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BASKETBALL

Girls basketball: Courier News area preseason Top 10

Courier News and Home News Tribune

1. Franklin (25-7) – The Warriors shocked the state by capturing the program’s first Tournament of Champions title last year, as freshman Kennady Schenck’s baseline jumper at the buzzer lifted Franklin over Manasquan in the final. Franklin returns all but one starter looking to make another run.

READ: Girls basketball preview. A team-by-team look at the entire Courier News area

2. Rutgers Prep (30-2) – The Argonauts reeled off 29 straight victories, capturing the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title, their third Somerset County Tournament championship and their second consecutive state Non-Public B crown last year, and should be in the mix again, despite heavy graduation losses.

3. Gill St. Bernard’s (10-16) – The Knights navigated their way through an injury-riddled season, finishing under .500 against a loaded conference and non-conference schedule, Gill St. Bernard’s finished strong, including an inspired upset of Franklin in the county semifinals and at full strength, looks to return to state-wide prominence

4. Bridgewater-Raritan (17-11) – The Panthers started strong, shook off a midseason slide, and finished even stronger, advancing to the North 2 Group IV final after upsetting Watchung Hills in the quarterfinals. They return all but one starter looking for even bigger things this season.

5. Watchung Hills (21-5) –The Warriors shook off youth, inexperience and the season-ending opening-night loss of their lone senior to post the winningest season in program history, take the Skyland Raritan title, and advance to the county semifinals. A year older and wiser, Watchung Hills is looking to take the next step.

READ: More experienced Watchung Hills no longer an underdog

6. Somerville (19-7) -- The Pioneers scored the program’s first sectional title since 1985 last season, as the culmination of a four-year senior class ended as planned. Now, despite graduating that class, the Ville should have enough back to remain contenders and defend its Valley Division co-championship.  

7. Bound Brook (26-4) –The Crusaders made history, not only repeating as Central Group I champs and sweeping through their Skyland Conference Mountain Division slate, but capturing the program’s first-ever state title when they won the Group I championship. Despite the graduation of the program’s all-time best player in Janee’a Summers, Bound Brook should still be the overwhelming favorite in the division and be in good shape for another state-title run.

8. Westfield (19-6) –The Blue Devils shook off a 9-16 season and returned to the Union County Tournament final for the second time in three years a season ago. With third-team All-Area pick Molly Ryan back, Westfield should have enough, despite some key graduation losses, to be in the UCC mix once again.

9. Hunterdon Central (16-11) –The Red Devils started strong, but cooled down, but still finished with trips to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex and Central Group IV tournament semifinals. Central will have to overcome some key graduation losses if it’s to enjoy another successful campaign.

10. Delaware Valley (17-11) –The Terriers were serious contenders in a stacked division, but came up short against Somerville and Voorhees. This year, despite the graduation of Veronica Christ and her 1,325 career points, Del Val looks to be in good shape to be contenders again.

Staff writer Simeon Pincus can be reached CNGirlsHoops@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN