Making the WPIAL playoffs is a reasonable goal for many teams in the preseason.
But for Apollo-Ridge girls basketball in Section 3-3A, navigating through a difficult section might be as tough as kayaking the nearby Kiski River during foul weather.
The Vikings have to contend with the likes of perennial WPIAL favorites Seton LaSalle and Bishop Canevin and a quality program like Avonworth, which has made the playoffs 37 of the past 38 seasons.
“A goal for our team is to make the playoffs and win our tournaments,” senior Megan Ost said. “I try to keep everyone positive and be the person who gets everyone to do what they need to do and make sure everyone's ready for the season.”
Ost was a double-double player last season, averaging 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds as she lettered for the third time.
“We only lost one starter,” Callipare said. “But we only have one senior, and Megan's job is to provide leadership. She's been very good and coachable.
“We're still a relatively young team, but I feel a lot more confident than last year. I feel we're light-years ahead of where we were last year at this time.”
The Vikings went 2-10 in the section, 8-14 overall.
Also back is versatile junior Maddie Moore who, at 6-foot, can play both inside and outside. Lizzy Penrose is the returning point guard, but Callipare said she could blend into other roles.
Expected to contribute are freshmen Madison Marks, a 6-2 forward, and Morgan Gamble, a 5-8 freshman guard, along with 5-11 guard/forward Rylee Eaton.
“We have a lot of height coming back to our team, and that's good, too,” said Ost, who is 6-2.
Freshman Emily Bonelli and junior Hannah Pozzuto are pushing for playing time.
“We'll be a lot deeper than we were last year,” Callipare said. “We just didn't have the answers last year, but hopefully the investment we had pays off. Our goal is to be the most improved team in the section.”
Callipare said he won't hesitate to put a freshman in the varsity lineup.
“Nowadays I don't look at it as freshman,” he said. “I look at it as either you can play or you can't play. With AAU and summer leagues, girls are getting exposed to competition a lot earlier, so they're game-ready.”
Callipare is starting his 22nd season in coaching, five as Vikings coach.
Longtime assistant Steve Kijowski will be back on the bench with Callipare this year.
Apollo-Ridge will open the season at Springdale's Dynamo tip-off tournament against Valley.
Ost would like to join Apollo-Ridge's 1,000-point club. She is about 300 points from the milestone.”
“It's a tough section, but I love it,” Callipare said. “It's just the travel. We don't get home a lot of nights until late.”
