By Tom Robinson, NEPABasketball.com
YATESVILLE – The return of five seniors with starting experience has combined with some speedy new additions in the backcourt to get Pittston Area off to a strong start in girls basketball.
The Lady Patriots finished the December portion of their schedule at 5-2 when they defeated rival Wyoming Area Monday.
“I have six seniors and five of them started at one point or another last year,” Pittston Area coach Kathy Healey said. “We have a good mix of seniors; good leadership.
“They have good chemistry because they’ve been together since sixth grade.”
Center Hannah Getz, coming off a team Most Valuable Player award in the Tigue-Denisco Cup Game with Wyoming Area, is the top scorer in what has been an extremely balanced attack.
Forward/guards Lily Savoy and Emma Coles and guards Jada Sharp and Nicole Zambetti are the other experienced seniors who form the starting lineup.
Freshman guard Kallie Booth provides a spark as the first player off the bench.
“The game kind of goes up a notch when she goes in,” Healey said. “She’s quick.
“ … She’s just a great addition to our team as a freshman. There are times she makes everybody go. She starts their engines.”
Junior guards Kendall Tigue and Bernadette Lieback also have some experience and are playing in the backcourt.
Sam Christian is the team’s other senior.
Amanda Fath is a 6-foot sophomore center, who played on the freshman team last season and freshmen Taylor Baiera and Ava Callahan are others who are beginning to see playing time.
The Lady Patriots, who open Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 play Jan. 2 at Dallas, are more than halfway to last season’s win total. They went 6-10 in the WVC and 9-14 overall last season.
10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WVC DIVISION 1 GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://www.nepabasketball.com/2019-20/Articles/10ThingsWVC1Girls.
