Latrobe girls basketball team hoping to contend
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Monday, November 18, 2024 | 8:22 PM
Latrobe senior Carley Berk (left) plays defense against Sophia Drnjevich at practice Monday.
Latrobe girls coach Mackenzie Livingston directs practice Monday.
Latrobe senior Carley Berk plays defense at practice Monday.
Latrobe forward Maggie Maiersis, who is expected to play a big role this season for the Wildcats, plays defense at practice Monday.
Latrobe girls coach Mackenzie Livingston watches practice Monday.
As Mackenzie Livingston begins her second season as girls basketball coach at Latrobe, she said she feels like she’s already ahead of the game.
“Last year it took me awhile to learn the players’ names,” Livingston said. “This year I do.”
Latrobe returns one starter from last season’s squad that finished 11-12, 6-6 in Section 3-5A. That is senior Carley Berk, who averaged 12 points. She plans to play at Millersville.
The biggest losses from last year’s squad were Elle Snyder, who is playing at Evansville, and Belle Blossey.
“We have a hole to fill,” Livingston said. “But I feel we have players who will set up.”
Returning lettermen include junior shooting guard Brianna Havrilla, senior guard Bylee Bodnar and sophomore forward Maggie Maiers.
“Maggie will give us an inside game, something we did not have last year. We will be able to work inside-out offense.
“Carley has great leadership, vision and is a floor general. She did a fantastic job getting the girls to jell this summer.”
Some of the newcomers Livington expects to help are junior forward Miley Williams, sophomore point guard Emry Bridge, junior guard Lindsey Gaskey and freshman guard Sophia Drnjevich.
“We should be able to go eight or nine deep,” Livingston said. “We have a variety of scoring options. We are looking for people who will defend.”
Livingston was named the section coach of the year. Her team upset Penn-Trafford late in the season to qualify for the playoffs.
Armstrong beat the Wildcats in the opening round of the playoffs.
The team is now in Section 2-5A this season with Penn-Trafford, the conference favorite, McKeesport, Indiana, Greensburg Salem, Kiski Area and West Mifflin. Oakland Catholic dropped down to Class 4A, Albert Gallatin and Thomas Jefferson switched to Section 4 and Connellsville moved up to Class 6A
“Penn-Trafford is probably the favorite, and we we’re familiar with Indiana, Greensburg Salem and Kiski Area,” Livingston said. “We should compete for a spot in the playoffs.
“The biggest thing is there is always room for improvement. I am excited to get started.”
Livingston was a 2013 graduate of Blairsville, now River Valley. She played college basketball at IUP and Lock Haven.
Livingston was hired as a physical education teacher. She was an assistant coach for six years at Blairsville (four years) and the newly merged River Valley (Blairsville and Saltsburg, two years).
She replaced Mark Burkhardt.
Latrobe girls at a glance
Coach: Mackenzie Livingston
Last year’s record: 11-12 (6-6 Section 3-5A)
Returning starters: Carley Berk (Sr., PG)
Top newcomers: Miley Williams (Jr., F), Emry Bridge (So., PG), Lindsey Gaskey (Jr., G) (transfer from Ligonier Valley), Sophia Drnjevich (Fr., G).
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Latrobe
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