Senior Serena Carnahan would like the Plum girls basketball team to be in the best position to make quick decisions.
It’s a skill that will come in handy as the Mustangs lost their leading scorer and will have a group looking to blend youth and experience.
To cultivate that skill, the Mustangs are seeking their own way to stay organized.
Carnahan likes to have a strong structure in place.
“For my school, I use a day planner and like to have everything planned out a day before,” Carnahan said. “That helps keep me on track.”
Plum struggled last season, losing five of its final six games. The Mustangs, who will open the season by hosting Kiski Area on Dec. 9, lost to North Hills in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Plum coach Rich Mull said the Mustangs need to be more consistent this season. The Mustangs will need to find a way to replace the production of graduated 1,000-point scorer Megan Marston.
“I think we have to make better decisions and play smarter,” Mull said. “I think we’ve made strides in certain areas. We have to be certain that there are certain things that we can do every day.”
Junior forward Riley Stephans said the Mustangs have been working on their speed to compensate for a smaller lineup. Plum hasn’t been wasting time in practice.
“We’ve been doing a lot of fast-break drills in practice,” Stephans said. “All of the drills feature constant movement. We’re doing everything faster this year compared to last year.”
Plum will be in Section 1-5A along with Armstrong, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Penn Hills and Shaler.
The Mustangs want to dig in and be tougher on defense this season.
While Plum hopes several players will help fill the void left by Marston, Mull knows it will be important to play well on defense.
“We need to be more consistent on defense,” Mull said. “We can’t be like the stock market here. We need to know day-in and day-out what we’re going to get from everybody.”
Plum will have several upperclassmen looking to fill important roles. Senior guard Tatum Olczak and fellow senior forward Farrah Susko will be in the mix for regular playing time. Juniors Josie Sciulli and Gia Tavella also will provide important experience.
Sophomore Tamia West saw regular time as a freshman.
“A lot of people got good experience during the summer camp and playing in the fall league,” Carnahan said. “We are playing quicker. I believe people will be able to step up and make plays no matter how old they are.”
Stephans is happy with what she has seen so far. She hopes that if Plum can rebound well, the Mustangs will be able to make a run at a section championship.
How Plum ended last season has her motivated to play better.
“I only have two years left, and I want to make the most out of the time I have,” Stephans said.
Plum girls at a glance
Coach: Rich Mull
Last year’s record: 13-10 (9-3 Section 1-5A)
Returning starters: Serena Carnahan (Sr., G/F), Tamia West (So., G), Riley Stephans (Jr., G)
Top newcomers: Caydence Morgan (So., F), Taylie Auth (So., G), Kailyn Lafferty (So., F)