Behind veteran frontcourt, Brentwood girls in position to contend

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 3, 2023 | 11:01 AM

The Brentwood girls basketball team’s recipe for success includes a little height mixed in with a solid dose of experience.

Experience-wise, the Spartans have three returning starters in Mia March, Jessica Yee and Paige Boehm, along with last year’s top reserve, Ay’Maree Henry.

As for frontcourt height, March is a 5-10 senior, Boehm is a 5-11 junior and Henry is a 6-0 junior.

“Our coaching staff is very optimistic about this year’s team,” said Rachel Thomas, Brentwood’s veteran coach. “We expect to be very competitive overall and contend in our section, which hopefully will transfer to a successful playoff run.

“The girls are working hard and showing improvement every day.”

Top sophomores include guards Tafssira Garga Gambari and Madalyn Fry and forward Lila Tinker.

“Our sophomore trio has shown tremendous growth from last year,” Thomas said. “Our incoming freshmen are adjusting extremely well to the different demands and expectations of high school basketball.”

Top freshmen include Anna Covert, Tori Gidias and Delaney Rosing.

One thing Brentwood does not have this season is a boatload of players; the Spartans don’t have the numbers to run a junior varsity program.

“It’s unfortunate that we do not have a JV season, but the underclassmen have handled themselves very well,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to the season with these young ladies. They bring a lot of heart, energy and determination to practice every day.”

Brentwood is a member of Section 2-2A along with Burgettstown, the defending champion, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Northgate and Sto-Rox.

Burgettstown ran through section play with a 10-0 record last season. Brentwood finished second at 8-2, followed by Fort Cherry (6-4), Carlynton (4-6), Sto-Rox (1-9) and Northgate (1-9).

The Spartans, who were seeded No. 8 for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs, ended up 14-12 overall after defeating No. 9 Clairton, 49-43, in the first round and losing to No. 1 seed and eventual WPIAL champion Shenango, 43-39, in the quarterfinals.

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