Lady Raiders look to continue upward trend
After a nine-win campaign in 2015-16, the Waynesburg Central girls basketball squad will look to continue its upward trend this season in a brand new section.
A season ago, the Lady Raiders finished with a 9-11 overall record and a 5-7 mark in Section 4-AA, just one game from a playoffs berth. The nine wins were their highest mark since grabbing 10 wins in 2005-06.
The three prior seasons Waynesburg only had a combined seven victories.
“We have 15 kids on our roster and only one senior this year,” third-year coach John Garber said. “And, we only have one starter back from last year. This will be somewhat of a rebuilding year for us. We lost seven seniors from a year ago, but we will compete each and every night.”
Due to realignment, Waynesburg will move up to Class AAA and compete in Section 2.
Rounding out the section is Brownsville, Charleroi, East Allegheny, McGuffey, South Allegheny and South Side Beaver.
“Brownsville and Charleroi are the frontrunners in my opinion,” Garber said.
“There are some new teams that we know nothing about so that will be interesting playing against them for the first time and learning their styles of play. I’m not sure where we fit in yet, but I’m excited to coach and teach basketball to this group of athletes and I want it to be a positive experience.”
Garber is also excited to get some influx of players from the Waynesburg girls soccer team that won its section and made it to the Class AA semifinals in the fall.
“I believe that we will have a pretty athletic team overall,” Garber expressed. “We have a couple of new players from the soccer team. I’m really excited to work with them and teach them the game of basketball. This year’s players will have to learn quickly and step up.”
The Lady Raiders will be without their two top scorers from a year ago after the graduation of guards Kirsten Garber (15.8 ppg) and Celine Monica (15.7 ppg).
Filling the offensive void this season will be juniors Claire Garber, Shay Echegarey and Elle Hampson.
“We will have an offense that will try to get everyone on the floor involved,” coach Garber stated.
“We want to be diverse and use our strengths. We are going to be athletic and quick.”
Waynesburg will start the year on the road against non-section foe West Greene on Dec. 9, and will begin Section 2-AAA play on Dec. 19 versus South Side Beaver.
The Lady Raiders will be involved in the Geibel Catholic Christmas Tournament on Dec. 27-28.