Preseason girls basketball: GCL Co-Ed North

Carroll’s Allie Stefanek. Alter defeated Carroll 55-38 in a girls high school basketball D-II regional final at Springfield on Friday, March 10, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Carroll’s Allie Stefanek. Alter defeated Carroll 55-38 in a girls high school basketball D-II regional final at Springfield on Friday, March 10, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

The following is a preseason look at Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North girls high school basketball.

The girls season begins on Friday, Nov. 23. The boys basketball season begins on Friday, Nov. 30.

Affiliation: GCL Co-Ed North.

2017-18 standings: Carroll (16-10 regular season, 9-1 GCL North); Chaminade Julienne (10-14, 5-5); Fenwick (13-10, 4-6); Alter (6-17, 1-9).

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Head coaches: Chris Hart and Kendal Peck (Alter), Cecilia Grosselin (Carroll), Randy Duff (CJ), Scott Dalton (Fenwick).

• Hart is in her 25th season coaching the Knights. She has a career record of 439-156 at Alter. Peck is in his 20th season at Alter as a co-coach.

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• Grosselin is in her third season as the Patriots’ head coach.

Chris Hart (middle) and Kendel Peck (front) have been unique co-head coaches of the Alter girls basketball program for 15 seasons. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

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• Duff is in his second season at CJ following a long and successful run at Miami Valley. Junior point guard Jordyn Varise is a three-year starter.

• Dalton also is in his second season at Fenwick. Junior guard Hannah Beckman was first team All-GCL North (8.9 points).

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Notable from last season: Three-time defending D-II state champ Alter had won every GCL Co-Ed North title since the league was renamed in the 2013-14 season. That included a 39-game GCL win streak. Heavy graduation losses gutted the Knights and it was Carroll that emerged the GCL North's best.

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• Carroll also made the deepest tourney run, falling 53-51 in triple OT to Franklin in a D-II district final at Mason.

Top returning scorers: Julia Keller, jr., Carroll, 12.2 points; Elisabeth Bush, sr., Carroll, 11.7; Allie Stefanek, jr., Carroll, 11.1.

Top returning rebounders: Keller, 8.6 rebounds; Courtney Redd, jr., CJ, 5.3; Bush, Carroll, 5.1.

What to know: Carroll returns four starters in Keller, Stefanek, Bush and Ava Lickliter. The Patriots also will play defending D-IV state champ Minster in Day 2 of the Premier Health Flyin' to the Hoop at Fairmont's Trent Arena (11:30 a.m., Sat., Jan. 19).

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• Most of Alter’s key players return and the Knights have been boosted by a promising freshman class.

Carroll’s Allie Stefanek (left) is checked by Carlisa Strickland. Carroll defeated Columbus Independence 68-45 in a girls high school basketball D-II regional semifinal at Springfield High School on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

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Quotable: "We are traveling to Fort Myers, Florida, to participate in the Queen of Palms Tournament over Christmas break. This year's team is very athletic and quick compared to last year's team. Looking to play even more up-tempo." – Fenwick coach Scott Dalton

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Openers: Cin. Wyoming at Carroll (Fri., Nov. 23); CJ vs. Versailles at Tri-Village (Fri., Nov. 23), Dunbar at Alter (Sat., Nov. 26), Reading at Fenwick (Mon., Dec. 26).

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