A quick survey of several girls basketball coaches about Section 2-5A in the coming season indicates Penn-Trafford should be considered the favorite.
The Warriors finished 14-9 overall in 2023-24 and return four starters from a team that lost to Lincoln Park, 43-42, in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.
“We had them,” Penn-Trafford coach John Giannikas said. “They were seeded fourth, and they beat us at the buzzer. That stung, but the girls are using it as motivation.”
Penn-Trafford finished third in Section 1-5A behind perennial power Oakland Catholic and upstart McKeesport.
“Our section has been pretty tough,” Giannikas said. “The girls have been tested.
“We do have a lot of players back that gained valuable experience.”
This is Giannikas’ 19th season as coach. He led the Warriors to the WPIAL Class 4A title in 2014.
Giannikas must replace two starters: leading scorer Olivia Pepple, who averaged 15 points and is playing at Gannon, and Elle Visco, who averaged 5.6 points.
Returning starters are senior forward Lauren Marton, who averaged 9.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, junior point guard Torrie DeStefano, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 assists before suffering a season-ending injury, senior guard Kamryn Pieper (5.8 ppg) and junior guard Hanna Weishaar, who replaced DeStefano.
Others who lettered include junior Olivia Weishaar, senior Bella Klobucar and sophomore Isabella Fontana.
“We’ll be able to go nine, 10, 11 deep,” Giannikas said. “This year we might not have a set lineup. I may go with whoever has the hot hand.
“The lineup changes may be game-to-game or week-to-week. I love our depth.”
A couple of newcomers battling for playing time are senior Bryanna Bennett and freshman Raya Johnson.
“With our depth, we plan on pushing the ball and playing pressure defense on our opponents,” Giannikas said. “We want to make our opponents play fast.”
Giannikas said he’s pleased with how the team played in the summer and fall leagues. He said the players are fighting for starting jobs and pushing each other.
“I’m going to ride the hot hand,” Giannikas said. “We’ll have a lot of competition for jobs.”
And while Penn-Trafford might be the favorite, Giannikas knows it won’t be easy.
“This is a good section,” Giannikas said. “There are good players returning, and there are a lot of good coaches. We’ll have our hands full.
“McKeesport is coming off a great season, Latrobe and Greensburg Salem return good players, Indiana is always strong and Kiski Area and West Mifflin have athletes. We like our team. We’ll see how things turn out.”
Penn-Trafford girls at a glance
Coach: John Giannikas
Last year’s record: 14-9 (6-6 Section 3-5A)
Returning starters: Lauren Marton (Sr., F), Kamryn Pieper (Sr., G), Torrie DeStefano (Jr., PG), Hanna Weishaar (Jr., G), Bella Klobucar (Sr., F).
Top newcomers: Raya Johnson (Fr., G), Bryanna Bennett (Sr., F).