Suburban Council girls basketball preview: veterans will lead Colonie, Bethlehem and Troy, while defending champion Shenendehowa rebuilds

Nov 29, 2016 Rob Jonas High School Sports, Sports

Sierra "CeCe" Mayo is back for her senior year with Shaker. Spotlight file photo

The Suburban Council girls basketball season begins Tuesday, Dec. 6, with a full slate of games including Shaker at Averill Park and Colonie at Troy.

Here is a look at each of the 15 teams:

Albany Falcons
Junior guard Bridget Whelan is one of the few holdovers from last year’s team, which reached the Section 2 Class AA championship game.

Averill Park Warriors
Returning starters Stephanie Jankovic and Kat Stackrow hope to lead the Warriors to another winning season and a high seed for the Section 2 Class A playoffs.

Ballston Spa Scotties
Jordan Hipwell returns for her senior season. Whether the Scotties can assemble a strong supporting cast for Hipwell remains to be seen.

Bethlehem Eagles
Losing Jenna Giacone changes the dynamic for the Eagles, but they will have several key players back including guards Emily Wander, Tessa Hughes and Molly Kirby. Look for junior forward Julianna Okoniewski to take on a more prominent role at both ends of the floor.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Spartans
Things have not gone well for the Spartans over the last several seasons. Seniors Alaina Purdy and Gabie Bucci will try to help turn things around this year.

Colonie Garnet Raiders
The present and the future look bright for the Garnet Raiders with the return of sophomores Aliyah Wright, Myaisha Kelly and Alivia Paeglow, plus junior Erin Fouracre.

Columbia Blue Devils
Marquette University-bound senior guard Selena Lott is back for one more season of dominance from the shooting guard position. That plus senior forward Tess Mulvey makes the Blue Devils a team to watch in 2016-17.

Guilderland Lady Dutch
The Lady Dutch three returning starters to build around — senior forward/guard Olivia Baumann, senior forward Nicole Fyvie and junior forward Skye Lindsay.

Mohonasen Mighty Warriors
Senior Saeeda Abdul-Aziz has been the Mighty Warriors’ go-to player for the last four seasons, and that doesn’t figure to change this year.

Niskayuna Silver Warriors
Junior center Olivia Owens was a major reason why the Silver Warriors mattered within the league last year, and she figures to be a major reason why her team will matter this season.

Saratoga Blue Streaks
With Catherine Cairns and Kerry Flaherty leading the way, the Blue Streaks will be a legitimate contender in the Suburban Council’s Blue Division.

Schenectady Patriots
The Patriots enter their second season in the Suburban Council with a lineup led by junior forward Mekiyah Holt and sophomore guard Naseyah Dix.

Shaker Blue Bison
Sierra “CeCe” Mayo and Shyla Sanford give the Blue Bison two consistent scorers to build around this season.

Shenendehowa Plainsmen
Losing guard Carly Brown to graduation and forward Sydney Brown to prep school could be difficult for Shen to overcome, especially in a league as unforgiving as the Suburban Council. Junior guard Alexandra Tudor will have to step up.

Troy Flying Horses
One of the most veteran-laden teams in the league, the Flying Horses have five key players returning — Sabrina Wolfe, Shalie Frierson, Alaina Holmes, Dominique Fiddeman and Karisma Kennedy.