Deer Lakes girls working hard to build winning culture

By: Michael Love
Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 6:16 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Despite winning just five games last year, Deer Lakes was in contention for a WPIAL playoff spot in Section 3-3A down to the final day of the section schedule.

A sweep of Ligonier Valley and an upset of playoff qualifier Mt. Pleasant put the Lancers in a winner-take-all game at Burrell for the fourth playoff spot.

A 40-24 loss to the Bucs thwarted their postseason hopes.

“We just struggled to make shots for long stretches in that game,” Deer Lakes coach Sam Salih said. “It was frustrating.”

But that was then, and this is now for Deer Lakes, which, despite featuring just one returning starter, senior 6-foot forward Layne Loper, has several players in the fold who have generated an air of optimism in the program.

“The girls continue to buy into the culture that we have been able to incorporate,” Salih said. “We might not be the most talented team on a particular night, but we’re going to play hard. We’re going to be physical and get after everything. I emphasize the deflections, going after loose balls and taking charges. The girls in this program fit that mode and how I want to see the team play.”

Salih said that additional positive vibes came from both middle school teams last year earning winning records.

“The seeds were planted for the next couple of years, at least,” Salih said. “I am really excited.”

The team is rather young with three seniors and three juniors and then a group of 10 freshmen and sophomores.

“I told those younger girls that they have to be ready,” Salih said. “A lot of them are going to play. I am looking forward to seeing which ones step up.”

Salih said Loper should have a big season.

“Layne had several double-figure games last year, and she was dominant in the post,” he said. “She had another good summer and has improved many aspects of her game. She was a young one in the lineup last year, and now it is her turn to lead. I am really excited for her to lead us.

“We have a bunch of hard-nosed kids who can fit different roles on the team. Practice is going to determine who kind of ascends to that starting five and who will be getting off the bench.”

Salih said junior guard Sophia Laurenza and sophomore point guard Gracie Spagnolo are solid players who can make a difference right away.

“They are going to hopefully help cut back on turnovers,” Salih said. “We had too many turnovers in games last year. But defensively, we only gave up 47 points a game, so we were in a lot of games and a lot of close games. It is important to be able to stick together and make plays in those crucial moments, and I think these girls are ready to do that.”

Senior small forward Nina Tristani, Salih said, has waited for her opportunity, and that opportunity is now.

“She is probably one of our more athletic kids in the program,” he said. “I am excited to see her put everything together.”

Junior Olivia Ryan, at 5-10, is a power forward in the lineup.

“She works so hard,” Salih said. “Every time I put her in the game last year, she did good things for us. She’s physical and a pretty good rebounder. She’s an undersized forward, but she plays bigger and can jump. She’s a team player who will do whatever we ask of her.”

Shady Side was the class of the section last year. The Bulldogs went undefeated in section play, earned the No. 1 seed for the WPIAL Class 3A tournament, finished third and qualified for states.

Apollo-Ridge, Mt. Pleasant and Burrell also hope to secure return trips to WPIALs.

“With the exception of Shady Side, most teams in the section took some graduation hits, and it’s going to be interesting to see how things shake out,” Salih said. “Shady Side is talented, but a lot of their kids are young. I like how several of the games will be competitive, and our girls are learning how to compete. That is part of the first steps to having a winning season.”

Deer Lakes opens its season Dec. 1-2 with a home tip-off tournament against Yough, Sto-Rox and Valley.

“We’re a work in progress. There will be some miscues, some ill-advised shots and other things that might not go our way throughout games, but I know they will give great effort while growing and improving,” Salih said. “I want them to be aggressive and play with energy. “

Deer Lakes girls at a glance

Coach: Sam Salih (Third year)

Last year’s record: 5-17 (3-7 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Layne Loper (Sr., F/C)

Top newcomers: Sophia Laurenza (Jr., G), Gracie Spagnolo (Soph., G)

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes