Getting comfortable with new offense, Penn Hills girls add wins to resume
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Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Penn Hills’ Cara Crawford works against Franklin Regional’s Addison Musto on Jan. 22.
Penn Hills coach Robert Cash talks with his team during their game against Franklin Regional on Jan. 22.
Penn Hills’ Milani Oliver brings the ball upcourt against Franklin Regional on Jan. 22.
The Penn Hills girls basketball team found its way back to the fringe of the playoff race.
While the Indians would need several things to break their way down the stretch to sneak in, coach Robert Cash feels like the Indians have figured out the formula to be more comfortable.
Cash knew there would be bumps in the road with his young roster.
“We wanted to ensure our young kids would grasp a new strategy,” Cash said. “I’m proud of how they improved. It was a struggle at the beginning of the year.”
Penn Hills (3-14, 3-7) suffered through a six-game losing streak after winning a section game against Armstrong on Dec. 20. While the Indians lost their most recent contest against Shaler, Penn Hills had split its four games before that.
What Cash wanted to do was create diverse options. Since Milani Oliver and Cara Crawford would draw much attention, Cash wanted the offense to be more balanced. Cash has challenged his younger players to perform more complex sets as the season has gone along.
“We want to have multiple options on every play,” Cash said. “We want to have two or three options for every play. We want the girls to be able to see that and make a play.”
Penn Hills also has been focused on making defensive improvements. Cash said the team had trouble shutting down gaps early in the season. The Indians have tightened things up and allowed 46.2 points per game.
Penn Hills will have several chances to pick up important milestones. The Indians can test itself against perennial City League title challenger Obama Academy, which 1994 Penn Hills graduate Monique McCoy leads.
The Indians will also get another chance to play Gateway, a team the Indians defeated 41-20 earlier this season.
“We want to see growth,” Cash said. “Little by little, they are getting better. We’ve been playing better teams closer and haven’t allowed teams to get by us.”
Tags: Penn Hills
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