Gateway girls basketball team hopes to take next step under Curtis Williams

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, December 3, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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Curtis Williams will be entering his third season as Gateway girls basketball coach and will be looking to continue an upward trend.

When he took over in 2015, he led the Gators to a 9-13 record. Last season, they went 17-7 and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals. In Year 3, he hopes to make a jump into championship contention.

He attributed much of the success to an attitude adjustment.

“We have girls who really want to be here,” Williams said. “We had girls in the past who didn't want to be here. We have about nine freshmen. It will be challenging, but we are heading in the right direction.”

Williams expects two or three freshmen to impact the varsity team but will rely primarily on returners, particularly senior Jordan Edwards. She committed to Division I Niagara before the season.

“She is the unquestioned leader of this team,” Williams said. “The team is buying into her. She has been a captain three years now and is a two-year, first-team all-section. She sets the tone on how we need to play, and these young girls follow. She is going to lead us to where we need to go.”

Complementing Edwards will be junior Mary Kromka. She has started since her freshmen year and is starting to trust her game, Williams said.

“Mary is looking really good,” Williams said. “She is finally comfortable with her body and what she is able to do. I think she is going to have a really big year.”

A player the Gators must replace is Cierra Christian, who transferred to Oakland Catholic after her freshman year at Gateway. Although Christian was a solid player last year, Williams said his team can be more well-rounded.

“We don't want it to be easy to defend us,” Williams said. “It is easy to defend a team that looks to just one player for a shot. I think our key will be diversity and ball movement. Ultimately, we need to play as a team. I think we will play much better as a team.”

The Gators' primary goal is to make the playoffs, but after a third-place finish in Section 2-5A last season, they know a section title is within reach.

“Our first goal is to make the playoffs,” Williams said. “Our biggest challenge is to win the section. Coming to battle with Oakland Catholic will be a challenge, but we welcome the opportunity.

“There are a lot of teams we can't look past. McKeesport will be a hurdle to jump over. Same with Thomas Jefferson and Woodland Hills. We will take it one game at a time, and the ultimate goal is to win a WPIAL championship.”

Gateway's quest will begin Friday against Connellsville in the Fayette County Coaches Association Tip-Off Tournament. The Gators opened last season with a 58-30 win against the Falcons.

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway