have a secret weapon in freshman Jade Owens.
Check out the girls basketball preview stories in the Nov. 17 print edition of Wednesday Journal. Boys b-ball previews will run Nov. 24.
