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Waynesburg girls ‘turning the corner’

By Adam Brewer, For The Greene County Messenger 3 min read

After losing just one senior from last year’s team and fielding a veteran squad on the court in 2015-16, the Waynesburg Central girls’ basketball team has it eyes set on the program’s first playoff berth since 2003-04.

“It has been a very good and positive atmosphere around practice in the preseason,” second-year coach John Garber stated. “The girls are just more comfortable in our system and more confident in their play. We have taken our lumps over the years, but I feel like we are turning it around.”

As for goals for this year’s team, Garber emphatically expressed one major goal of the squad.

“We want a winning record,” he said. “It’s been a long time since this program has had more wins than losses in a season. We feel like we are capable of doing that and we are ready to compete in this section. If you get more wins than losses, than your other goals like the playoffs and competing for a section title comes along with that.”

The Lady Raiders went 2-15 overall last year and had a 0-12 mark in Section 4-AA play.

Waynesburg has 15 girls on its roster to open the season with seven seniors leading the team.

“We have some experience this season,” Garber expressed. “We have really talked about being positive on the court and playing with confidence. You have to play with confidence and you have to have confidence in your teammates. Sometimes the girls are too hard on themselves and they let a play or a bad quarter linger. You are only as good as your next play or your next shot.”

Two key components for the Lady Raiders in ’15-16 will be senior guards Kirsten Garber and Celine Monica. Both have started multiple years and have been captains that last few seasons.

“Both girls have been committed to the game of basketball and to our program,” Coach Garber said. “Both are athletes and are just pure shooters. They are very coachable and have a great work ethic that rubs off of the rest of the team. They will carry us this season.”

Other contributors that Waynesburg will need to get production from this season are senior forward Breanna Scott, senior guard Sarah Snee and sophomore forward Claire Garber.

“Both Breanna and Sarah are tremendously gifted athletes that show a lot of heart on the court,” Coach Garber said. “They are athletic and are tenacious on defense. Claire is our inside presence and we are looking for her to have a strong year in the paint for us.”

As for Section 4-AA this year, Coach Garber looks for another balanced year from teams.

“I think it’s going to be competitive top to bottom,” he said. “There are no off nights and you have to bring your best every night. I think Washington and Charleroi are at the top, but then it’s a question mark on who’s after them. I think we are capable of being a playoff caliber team.”

The Lady Raiders will start the season at home against non-section foe West Greene on Dec. 4.

Waynesburg will kick off section play at home versus Washington on Dec. 10 and will once again participate in the Geibel Christmas Tournament on Dec. 28-29.

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