Dec 4, 2015 By Jacob Meyer for The 3 min read

After a 2014-15 season with no section victories, the Brownsville girls basketball team looks to improve this season under the helm of new head coach Patty Columbia.

Columbia has never coached at the high school level, but she has 20 years of coaching experience at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School (K-8) in the Pittsburgh Diocese League. After a hiatus from coaching, which she filled her time with being a PIAA official for nine years, Columbia is excited for the opportunity to coach high school, something she said she’s always wanted to do.

“This is all new to me, so I’m really just trying to get my feet wet,” Columbia said. “I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Last season, the Lady Falcons finished 6-13 overall with an 0-12 record in Section 4-AAA. The biggest impact player who graduated for Brownsville is forward Madison Zimcosky, Columbia said.

Despite last season’s winless section record, Columbia is optimistic about the upcoming season.

“We did well in undergrads; we had a very good summer. We believe we can compete with everybody in the section.”

Columbia is looking for Maris Seto to be the leader of the team, and mentioned the senior forward is approaching 1,000 career points.

“All the way around I’m looking for her to be our leader on the floor,” Columbia said. “I’m also looking for her to lead us in scoring. I’m looking for her maturity and her presence on the floor to help bring some of the other kids up to the next level and get them where they need to be.”

One of the other top players on the team, according to Columbia, is Seto’s younger sister, junior forward Alie Seto.

Senior guard, and four-year starter, Celina Smith is a player — like Maris Seto — who Columbia is looking to step up and be a leader on and off the court.

“Celina has a very nice outside shot and she’s very strong defensively, so we’re looking for her to help us on the outside,” Columbia said. “She’s also a four-year starter, so we’re expecting her maturity to help the younger players, as well.”

Joining the Seto sisters and Smith in the starting lineup is junior guard Lyric Mosley and junior point guard Keyonna McCrae. Columbia is also looking for junior forwards Ashton Zimcosky and Jessie Braddock, as well as junior guard Hannah Batovsky to contribute off the bench.

Columbia said the Lady Falcons’ biggest strength will be their speed with playing a three-guard system. She also wants to see her team improve on playing as a team.

“We need to build on just working together as a team and bringing out the best in each other,” Columbia said.

Brownsville will host Albert Gallatin on Dec. 7 for the first game of the season. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.