Monessen hires Janine Vertacnik as girls basketball coach

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 | 9:55 PM

Monessen on Tuesday night hired former Jeannette coach Janine Vertacnik as its girls head basketball coach.

Vertacnik coached Jeannette from 2006-10 and led the program to its first WPIAL championship before returning for the last three seasons.

She was 90-103 at with the Jayhawks.

Monessen went 3-18 last season. The Greyhounds averaged just 29 points per game. They have not had a winning season since 2011-12, also the last time they won a playoff game.

“I hope to be able to build the program back up to the great tradition it once had, through hard work and dedication,” Vertacnik said. “I'm going to try and establish a youth feeder program that was once their greatest asset. That is where it all begins. I have met with the girls and had one open gym. The turnout was great and their athletic ability and desire to win, I believe, will propel us to be successful in a shorter period of time that I had anticipated.”

The move will offer a much shorter trip for Vertacnik, who lives in Yukon.

She also coached at Greensburg Salem, Pitt-Greensburg and Yough.

Vertacnik is 20 wins shy of 300 for her career.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Monessen