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Palmer, Lumberjills Look To Get Back to Title Game

By BUBBA KAPRAL

PINE GROVE — These are good times for the Valley Lumberjills.

Coach Jeff Derby’s charges are coming off a banner season. And with one of the OVAC’s premier players back in the fold, more success is likely on tap for this winter.

Valley posted a sparkling 15-8 record last season. Along the way, the Lumberjills advanced to the OVAC Tournament championship game.

Derby must replace three starters lost via graduation. Their departures are cushioned by the return of Sophie Palmer.

The multi-talented 5-foot-6 senior has established herself as one of the best point guards in the OVAC. Palmer combines great quickness with deft long-range shooting ability.

She averaged 18.9 points, five assists and four steals a game last winter, a season in which she eclipsed the 1,000-career scoring plateau. She was accorded third team all-state honors and first team All-Valley and Mason-Dixon Conference accolades.

“Sophie is the true definition of a student-athlete. She became a 1,000-point scorer during her junior year. She excels in the classroom as well as on the basketball court,” Derby said. “I expect her to accept the leadership role this year and lead us to another great season.”

Palmer will be supported by a quartet of players with extended varsity experience: Caitlyn Underwood, Emma Ueltschy, Jenna Dallison and Tessa Dungeon. Brittany Kennedy and Jamey West also received some varsity playing time a year ago.

Dudgeon, a hard-working senior, and Dallison and Ueltschy, a pair of rising juniors, will be counted upon to deliver inside presence at both ends of the floor. Underwood will team with Palmer in the backcourt. The talented junior possesses both sharp ballhandling skills with a nice shooting touch.

Two other seniors — Mckensie Melott and Christine Williams — will provide leadership as well as added depth.

Kennedy and West headline a three-member sophomore class. Both are expected to provide strong play off the bench. Classmate Kaeleen Utt is also vying for playing time.

Derby has one freshman who is waging a spirited battle for quality varsity minutes. McKinley Yoho is promising guard who should see more and more time as the season plays out.

Two other freshmen join Yoho to provide a solid foundation for the future — Madison Greathouse and Americus Ueltschy.

“We lost three starters to graduation but I have been really impressed with Tessa Dudgeon in practice. She is healthy and I expect big things from her this year,” Derby said. ” We have returning starter Caitlyn Underwood who averaged seven points a game last season. Jenna Dallsion, Jamey West, Brittany Kennedy, McKinlee Yoho, Rachel Bates are looking to fill the void lost to graduation. I’m really looking forward to this season.”

Lumberjacks football coach Logan Miller is serving as Derby’s assistant.

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