Every high school girls basketball player hopes to extend her senior season for as long as possible. But sometimes, playoffs just aren't in the cards, no matter their best efforts. While these seniors concluded their high school careers in the regular season last week, the impact they have made on their programs will be felt for years to come.

(Note: This includes only seniors whose teams didn't make league or district playoffs)

Council Rock North's Delaney McCaffery helped younger teammates realize their capabilities

As a rare four-year starter, McCaffery has given much of herself to the Council Rock North girls basketball program, something her coaches and teammates greatly appreciate. A consistent scoring threat who was among the team’s leading scorers all four years, McCaffery paced the Indians with 14.5 points per game this season, up from 10.5 points last year. She also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2 steals this season, in addition to shooting 84 percent from the free throw line.

McCaffery stepped it up even more in the second half of the season, averaging 17 points per game, including six games of 20 or more points, as the CR North pushed for a playoff spot. While they fell just short of a district playoff spot, McCaffery’s efforts were noted by many opposing coaches in the Suburban One League. And, of course, by her own team.

“Delaney McCaffery is known for her ability to score the basketball, but her impact on our program goes well beyond that,” said head coach Jack Kelly. “It starts with her competitive spirit. She, along with our other three seniors, helped raise the bar for our program this season. Delaney pushed her teammates to be the best they could be every day, and she really tried to help our team see what they are capable of.”

The two-time All-SOL Patriot Division selection will be taking her talents to Ursinus College next year. As a team captain, McCaffery led by example, but her leadership extended far beyond game time.

“In the second half of the season, she started to really push her teammates to believe in themselves, and she helped them see what they are capable of,” Kelly said. “Our practices every day became more and more competitive, and unironically, that was when we started to play our best basketball. Delaney's resilience, confidence, and competitiveness helped push our team to get in a position that North has not been in for some time.”

Frannie Boyle, Council Rock North

A team captain along with Delaney McCaffery, Boyle was a supportive presence and an “older sister” for her teammates, offering a friendly face for younger players to share their concerns, basketball-related or otherwise. The center dealt with injuries her whole high school career, and missed her entire junior season. But being on the sidelines helped Boyle develop another perspective, as she noted, “I want to make a positive impact on the younger girls and help them to love the game.”

“Frannie is just a great person,” coach Kelly said. “She has a huge heart, and she makes every room she walks into a brighter place.”

But don’t think that her impact wasn’t felt on the court as well. Boyle was the heart of the Indians’ defense, and her presence was often noted by opposing coaches. In addition, despite her high school career coming to a close, Boyle continued to work to improve her shooting, and had the best offensive games of her career in the final weeks of the season, as CR North pushed for a playoff spot.

Kitty Randa, Hatboro-Horsham

Randa started high school as a soccer player only. She’ll finish as a two-year basketball captain with plans to play Division II basketball at Kutztown University. Randa, a soccer standout for the Hatters, a perennial playoff team, joined the basketball team in her sophomore year. Randa quickly became an offensive and defensive anchor for the Hatters, and her responsibilities increased greatly this year, when she was the lone senior on the team. Despite being the focal point of opposing defenses and missing time due to injury, she averaged 11 points per game.

Ava Fantaskey, Pennridge

Fantaskey is one of the top lacrosse players in the area, with a commitment to Division I Temple University. Despite that, she found time to devote to basketball as well. As the team’s only returning senior starter, Fantaskey contributed solid 3-point shooting and had multiple games with five or more steals this year.

Ava Pistone, Quakertown

After graduating most of last year’s starters, including two All-SOL Liberty Division selections, Pistone provided veteran leadership on and off the court while leading the team in scoring with 12 points per game. While the Panthers only had two wins this season, Pistone was the key to both, tallying 28 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists against Wissahickon, and scoring a game-high 16 points against Upper Perkiomen.

Brooke Fenchel, Souderton

As a three-year starter, Fenchel had to adapt to a different situation this year. Last year, Fenchel was preparing for her second straight district playoff tournament, with Souderton ultimately advancing to the quarterfinals and the PIAA state tournament for the second straight year. This year, Fenchel was the team’s lone senior, and only returning starter after losing several high-level players to graduation and transfers. While she led the team in scoring, the team captain was more concerned with the development of her young teammates.

“Her role on and off the court became much bigger this year and she handled it with grace and maturity,” coach Lynn Carroll said. “(As) it became evident that qualifying for districts was not in the cards ... Brooke continued to play with a determination and focus that helped build the foundation for the future of our young team.”

The Messiah University commit also continued to develop her own game, working on improving her weaknesses ahead of college. Her hard work and commitment were appreciated by coaches and teammates alike.

“We talk a lot in our program about players having a lasting impact long after they've graduated,” said Carroll. “Any success that we might have over the next few years will be a direct result of the impact that Brooke has made.”

Morgan Volz, William Tennent

Volz is well-liked and well-respected by her teammates and community, which became apparent when she was voted the top girls basketball player to watch in the Courier/Intell preseason poll.

The forward brought a true love for the game to the court, which was contagious to her young teammates. Named second-team All-SOL Freedom Division last season, Volz averaged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. This season, Volz deferred scoring opportunities to younger teammates Avery Kocur and Halie Staub, but managed to increase her points per game to 11.

Described by coach Laura Whitney as “a true student of the game who loves to get better,” Volz will head to Drew University in the fall.

Gabi Senior, CB West

Senior powered through injuries for much of her career, but never stopped working hard, determined to finish the season on a positive note. She did just that, leading the Bucks to two straight wins to close the season, with a thrilling season finale victory against playoff-bound Bensalem. In addition to scoring nine points, she had multiple steals and deflections.

Alexis Castro, CB West

A soccer standout who will be continuing her career on the pitch at McDaniel College next year, Castro made just as much of an impact on the basketball court as she did for her playoff-qualifying soccer squad. Even when she wasn’t among the top scorers in a game, Castro was leading the Bucks’ defensive efforts. As a junior, she recorded 20 rebounds in a game, which is believed to be a school record. This season, she became the first CB West player to reach 400 career rebounds since 2020.

Gabby Reichner, CB West

Playing behind a crop of talented upperclassmen, Reichner needed hard work and patience to break into the starting lineup, which she did during her junior season. Her continued growth and improvement offered a fine example to the team’s younger players. She had a memorable performance in the Bucks’ season finale against Bensalem with her excellent defensive effort against Amber Howard, a top player in the league, that helped CB West to the win.

Shining Stars: Best girls basketball performances from playoffs & close of regular season

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: High School Girls Basketball: These seniors left lasting legacy