Poling confident Lady Commodores can contend in new section
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Ashley Moger dibbles the ball during practices drills.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Sophie Shahan (right) tries to block Katie Balog’s pass during a practice scrimmage for the Lady Commodores.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
The Lady Commodores center Hannah Fell moves the ball across the court at practice.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Ken Poling is in his third season as coach of the Frazier girls basketball team.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Lady Commodores sophomore Brooke Poling (right) defends against senior Alex Muccioli (4) as junior Jovanna Isaac looks on during practice at Frazier High School.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Jovanna Isaac looks to pass the ball during during practice drills at Frazier High School.
PERRYOPOLIS — Frazier’s girls basketball team will be facing several new opponents when it hits section play this season.
The Lady Commodores remain in Class 2-A but have shifted from Section 4-AA to 3-AA where it will face five new teams along with holdovers Bentworth and Beth-Center. The new five includes last season’s WPIAL Class AA finalist Greensburg Central Catholic, Serra Catholic, Jeannette, California and Carmichaels.
“Wow,” was third-year Frazier coach Ken Poling’s reaction when asked about the new, tougher section.
“It’s exciting. It’s going to be a really tough conference. GCC, obviously, what they did last year and what they’ve got returning, they’re going to be something. Serra Catholic is always good. Jeannette, they have athletes, and Beth-Center has built a nice program over there.”
While the path to a section title would seem to have more roadblocks, Poling preferred to look on the bright side.
“It’s going to be tougher but if you play in a tough conference and you can make the playoffs then you’re battle tested and you’re ready,” Poling said. “I think it’s going to help us.
“And I know we’re going to be in the thick of things.”
One of the reasons Poling is confident in his team is a strong trio of returning starters, led by his daughter, 5-foot-6 sophomore Brooke Poling who was one of the top freshmen in the WPIAL last season.
She wasn’t about to sit on her laurels, though.
“Brooke’s put on a lot of muscle since last year with a lot of strength training in the offseason and a lot of running,” coach Poling said.
Hannah Fell, a 6-1 senior center, and Jovanna Isaac, a 5-8 junior are also back.
“Hannah Fell is taller this year than she was last year,” Poling said. “She’s really matured. She’s that defender and she has the ability to bring the ball up the court now. She averaged about three blocked shots and 13-14 rebounds a game. I expect her to post up higher numbers as far as scoring.
“Jovanna Isaac was a top player last year, too. Those are my three core starters, they’re set in stone.”
As for the rest of the starting lineup, Poling said he’ll be flexible.
“Ashley Moger is another sophomore who has a chance to start, as does Siera Twigg who’s a freshman,” said Poling, who is assisted by Haley King. “We have eight girls who can all play and which ones start will be determined by who we’re playing and what style we need.”
In addition to the 5-8 Twigg and the 5-6 Moger, the other players who are likely to receive plenty of playing time are 6-1 sophomore Sophie Shahan, 5-1 junior Lauren Mastowski and 5-1 senior Alex Muccioli.
The versatile Brooke Poling will be the catalyst on offense.
“Brooke plays a little bit of everywhere, not as much the point,” coach Poling said. “We try to move her around a good bit. We still like the ball in her hands. I can play her at forward, too, because she’s really good at posting up.”
The defense revolves around Fell.
“Defensively, Hannah Fell is in the center of it all,” Poling said. “She’s a great defender. We can do some different things because we know she’s in the paint, so we’re able to be aggressive and trap and push for steals. With her in there I don’t worry a whole lot about giving up easy baskets.”
Poling has had plenty of success in his first two years coaching Frazier with a 25-18 overall record and two WPIAL playoff appearances.
He has posted back-to-back 9-3 records in section play and has had the Lady Commodores in the hunt for first place until the final week of the regular season both years. He is 1-2 in the postseason.
Poling’s philosophy heading into his third season is simple.
“We try to get better every day,” he said. “We come in the gym and try to have a good attitude and work hard and out-work your opponents and be in better shape and go from there.”