Depth to play key role for Shaler girls basketball

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Tony Grenek appreciates the plethora of players he can deploy with the Shaler Area girls basketball team. The former Point Park coach believes this year’s Titans squad will be deeper than past seasons.

While the record may not end up quite as pretty, Shaler finished 20-3 and shared the Section 1-5A crown with Franklin Regional, Grenek believes this team could have the potential to be better positioned for the playoffs.

The Titans were bounced out of the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs by Mars. Shaler will once again be in a section with Armstrong, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Penn Hills and Plum.

“If we can get settled in, we may take our lumps here and there, don’t expect us to be 20-2, but I think if we can find a way to get into the playoffs we could do more damage and have more depth,” Grenek said. “We have 19 girls on the team and could do a variety of full-court pressing and half-court trapping. Last year, we basically had six kids.”

The Titans will be eager to find a replacement for graduated point guard Bayleigh Perez as soon as possible. Grenek, who said he has enjoyed the process of working with the players at Shaler, said the Titans’ offensive system will need some work.

“It’s been a slow process, especially on the offensive side of the ball,” Grenek said. “I always tell people, I don’t care how big you are, your team won’t do much unless you have a steady point guard.”

The Titans averaged 50.9 points per game last season. Shaler will bring back 5-foot-8 junior guard Reese Smetanka, who was a first-team all-section player. Olivia Gieraltowski, a 5-9 junior forward, will return and was a second-team all-section player.

“Both worked really hard in the offseason,” Grenek said. “What I really like is that we are much healthier this year and have more depth.”

The Titans will benefit from returning taller players. Emily Berger, a 6-1 junior forward, will return after battling injuries last season. Taylor London, a 5-9 forward, is also expected to make an impact, while Shaler also returns another 5-9 sophomore forward in Etta Warner.

Payton Fox, a senior guard, is another experienced returning player. Sophomore guard Allison Greygor was the first player off the bench last season and should find continued playing time.

Grenek, who is in his second season leading the program, is encouraged with how the program is growing.

“I’m having a blast right now at Shaler,” Grenek said. “I enjoy working with the kids. I think the younger grades have a lot of good players right now in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. There are a plethora of good athletes coming through the system.”

For this group, Shaler will need to adjust quickly to losing a few key pieces. Grenek knows it will take time to get settled in.

“If we can find a way to play smooth basketball, we will be good,” Grenek said. “That may take us a while. We have some nonconference games on the road and we will be battle-tested.”

Tags: Shaler