Ringgold girls preview: Lady Rams’ Owens optimistic despite low numbers
While numbers are low for the Ringgold girls basketball program this season, that hasn’t dampened the optimism for first-year head coach Devin Owens.
“I was hired in the summer and we had six or seven girls regularly in the summer,” said Owens. “We played in the Uniontown summer league and got a lot of good work in.
“It has been a process, but I am enjoying it. My expectations for the season to be above .500 and be the top three or four in the section. I want to be competitive and want to see where it goes.”
Owens’ first team will be young.
“We have three seniors, one junior, and the rest are freshmen or sophomores,” said Owens. “We only have one starter back.”
The lone returning starter is senior point guard Naomi McNary.
“She is a hard worker and I love her energy,” Owens said of McNary.
The rest of the starting lineup will be filled out by senior shooting guard Laniya Alford, freshman small forward Jada Gernot, sophomore power forward Kamryn Webb, and senior center Alexa Jolly.
Jolly did not play last season, but she has previous experience.
The rest of the roster, who will all be competing for minutes, are junior small forward Rihanna Fordham, sophomore shooting guard Kailyn Webb, and a trio of freshmen in power forward Skyler Scherer, point guard Addison Jenkins, and small forward Lillian Shvarts.
Owens is excited about his team’s youth, especially the deep freshman class.
“It is good because they get to learn and grow together,” said Owens.”By the time they are seniors, they will be a well-oiled machine.”
The Lady Rams are in Section 3-AAAA along with Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Southmoreland, Uniontown and West Mifflin.
“Based off of what I saw, (defending section champ) Elizabeth Forward is the favorite,” Owens said.
When asked what his favorite aspect of his team is so far, Owens couldn’t pinpoint one specific thing.
“The girls are working hard, and the future is bright,” said Owens. “All 10 work hard, want to get better, and want to learn basketball.
“We will have a successful season if they keep working hard and buy into the system.”