Capozza striving to turn around Lady Rockets
Rebecca Capozza stepped in as head coach of Jefferson-Morgan’s girls basketball team with the task of turning around the program.
The Lady Rockets suffered through a 1-20 season, including a 0-10 mark in Section 3-2A, in her first year of the rebuild.
Despite an incredibly young roster they’ve already surpassed that win total this year.
Jefferson-Morgan opened the season with two victories in its first three games, defeating visiting Ligonier Valley, 51-32, in the Donna Furnier Invitational to snap a 12-game losing streak, and host Mapletown, 45-19, on Dec. 4. The win over the Lady Rams was J-M’s first at home since it beat Carmichaels on Dec. 1, 2023.
The Lady Rockets roster includes just two seniors and one junior along with three sophomores and five freshmen.
“This season we’re led by our two seniors, Ava Wood (5-foot-6) and Catelynn Teagarden (5-1), who set the tone for us on the floor with their leadership, work ethic and experience,” Capozza said.
The lone junior is 5-8 Krissa Snyder.
Sophomores include 5-5 Brelynn Wood, 5-8 Bailey Cervone, who is J-M’s tallest player, and 5-6 Beautiful Medlen.
The five freshmen are 5-3 Lydia Hrin, 5-6 Gia Marmie, 5-4 Kaylee Martin, 5-5 Mallory McManis and 5-6 Meghan Nusida.
Wood and Cervone each scored 14 points in the victory over Ligonier Valley.
“This group shows growth everyday and continues to develop both individually and as a team,” Capozza said. “Heading into my second year coaching at J-M, I’ve already seen us take important steps forward, and I expect us to be more competitive than we were last season.”
Jefferson-Morgan will again compete in the six-team Section 3-2A. A year ago the Lady Rockets were the lone team in the section to not qualify for the playoffs behind first-place Chartiers-Houston, Beth-Center and California who tied for second place, and Bentworth and Carmichaels who tied for fourth place.
Capozza hopes to have her team in contention for a spot in the postseason this season.
“Our goals are to continue improving each week, compete for a playoff spot, and establish a strong identity built on defense, effort and teamwork,” Capozza said. “If we keep progressing the way we have been, I’m confident we’ll put ourselves in position to achieve those goals.”
Capozza’s assistant coach is Rachel Rodriguez.
The Lady Rockets open section play on Dec. 18 at Bentworth.