The Ligonier Valley girls basketball team reached the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs for the first time in 2025.
Third-year coach Christy Clark-Hajjar hopes that it is the beginning of an annual occurrence.
The Rams finished 7-15 overall, 5-9 in the tough Section 2-3A. The section features Shady Side Academy, Greensburg Central Catholic and Avonworth.
The team graduated three starters — guard Bella Pacienca, center Sydnee Foust and center Jada Pope — from last year’s squad. Foust was the leading scorer, averaging eight points. She also averaged eight rebounds.
Returning starters are senior point guard Adleigh Myers, senior forward Abby Springer and sophomore guard Ruby Smith.
Hajjar said she will count on them to be leaders. She and assistant coach Mary Munsell are Laurel Valley graduates, each scoring more than 1,000 points in their careers.
Hajjar coached Laurel Valley for 15 seasons and was an assistant coach at Bishop McCort.
She understands what it takes to develop a winning program.
“We hope to be competitive,” Hajjar said. “In our section, every game becomes a battle.
“Our goal is to improve on our win total and reach the playoffs again.”
Others who saw action last year and are vying for more playing time, including starting jobs, are junior center Gabby Springer, junior guard Bella Dolton and sophomore guard Bella Constable.
Two newcomers who are expected to contribute are junior center Audrey White and freshman guard Alyssa Queer.
Hajjar said the squad has worked hard in the offseason and bonded with one another.
“One thing I like about our squad is that they never quit,” Hajjar said. “They give me 100 percent and are sports about it. They are nice girls.”
The thing that worries Hajjar the most is finding consistent scorers. She said it could come from anywhere, including from someone who has not made her decision about playing.
“I am open to take anyone if they decide to play,” Hajjar said.
Ligonier Valley tips off the season in the Jefferson-Morgan tournament Nov. 28.
The nonsection schedule includes games against games Yough, Valley, Windber and Derry.
The other section teams include East Allegheny, Steel Valley and Deer Lakes.
“Playing in a section like ours will only makes us better,” Hajjar said. “I just want them to go out and play hard and improve every day at practice.”
Ligonier Valley girls at a glance
Coach: Christy Clark-Hajjar
Last year’s record: 7-15 (5-9 Section 3-4A)
Returning starters: Adleigh Myers (Sr., PG), Abby Springer (Sr., F), Ruby Smith (So., G).
Other lettermen: Gabby Springer (Jr., C), Bella Dolton (Jr., G), Bella Constable (So., G).
Top newcomers: Audrey White (Jr., C), Alyssa Queer (Fr., G).
SCHEDULE
11.28, Jefferson-Morgan^, 4 p.m.
11.29, Carmichaels^, noon
12.2, Valley, 6 p.m.
12.8, Southmoreland, 7:30 p.m.
12.11, at Avonworth*, 7:30 p.m.
12.15, Steel Valley*, 7:30 p.m.
12.17, at Richland, 6 p.m.
12.18, Shady Side Academy, 7:15 p.m.
12.22, at Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p*.m.
1.5, Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.
1.6, Apollo-Ridge. 7:15 p.m.
1.8, at East Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.
1.12, South Allegheny*, 7:15 p.m.
1.15, Avonworth*, 7:15 p.m.
1.16, Windber, 7;15 p.m.
1.22, at Shady Side Academy*, 7:30 p.m.
1.26, Deer Lakes*, 7:15 p.m.
1.27, at Derry, 7:15 p.m.
1.29, at Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.
2.2, at East Allegheny*, 7:15 p.m.
2.5, at South Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.
*Section game
^Jefferson-Morgan tournament