Shady Side Academy girls progressing toward championship goals
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Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Shady Side Academy’s Cameron Capel shoots a 3-pointer against Deer Lakes on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, in West Deer.
Shady Side Academy’s Leah Buford scores against Deer Lakes on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, in West Deer.
Shady Side Academy’s Cassie Sauer scores against Deer Lakes on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, in West Deer.
Shady Side Academy head coach Jonna Burke talks with Cameron Capel during their game against Deer Lakes on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, in West Deer.
Shady Side Academy’s Karis Thomas shoots a 3-pointer against Deer Lakes on Monday, Jan. 6, 2024, in West Deer.
There is still much work ahead for the Shady Side Academy girls basketball program.
But the Bulldogs have laid a solid foundation that should provide many opportunities as the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs approach. The Bulldogs are off to a 12-0 start and have shown plenty of punch on offense.
“They’ve come together and all found and accepted their roles offensively,” coach Jonna Burke said. “I think some kids have stepped up for us more. We aren’t completely reliant on Karis Thomas. She doesn’t need to score 30 points a game. She is capable of doing that, but she doesn’t need to. Any kids in our top seven can score.”
The Bulldogs are averaging 61.6 points per game this season. Shady Side Academy was tasked with replacing its top scorer and has adjusted well.
Karis Thomas recently topped 1,000 points for her career. The Bulldogs also benefited from bringing back returning starters Cassie Sauer and Leah Buford. Cameron Capel and Laila Banner have worked their way into new roles.
Burke said she has her team focused on attacking like the machinations in a popular arcade staple.
“I know this is a silly comparison, but we want our offense to be like a game of Whac-A-Mole,” Burke said. “If they stop one kid, we want someone else to be able to score. We talk about it all the time. If you are open, we want you to take the shot.”
Shady Side Academy has already cleared some challenging hurdles during the regular season. The Bulldogs beat Berlin Brothersvalley, a state qualifier last season, on a neutral court. Shady Side Academy was also set to play reigning WPIAL Class 2A champion Greensburg Central Catholic on Jan. 9. The game was too late for this edition.
The Bulldogs won their first five Section 2-3A matches.
After making the state quarterfinals last season, Shady Side Academy has hopes for another deep postseason run.
Burke wants the Bulldogs to continue on that path.
“I think we are a work in progress on both ends of the floor,” Burke said. “To be long-term successful, we must be strong defensively and rebounding. That’s the backbone of any winning team or program. We can get better in many areas.”
Tags: Shady Side Academy
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