After strong offseason, Yough girls ready to show improvement

By: Jon Ramsey
Monday, November 25, 2024 | 2:28 PM

Yough girls basketball coach Brian Znavor began running open gyms with his team three weeks after the completion of last season.

“And we had very, very good participation a majority of the time,” said Znavor. “We’ve improved fundamentally and skill-wise, and I feel we are prepared.”

Znavor and Yough are returning some experienced and familiar faces to the starting lineup.

Senior forward Hailey Bock, junior guard Carly Fitzgibbons, senior guard Brooke Weiland and senior guard/forward Kadee Roebuck are returning starters.

While having a mostly rounded-out starting five, Znavor has a few newcomers who he believes will make an impact.

He said junior forward Leah Borris and sophomore guards Brooke Kowalski and Evelyn Gates will see varsity time this season.

After Yough went 9-12 overall and 2-8 in Section 4-3A last season, Znavor is looking to keep things simple and make steady improvement.

“We will look to increase pressure and evolve our systems with options and skill,” he said.

Yough will move up to Class 4A this season.

“We are one of the smaller schools making the jump to 4A, which will present a challenge to us,” he said.

Yough will join Mt. Pleasant and South Park as newcomers to Section 3-2A. Elizabeth Forward and Laurel Highlands were WPIAL semifinalists last season. Other holdovers in the section are Belle Vernon, Ringgold and Southmoreland.

The Cougars will also have to replace the production of 5-foot-9 guard Autumn Matthews, who averaged 17 points last season before moving on to Pitt-Greensburg.

Sticking with the trend of keeping things simple, Znavor doesn’t want his girls to try to do too much.

“I just want us to improve,” he said. “We want to become more of a program, something girls basketball hasn’t had at Yough in quite some time.”

Yough girls at a glance

Coach: Brian Znavor

Last year’s record: 9-12 (2-8 Section 4-3A)

Top returners: Hailey Bock (Sr., F), Carly Fitzgibbons (Jr., G), Brooke Weiland (Sr., G), Kadee Roebuck (Sr., G/F)

Top newcomers: Leah Borris (Jr., F), Brooke Kowalski (So., G), Evelyn Gates (So., G)

Tags: Yough