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Johnson thinks the Lady Falcons ready to turn corner

By Kevin Harrison for The 4 min read
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Lori C. Padilla

Lady Falcons coach Ken Johnson.

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Connellsville girls varsity basketball team

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Connellsille seniors Sarah Layton, Noel Marietta

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Basketball standouts Molly Bauer, Abbey Davis

Connellsville girls head basketball coach Ken Johnson thinks this might be the year his program will start to turn the corner and become a real factor in their section.

The Lady Falcons will return only two seniors this year in Sarah Layton and Noelle Marietta, but Johnson is looking to his juniors to step up a carry most of the load.

“We’ve been playing and working out all summer and I like what I’ve seen from the girls. They’re starting to get after people with a little more confidence,” he said. “When I got here I felt I came in with a talented group of freshmen and now they’re juniors. This is the year we were expected to do some big things and I think we can do that.”

Leading that junior class is Abbey Davis, who was an honorable mention all-section performer last year. Molly Bauer, a 6-4 center, plus guards Madison Wiltrout and Allie Grimm are also part of that junior class.

“I wouldn’t say I have the best basketball players in the section, but I think I have a good group of athletes that can compete with anyone,” said Johnson.

Johnson says the early workouts have been good, with the younger players coming in and pushing the more experienced players. He also said the upperclassmen doing their best to lead the underclassmen down the right path.

In looking at Wiltrout, Johnson is not sure when she might be ready. She is a state champion javelin thrower and is recovering from elbow surgery.

“I don’t know when we will have her back. She comes to practice and works on things with her left hand and staying in shape,” he said. “She’s a great athlete and I want her to be in the right mindset when she gets back. With Molly and Abbey, I have some pieces coming back. What I’m most excited about is that I’ll be able to substitute more, especially at the guard position and not lose much.”

Johnson says the girls are pretty much similar in ability, which he feels will allow him to be more aggressive on the ball. He says he’ll be able to figure out more of a rotation after a couple of scrimmages.

Coaches always look for players that do things to catch their eye. Right now Johnson said freshman Zoey Youdell has done some good things in practice and had a good fall league.

“I’m looking for Allie Grimm to help us this year,” he said. “She played soccer, but is just a good athlete. She’s a leader and knows what she is supposed to do which makes my job easier. She and Molly are like my coaches on the floor.”

Johnson said one thing he is pleased with is the girls are showing more of a willingness to bump bodies during the game. To explain, he has seen more players leave the feminine side on the bench become athletes on the floor.

“I’ve had times when they don’t go as hard for loose balls playing more like a girly-girl,” he said. “But, I have seen them flip the script and get feisty out there. If I can get them to leave the feisty switch on from November to March when you’re playing the game we’ll be in good shape.”

Johnson thinks Norwin will still be the team to beat in the section, but several teams have lost bodies to graduation and thinks the Lady Falcons have enough ability this year to step it up and challenge for a playoff berth.

(See more photos with full story on our website.)

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