Dec 1, 2017 By Adam Brewer for The 4 min read

After a 19-win campaign and after reaching the PIAA playoffs for the first time in school history, the bar has definitely been set high for the West Greene girls’ basketball squad in 2017-18.

The Lady Pioneers posted a 19-6 overall record, went 10-0 in Section 2-A for the school’s first section title since 2000 and clinched a spot in the WPIAL semifinals for the first time ever after a win over Rochester in the Class A quarterfinals.

West Greene lost a hard-fought game to eventual Class A champion Winchester Thurston in the semifinals and saw their historic season end in the first round of the PIAA playoffs against Otto-Eldred.

“Our goals going into the season is to win the section and improve our win total from last year,” said seventh-year coach Jordan Watson. “If we do that we should get a top four seed and a first-round bye again. I think on paper we are in the top five in Class A and have the potential to compete for a WPIAL title if we are healthy.

“Quigley Catholic, St. Joes, Rochester and Cornell are going to be tough, but Winchester Thurston is still the team to beat in Class A. We lost to them in a tight playoff game. We play them this season at their place in non-section action, so that will tell us a lot about where we stand and what we need to improve upon heading into the playoffs.”

The Lady Pioneers, who have made the playoffs five of the last six seasons, will try to repeat as section champions against the likes of Geibel Catholic, Avella, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and Monessen.

“I think we are the early favorite (to win the section) because we return six of our top seven players from last year’s team,” Watson said. “We have 13 kids on our roster with no seniors, but it does include six experienced juniors. Our players know how difficult it was to go 10-0 in the section last year. We can’t fast forward to the playoffs, we must win the section to get a higher seed in the playoffs.”

West Greene will be anchored by the play of juniors McKenna Lampe, Madison Lampe and Kaitlyn Rizor.

McKenna registered a team-high 18 points per game and had a stellar stat line last season with 6.6 rebounds, 6.1 steals and 3.8 assists per game. She has scored 902 career points.

Madison, who has 734 career points, also had an impressive stat line last year with 17.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.3 steals and 2.1 assists per game. Rizor tallied 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 3.5 assists per game in her sophomore campaign.

“All three of those players’ offensive numbers improved from the prior season,” Watson said. “They have all three played and started since they were freshmen, and now they are the older girls on our team and will be counted on as leaders. They all lead in different ways and will have great seasons. I think the things that stand out for them are their improved shot selection and their versatility.

“There will be times where all three will play point guard in a game. Kaitlyn can be our point guard or our center. We are truly blessed to have so many versatile girls that can play multiple positions and have a good overall skills set. I wouldn’t define them as guards or bigs, just as basketball players.”

The Lady Pioneers have depth with juniors Bri Goodwin, Ashley Cumberledge and Savannah Pettit, as well as sophomore Brooke Lindsay. West Greene also has a strong freshman class that includes Jersey Wise, Elizabeth Brudnock, Morgan Mooney, Dakota Filby, Bailey Fredericks and Kaytlynn Walls.

“We are very fortunate to have probably eight to 10 players that are capable of starting,” Watson said.

“I feel confident that our eighth best player would start for most teams around the area. We have much improved depth from last year. I am much more concerned with subbing rotations that I am with starting lineups. In my mind we have at least eight different starters.”