Motivated by 1-point playoff loss, Shaler girls aim higher

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Hanna DeJidas still thinks about the Shaler girls basketball team’s loss in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

The Titans became one of the WPIAL’s top defensive teams last season by utilizing bungee cords in practice so the entire team knew how to move and work together.

Seeing all the work go by the wayside in a playoff game Shaler lost by only one point sent DeJidas into the offseason determined to make the next season different. Penn-Trafford eliminated the Titans from the postseason with a layup in the waning seconds.

“It 100 percent made it worse,” DeJidas said. “It was such a simple play. In that moment, everything got confused with our switches and where our coverage should be. It was a shock that’s how we lost.”

Shaler will open this season Dec. 2 against Avonworth at the Woodland Hills Tip-Off Tournament. The Titans finished last season 16-7 overall, their first winning season since the 2014-15 campaign.

Shaler will be in Section 1-5A alongside Armstrong, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Mars, New Castle and North Hills.

Titans coach Cornelious Nesbit said his players have lofty goals this year.

“Our kids have set the goal to compete for a section title. They want to get out of the first round of the playoffs,” Nesbit said. “They know how hard they will have to play to get there.”

Shaler will bring back four players with starting experience. Guard Bayleigh Perez, forward Jorja Bernesser and DeJidas all played key roles last season. Guard/forward Hilary Quinn will also return after missing last season with a torn ACL.

“I’m looking forward to bringing back some experienced players,” Nesbit said. “A lot of the players that we are bringing back played in the playoffs last season. They are also a big reason we made the playoffs.”

Freshman Reese Smetanka is also expected to contribute for the Titans.

Shaler played a suffocating brand of defense last season. The Titans led Class 5A by limiting opponents to 37.4 points per game.

Nesbit said Shaler is comfortable being in low-scoring games. The Titans can make that happen because of how they approach the offensive end. Shaler is always searching for ways to put players in positions to score where they are comfortable shooting.

“The biggest thing is that our kids understand what is a good shot for us and what a good shot is for that particular player,” Nesbit said. “We emphasize that kids take the shot that is best for them and know what the best shot is for their teammates. We want to put everyone in the right position.”

Shaler wants this season to end with at least one playoff win.

“This year, on my own in the offseason, I’ve been known as a shooter. I’ve worked more to be creative to get to the hoop,” DeJidas said. “I’ve been working on floaters and different ways of shooting.”

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