Four returning starters give Pioneers hope
After a tough 2014-15 season, the West Greene girls’ basketball will look to rebound this season and get back to vying for a playoff spot out of Section 3-A.
Last year the Lady Pioneers went winless in 22 games and had a 0-14 mark in section action. Their numbers were low and they struggled with a lack of experience at the varsity level.
“Last year we were in survival mode with extremely low numbers,” fifth-year coach Jordan Watson said. “This year we have four returning starters that will be much improved. They were forced to play out of position a lot and do things on the court they were not ready to do. Last years’ experience will make them mentally and physically tougher this year.”
The four returning letter-winners for West Greene are senior guard/forward Sarah Courtwright (5-5), senior guard Mikhayla Post (5-5), junior center Emily Tedrow (6-0) and junior forward Marissa Rode (5-10).
“All four of those girls will be counted on to be team leaders,” Watson said. “Sarah is a four-year starter and she is playing at a high level. Both Marissa and Emily will have to control the boards and score inside for us. We are hoping that our offense is balance this year.”
Watson is excited about his incoming freshman class and expects players like Kaitlyn Rizor (5-9), Madison Lampe (5-5), McKenna Lampe (5-5), Bri Goodwin (5-7), Ashley Cumberledge (5-7) and Savannah Pettit (5-7) to contribute right away for the Lady Pioneers.
“All of our freshmen are capable of playing valuable roles on this team,” Watson stated. “They are freshman in school, but as far as basketball experience we don’t consider them freshman. They have played a ton of basketball for their age and are ready to compete at the varsity level. They bring a winning mentality to the team and expects to be good.”
With a total of 12 girls on the roster, Watson is counting on a solid foundation on defense that will aid the offense.
“We must improve at running secondary break and setting our half-court offense,” he said. “Our shooting is improving, but it’s not where it needs to be. So we must rebound the ball and create second chance points on offense. We will score points from our defense. Playing good, hard defense will be the main key in our success this season.”
The preseason has been upbeat at West Greene and Watson is looking for the Lady Pioneers to get back into the playoffs after last year’s absence from the postseason.
“This section is tough,” Watson expressed. “Cal and J-M returns a lot of talent and are going to be loaded this year. They both should battle for the section title. After that I think this section is wide open. We will have six teams fighting for two playoff spots. We expect to compete for a playoff spot and finish with double-digit wins.”
The Lady Pioneers will kick off the year at non-section foe Waynesburg Central on Dec. 4.
West Greene will then start their Section 3-A schedule at Fort Cherry on Dec. 10 and will once again participate in the Bentworth Christmas Tournament on Dec. 28-29.