Despite backcourt shakeup, Ligonier Valley girls enter season with optimism

By: Dave Mackall
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | 4:58 PM

Christy Hajjar’s second season as girls basketball coach at Ligonier Valley began with a thud after she learned of her starting backcourt duo’s departure from the team.

Hoping for a more experienced squad after a 5-16 record a year ago, Hajjar instead will begin a new year without leading scorer Marlee Miller and point guard Lindsey Gaskey.

Miller, who averaged 11.9 points per game as a freshman, also was the Rams’ second baseman on their Section 3-3A champion softball team and decided to spend more time concentrating on the spring sport.

Meanwhile, Gaskey, a junior, transferred to Class 5A Latrobe.

“It is what it is,” Hajjar said. “We’ll move on.”

Despite the defections, Hajjar insisted that the remainder of the team’s players were maintaining a positive outlook.

So, too, is Hajjar.

“I hope to be competitive in our (section),” she said. “We’ll survive.”

Ligonier Valley (2-8 in Section 3-3A last season) opens its schedule Nov. 29 against Carmichaels at the two-day Jefferson Morgan Tip-Off Tournament.

The team’s late roster shakeup has required Hajjar to retool her lineup.

A former standout player and coach at PIAA District 6 Laurel Valley before its merger with Ligonier Valley in 2010, Hajjar became the Rams coach just before the start of last season following a 13-year run as an assistant at Bishop McCort, where she was part of four District 6 championship teams and one PIAA runner-up.

“I will tell you, of all the teams I’ve coached, this year’s team has one of the best attitudes,” Hajjar said. “We might be lacking in some areas, but these girls are a very hard-working, fun group to work with.”

The Rams return senior forward Sydnee Foust and junior forward Abby Springer from last year’s starting lineup. Hajjar said senior guard Bella Pacienza and junior guard Adleigh Myers were candidates to join them in the opening-day lineup.

Others pushing for spots in the regular rotation were senior forward Cameron Cuppy, sophomore forwards Jada Pope — the team’s tallest player at 5-foot-11 — and Gabby Springer, sophomore guard Bella Dolton and freshman guard Ruby Smith.

While Ligonier Valley will be without its backcourt regulars from last year, the Rams have added size to their lineup with Pope.

“We’re trying to work her in there. She’s raw, but she can run the floor well,” Hajjar said. “I wish I would have had her last year.”

For Ligonier Valley, with just 16 victories in the past seven seasons combined, the goal is to establish sustained success, Hajjar said, referring to it as “everyone’s ultimate goal.”

“We need to build a program,” she said. “I keep telling the girls, ‘If you’re outmatched, you don’t quit. You just keep playing harder.’ I knew last year was going to be a battle, but all we want is for the girls to keep battling and showing improvement.

“So far, they are.”

Ligonier Valley girls at a glance

Coach: Christy Hajjar

Last year’s record: 5-16 (2-8 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Sydnee Foust (Sr., F), Abby Springer (Jr., F)

Top newcomers: Bella Dolton (So., G), Jada Pope (So., F); Ruby Smith (Fr., G), Gabby Springer (So., F)

Tags: Ligonier Valley