2025-26 Berks IV Girls Basketball Team Preview Capsules

Kutztown Cougars

Coach: Jessica Plisko, second season, 10-12.

Last season: 4-8 Berks IV, 10-12 overall.

Schedule: Click here.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2012/2010.

Key losses: F Hailey Graham, G Lilia Pizzelanti, G Gabbi King, F Kourtney Dietrich.

Top players: All-division Jr. G Kaitlyn Houptley, all-division honorable mention Sr. G Jayden Gehris, all-division honorable mention Jr. G/F Jade Fitzgerald.

Key players: Jr. F Riley Derstine, Jr. G Ava Kutz, Sr. G Emme Sanders, Sr. F AJ Blank, So. G Emma Zimmerman.

Outlook: Improved win total by seven last season in first year under Plisko, who scored 1,000 points and won a district championship during her playing career at Riverside High. Next step is improving in division and reaching their first winning season since 2009. Have the pieces to do so with all starters returning led by Houptley.

Oley Valley Lynx

Coach: Kerry Snyder, fifth season, 57-37.

Last season: 9-3 Berks IV champion, 15-11 overall, Berks qualifier, District 3 semifinalist.

Schedule: Click here.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2025/2025.

Key losses: All-division F Isabella Buehler, all-division honorable mention G Alyson Magee.

Top players: All-division Sr. G Julia Wagner (Wagner field hockey commit), all-division honorable mention Sr. G Lily Hare.

Key players: Jr. F Taylor Schlegel, Sr. F Makenzie Myers, Sr. G Ava Walters (Central Michigan field hockey commit), Jr. G Kadyn Rhoads (Bloomsburg field hockey commit), So. F Nina Bauer.

Outlook: The Lynx were expected to take a step back last season with a heavy graduation hit, only to win back-to-back division titles and their first district playoff game in 10 years. Bet against them at your own peril.

Brandywine Heights Bullets

Coach: Rob Benner, second season, 11-11.

Last season: 9-3 Berks IV, 11-11 overall.

Schedule: Click here.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2023/2022.

Key losses: All-Berks G/F Addison Benner, all-division honorable mention Sr. G Lauren Stoudt, Sr. G Kam Henry.

Top players: All-division So. G Sophia Benner, Sr. F/C Jenna Crist.

Key players: Sr. F Ella Potteiger, Jr. F Lizzie Tomaine, Jr. G Taylin Dalzell, Fr. F Genevieve Aul.

Outlook: Replacing their all-time leading scorer to graduation and Stoudt/Henry — who decided not to play — won't be easy, but the Bullets have another Benner to build around. Brandywine will be motivated to win first section title since 2023 after finishing close second to Oley Valley past two years.

Tulpehocken Trojans

Coach: Storm Hutchinson, first season.

Last season: 4-8 Berks IV, 8-14 overall.

Schedule: Click here.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2017/2007.

Key losses: All-division G Avery Baransky, C Juliet Snyder.

Top players: All-division honorable mention Sr. G/F Lyla Pugh, Sr. G Heidi Marks, Jr. G Katelyn Kampe.

Key players: Jr. G Molly Goldberg, Jr. G Kayla Kampe, Jr. F Kaylee Weaver, Jr. F Leanne Eckenrode.

Outlook: Went from four to five to eight wins the past three years, so will be looking to continue that upward trend with new head coach at the helm. Trojans looking for first winning season since 2015, but must replace two starters.

Antietam Mountaineers

Coach: Jamie Harle, second season, 3-18.

Last season: 0-12 Berks IV, 3-18 overall.

Schedule: Click here.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2019/2012.

Key losses: All-division C Airyana Jones, G Alyzah Reyes, Sr. G Jisayree Santiago.

Top players: Sr. G Marlena Rinkevich.

Key players: So. F Christina Ocasio, Fr. G Asahnti Dotson.

Outlook: Mounts improved their winning record by two last season, a positive as they try to build consistency under Harle. The loss of Jones will hurt, but some experience returns.