Upper Dauphin Area Trojans Girls' Basketball: Banking on Speed, Shooters, and 'Resilient, Motivated Family' for 2025-26 Season

ELIZABETHVILLE, PA—The Upper Dauphin Area girls' basketball team is poised to enter the 2025-26 season as a "surprising underdog," according to Head Coach Denise Smeltz. With a roster defined by youth and only one returning starter, the Trojans are shifting their focus to maximize their speed, shooting ability, and outstanding summer league success.

 Last Season in Review (2024-2025)

The 2024-2025 season saw the Trojans achieve significant postseason success:

• League Play: The team earned a trip to the Tri-Valley Athletic Association (TVAA) Championship Game before falling to Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy.

• District Tournament: The Trojans qualified for the PIAA District III Class AAA Tournament, where their successful run concluded in the Quarterfinal round.

• Off-Season Challenge: The core challenge for this year's team is compensating for the loss of several starters due to graduation, as well as a key injury heading into the new campaign.

Offensive and Defensive Identity

Coach Smeltz is installing a philosophy built on relentless effort and a fast pace.

• Offensive Philosophy: The team will be running a fast-paced, high-possession offense. Coach Smeltz describes the roster as a "team full of shooters," capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor.

• Defensive Identity: The defense will rely on high-pressure, full-court man-to-man press the entire game. With "some height, but a lot of speed," the emphasis is on forcing turnovers and generating steals.

• New Concepts: The team is excited to implement a new 3-2 half-court trap press this season.

Key Players and Roster Outlook

The team's greatest challenge is its youth, with only one returning starter available. However, the program's off-season effort was graded as "outstanding," highlighted by an undefeated run in their summer league.

• Returning Core: The lone returning starter is Kate Rothermel, who is expected to become "more of a force inside" this year due to her increased experience.

• Impact Contributors: Coach Smeltz expects big contributions from Delaney Smeltz, Alana Bingaman, Mady Maruer, and Paige Williams, praising them for being "extremely dedicated" and for their hard work, which will "make up for any lack of experience".

• Loss and Leadership: The team's biggest on-court loss will be Reagan Wentzel, who is out for the season due to injury. Despite being sidelined, Wentzel is expected to be a "huge asset on the bench" through her leadership.

• Roster Depth: With only 11 girls on the roster, the team has "no position battles". The tight rotation means the team will rely heavily on its bench to maintain the intended fast pace of play.

Goals and Team Culture

The Trojans' primary goal is simple: to be "the best they can be every time they step on the court".

• Definition of Success: Coach Smeltz stresses that success "isn’t measured in wins or losses," as the team's record will take care of itself if they focus on their effort.

• Team Culture: The team's collective personality is summed up in three words: Resilient, Motivated Family.

• Leadership: All upperclassmen have stepped up as leaders and are considered "great role models" for the freshmen.

• Core Message: The essential message stressed to the players this preseason is to "Practice hard so games seem easy".

Coach Smeltz believes the team will be underestimated due to the lack of returning starters, but opponents "will be surprised at the talent last year’s bench has to bring to this year’s team". The high dedication and motivation of the players are expected to be the key to their success, with different girls stepping up as needed in every game.