Greensburg Salem girls facing new challenges head on

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, November 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Greensburg Salem girls basketball coach Rick Klimchock never backs away from a challenge.

After finishing third in Section 1-4A and winning a WPIAL playoff game last season, the Golden Lions were elevated to Class 5A and graduated four players who are playing basketball in college: Kaitlyn Mankins (D’Youville), Ashlan Price (Allegheny), Gia Rosensteel (Carlow) and Mackenzie Span (Pitt-Greensburg).

Klimchock’s biggest job is finding scorers. Mankins averaged 15 points and Price 11.

“I feel we will play defense and rebound, but can we score?” Klimchock said. “Well, in our summer leagues and offseason tournaments, Mya Heasley scored a bunch for us from beyond the arc and drives. She proved to be a pretty good scorer.

“(Regan) Kerr is a jack of all trades. She can score on offensive rebounds and hit an occasional 3-pointer. She’s a great defender and ball-handler, and Blessing (Gantt) is a good low-post player.”

Other players he’s expecting big things from are freshman forward Vienna Jevicky and freshman point guard Bella Dinkel, sophomore forwards Patty Redinger and Sophia Beckerleg and junior forward Kiona Grace.

“We think balance could be the key,” Klimchock said. “We have two really athletic freshmen, and they bring a lot to the table. It’s just a big jump from middle school to high school.”

The move up a classification brings a big challenge.

The Golden Lions move into a section that includes Penn-Trafford, Indiana, Latrobe, McKeesport, Kiski Area and West Mifflin. Greensburg Salem moved away from powerhouse North Catholic, Highlands and Knoch.

The Golden Lions defeated Hopewell in the playoffs before falling to Blackhawk and Highlands.

Klimchock said Penn-Trafford is the favorite in the section, and Indiana and Latrobe have good teams. He figures his team will battle the other four teams for a spot in the playoffs.

McKeesport was 24-5 last year and finished third in the WPIAL. The Tigers graduated numerous starters.

Kiski Area won six games last year, and West Mifflin was 10-10 in Class 4A.

“It’s a tough league,” Klimchock said. “We prepared the team by playing in a tough summer league.

“We’re not rebuilding. We’re trying to reload by giving other kids an opportunity. I was happy with the work we did in the summer. We have a lot of players competing for playing time.”

Klimchock said one thing that needs to happen is getting healthy.

Gantt is slowed by an injury, and Dinkel, a first-team all-section volleyball player, is recovering from a concussion.

Greensburg Salem girls at a glance

Coach: Rick Klimchock

Last year’s record: 16-9 (7-5 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Regan Kerr (Sr., G), Mya Heasley (Jr., G), Blessing Gantt (Sr., F).

Top newcomers: Vienna Jevicky (Fr., F), Bella Dinkel (Fr., G), Ariel Beeler (So., F), Patty Redinger (So., F), Sophie Beckerleg (So., F), Kiona Grace, (Jr., F).

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem