With the end of the season soon approaching, the girls basketball team hopes to reach a WPIAL playoff berth. The team must round out the struggles they have endured throughout the season if they hope to have momentum going into playoffs. Entering the playoffs with some big-time wins will hopefully help the team have the confidence they will need to win the playoffs.
“I hope that in the rest of the season, we get a few more wins to gain some confidence and maybe make the playoffs,” Brianne Casto (11) said. “I really just want the seniors to enjoy the end of their time playing for the team.”
Over winter break, the team participated in a holiday tournament. They faced off on the first day of the tournament against the Burgettstown Blue Devils where they lost by a score of 46-45. The next day of the tournament they took on the Monessen Greyhounds where they won by a score of 59-26.
After the holidays, the team took on the Neshannock Lancers on Jan. 6 and the Aliquippa Quips on Jan. 9 where they lost both matchups. With these teams both being division opponents, it has made the team’s path to the playoffs drastically harder.
The team had struggles in the early stages of the season, but that does not mean that their playoff chances are non-existent. The team is currently bouncing between 4th and 5th place in their division. In order to make the playoffs, the team must place at least 4th in their division. To do so, they must beat Shenango on Jan. 27, who they have already beat on Jan. 2 by a score of 43-26. They must also beat Laurel in both of their section showdowns.
At the end of the season, the team will part ways with three seniors, Olivia Henderson (12), Riley Tokar (12) and Anabelle Komlos (12). These seniors have been key parts of the team throughout the season. They have scored countless points, obtained a plethora of rebounds and provided assists to their teammates. Additionally, they have acted as mentors to their younger teammates. The team will need their underclassmen to step up next year in order to maintain their skill sets and team chemistry.
“It does not even feel real that I am a senior,” Tokar said.
“I feel like just yesterday I was a little kid. I have always said I can’t wait to be done with school, but I am sad that it is all coming to an end so soon”.
The girl’s basketball team hopes that they can get a few more wins on their record in the remainder of the season. They also are looking forward to marking their spot in the WPIAL playoffs. The last scheduled game of the season is on Feb. 6, when the team will face off against the Laurel Spartans.