Mount Pleasant boys preview: Vikings鈥� new coach Malkowiak hits the ground running
It is safe to say that when Annie Malkowiak was hired to take over the Mount Pleasant boys basketball program, the team hit the ground running.
“I think we are as ready as we can be as we went at it all summer, from July 5 on,” said Malkowiak. “We have done nothing but work.
“If we didn’t go three days a week, they were disappointed. At open gyms, we had 20-25 kids a night up to the start of the season.”
Malkowiak, a close personal friend of Hall of Fame Duke coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski, said her outlook for the Vikings is steady improvement.
“I’m trying not to put any expectations on them, because everything is so new,” said Malkowiak “My only goal is to come each day mentally prepared. I don’t have to tell them to work hard and listen.
“I tell them to work to be one percent better than the day before, and if we can do that, just think where we will be.”
The Vikings, who only won five games a year ago, haven’t made it a big deal about Malkowiac being the coach.
“These kids didn’t care that a female was hired. They cared that the right fit was hired,” said Malkowiak. “I am trying to help prepare them for life, as everything you learn in sports transfers to life.
“They ask questions, and they are genuine.”
The Vikings have a deep senior class.
“We have six seniors, and they are a really good core of kids,” said Malkowiak. “Their parents have done a great job of raising them as they are just good people.
“They are like sponges, we hit it off from day one, and it is a good group of kids. I love being around them.”
The seniors core consists of guards Chase McCoy, Luke Rivardo, and Connor Pavlocak, guard/forward Nolan Harnish, forward Garrett Spallone, and 6-2 post player Dante Giallonardo, who returns after missing time due to an injury.
Other players Malkowiak mentioned were junior guard/forward Aiden Johnson, 6-6 sophomore Carter Unger, sophomore guards Jordan Grieff and Gage Valone, junior guard Richie Stoner, and freshman guard Kade Hutchison.
The Vikings play in Section 4-AAA with Brownsville, Charleroi, McGuffey, Washington, Waynesburg Central, and Yough.
“Yough is returning a lot of speed, height and athleticism,” Malkowiak said. “Wash High has a lot while Charleroi, Waynesburg, McGuffey, and Brownsville will be tough.
“But, we will be okay if we play hard, have the right mindset and compete.”