Dec 12, 2025 By Rob Burchianti 4 min read

West Greene’s girls basketball team switched coaches last year but still kept rolling along.

In Ben Brudnock’s first year at the helm the Lady Pioneers went 16-9 overall, finished fourth in Section 2-A at 8-6 to qualify for the postseason for the ninth year in a row, and won a WPIAL playoff game for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

The West Greene playoff machine doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down any time soon.

“I like our chances because I like our girls,” Brudnock said. “They’re multi-sport winners who show up and compete every day, every season.”

The Lady Pioneers likely starting lineman includes two returning full-time starters — 5-foot-7 senior guard/forward Kendra Tharp and 5-7 junior guard/forward Madelyn Roberts — two returning part-time starters — 5-2 junior guard Sammi Zimmerman and 6-0 junior center Chloe Harris — and 5-0 sophomore guard Jillissa Yeater.

Tharp averaged 16 points and 10.7 rebounds per game last season.

“A double-double machine,” said Brudnock, noting she had 20 such performances a year ago. “Kendra is one of the top inside-outside scorers in the classification. She can step out and drain the 3, lead the break, or crash the boards for second-chance points. She’s great at creating space in traffic. She’s the best ‘high point’ athlete I’ve ever coached.”

Roberts, who averaged 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, showed her explosiveness with a 41-point game in a win over WPIAL runner-up Clairton.

“Madelyn is a quick-release shooting forward who drained 53 3-pointers as a sophomore,” Brudnock said. “She’s expanding her game with improved scoring drives off the dribble.”

Zimmerman will run the offense.

“Sammi’s our most reliable ball handler and distributor,” Brudnock said. “She showed her potential in a big regular-season win over Serra Catholic last season with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.”

Harris started last year whenever Brudnock opted to go to a bigger lineup.

“Chloe can block shots and finish inside with a soft touch,” Brudnock said. “She had six or more rebounds in seven games last season.”

Yeater adds a reliable shooter, a fast-break scorer and a strong defender to the starting five.

“Jillissa will team with Sammi at the front of our press and assume Marissa Tharp’s role of hounding our opponent’s point guard,” Brudnock said.

Key reserves will be Brudnock’s daughter, Katie Brudnock (5-3 junior guard), Eryka Hackney (5-4 senior guard/forward), and Kenzlee Hill (5-2 freshman guard) in the backcourt, and Ava Shipman (5-4 sophomore forward/center) and Kendall Barner 5-10 freshman center) in the post.

“Our DNA for success is unchanged,” Brudnock said. “Use our speed and depth to pressure teams end-to-end and create transition points. We have four outside shooting threats who can bust most zones. When that happens, we can spread the floor and beat teams off the dribble.”

Brudnock will vary his starting lineup at times.

“Depending on matchups, we can use an all-guard unit or go taller with Harris and Barner,” he said. “Eight-nine players should see meaningful minutes as the season develops.

“Rebounding, especially when we go ‘small ball,’ will be critical. We’ll also play more man defense than a year ago, which is crucial in a section full of quality guards who can drain 3s.”

West Greene is again in Section 2-A along with defending section champion Geibel Catholic and fellow playoff teams Clairton and Serra Catholic, along with Bishop Canevin, Monessen, Avella and Mapletown.

“Our section will again be a grind,” Brudnock said. “The amount of returning talent can’t be ignored. Geibel and Serra have backcourts as good as any team in the state. Canevin is always solid and Clairton is out to prove they can still win without Iyanna Wade.

“There’s nowhere to hide but I think we’ve got a versatile and veteran group that knows how to win.”

Brudnock will be assisted by Kirsten Shannon and Kolton Rush.