Lady Warriors’ Gibbs excited for upcoming season
Elizabeth Forward girls basketball coach Krystal Gibbs enters her eighth season with the Lady Warriors.
Elizabeth Forward's Joselyn Dawson puts up a shot against Blackhawk during a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal playoff game at West Allegheny last season.
The Elizabeth Forward girls basketball team upset Beaver to make the 2021 WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals and earn a trip to the PIAA tournament.
With two starters back, as well as several key players who earned time last season, it is a safe bet that eighth-year Elizabeth Forward head coach Krystal Gibbs is excited.
However, Gibbs knows nothing is handed to anyone and expects her team to work hard as the Lady Warriors aim for their goals.
鈥淲hile my expectations don鈥檛 change much from season to season, our first goal is to be competitive in the section,鈥� said Gibbs. 鈥淥nce this is established, we move to wanting to win the section and make the playoffs.
鈥淲e also want to win the WPIAL and see what we could do in the states.鈥�
The two returning starters are senior Joselyn Dawson and junior Alyssa Terza.
鈥淛oselyn has a very calm poise to her that will benefit our team,鈥� Gibbs said. 鈥淪he sunk big free throws in our Beaver game, is a strong player and drives well to the hoop.
鈥淎lyssa is built to be a forward in high school basketball, but she can shoot like a guard.鈥�
Gibbs is looking at both as leaders.
鈥淩ight now, I look for leadership out of my lone senior Joselyn Dawson,鈥� Gibbs said. 鈥淗owever, Alyssa Terza is really coming into a vocal leadership role on the team, as well.鈥�
Two other key returners are sophomores Chloe Zombek and Michelle Jellison.
鈥淐hloe played big minutes for us and is very smart with the ball,鈥� said Gibbs. 鈥淢ichelle will be in a big man position and did a lot of work in the offseason to refine her basketball skills and her physical fitness.鈥�
The Lady Warriors are in Section 3-AAAA with Belle Vernon, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Southmoreland, Uniontown and West Mifflin.
鈥淭he top teams in the section are Belle Vernon, Southmoreland and hopefully, we are in there, as well,鈥� Gibbs said. 鈥淔or us to be successful, we will have to play with grit, tenaciousness, comradery and poise.
鈥淚f we do, they will win games, enjoy playing and developing relationships with their teammates.鈥�