The 2025-26 high school girls basketball season will include the return of established leaders for some Butler County teams, while others will be counting on players to elevate their play after the graduation of girls who set the pace.

Though the upcoming campaign is sure to produce some surprises when it comes to individual stars, there are several players, based on past performance, who should be noted as the season nears tip-off.

Here are eight players to watch this year, listed alphabetically:

Mars’ Alexis Cashdollar returns this season after leading the Planets in a number of different statistical categories in 2024-25. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Cashdollar paced the Planets last season in points per game (10.6), rebounds (5.9), assists (2.4) and steals (2.1).

She recently accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Wake Forest.

Union/A-C Valley's Maddy Dehart embarks on her senior season and will be a four-year starter for the Falcon Knights. Butler Eagle file photo

After averaging a double-double (13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds) for the Falcon Knights last year, she will be a fourth-year starter.

Dehart possesses a very good perimeter shot for a post player.

Knoch’s Neah Ewing is the team’s top returning scorer. Butler Eagle file photo

After averaging 11 points per game last year, the Knights will lean on her for leadership on and off the court.

Ewing will also play a key role on defense, where Knoch plans to play more full-court man.

Seneca Valley will rely heavily on the experience and leadership provided by four-year starting guard Natalie Hambly. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Hambly 14.2 points and two assists per game as a junior. She is adept at playing both point guard and shooting guard for a Raiders team fresh off a WPIAL section title.

She will play collegiately at Pitt-Johnstown.

Slippery Rock’s Madison Romanovich (24) played a key role in the Rockets’ turnaround a season ago. (Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Romanovich, a Butler County first-team all-star last year, averaged 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game as a junior.

She will be counted on for production and leadership as the Rockets aim to build on last year’s district and state playoff appearances.

Karns City’s Naomi Venesky averaged a double-double in points and rebounds last year. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

She was the best player on a team that went 23-4 last year, averaging 11.1 points and 10 rebounds per game along with 2.3 assists and three steals. Venesky was a Butler County first-team all-star last year.

North Catholic's Brady Wehner is expected to be a leader on and off the court this season. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Wehner the state-semifinalist Trojanettes last year with 14 points per game while adding three rebounds and two steals, en route to Butler County all-star status.

With no seniors on this year’s squad, Wehner needs to have a calming influence on her teammates.

North Catholic's Sam Weir turned in a very productive freshman season last year. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

She averaged 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds to help North reach the state semifinals last year.

Weir (6-foot) recently received a Division I offer from LaSalle University.