New coach overhauls Southmoreland girls program

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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When Southmoreland plays its first home girls basketball game, new coach Barry Collins will put his entire varsity team in the junior varsity book.

“We’re a team, and we’re going to start the season as a team,” Collins said. “Everybody has a shot to dress varsity.”

Southmoreland hasn’t had a JV team since 2023 and has struggled with low roster numbers.

Collins is trying to turn that trend in the opposite direction, with an eye toward the future.

He believes structure and fortifying the youth levels is the key.

“My No. 1 goal was to have a JV team,” said Collins, who has coached at his alma mater since 1999, mainly as the middle school girls coach.

Collins took over for Amber Cernuto, who resigned after five seasons, a short but plentiful run that included two section titles, two WPIAL semifinal appearances and a PIAA playoff trip.

Collins was a girls varsity assistant on Brian Pritts’ staff over two stints, the last in 2019-20 when the Scotties went 25-2 and reached the WPIAL championship game.

This team is a long way from the Pete, but Collins plans to instill the same fundamentals that historic team had.

“I hope we get talked about in a positive way,” the new coach said. “We’re not looking back. What is it Jelly Roll says? The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason.”

Collins also was a Southmoreland boys assistant for three years before taking over the girls program.

“We’ll have 12 to 15 girls,” he said. “We’ll have five freshmen that I coached in middle school. They will be the foundation (moving forward). We have two seniors, and we’ll look for them to lead the program on a positive note (this season). Everyone will have a role.”

The seniors are Leah Moore and Breonna Zaffina, returning starters alongside junior Ashley Seder.

The Scotties went 3-18 and only won one section game while ending the season on a 13-game losing streak.

Others who saw or should see playing time are junior Madeline Bair and sophomores Sayde Premus, Ava Keefer and Baily Mains.

A newcomer is Ava Hernandez, a sophomore who transferred from Geibel Catholic.

Freshmen to watch include Megan Potoka and Laney Lint.

“Our four sophomores are all multi-sport athletes,” Collins said. “We have girls who play soccer, softball and volleyball. We had some girls get thrown into the fire (last year). We need that JV program.”

Southmoreland allowed 57.7 points a game, an average Collins aims to conquer.

“There were way too many turnovers,” Collins said. “We were not protecting the ball. We are going to do a lot of situational and drill work.”

Collins also wants to develop a weightlifting side to the program, in addition to film sessions.

“If we do the little things,” he said, “the big things will take care of themselves.”

Southmoreland girls at a glance

Coach: Barry Collins

Last season’s record: 3-18 (1-13 Section 3-4A)

Returning starters: Leah Moore (Sr.), Ashley Seder (Jr.), Breonna Zaffina (Sr.)

Others to watch: Madeline Bair (Jr.), Ava Keefer (So.), Bailey Mains (So.), Sayde Premus (So.)

Top newcomers: Ava Hernandez (So., F)

SCHEDULE

12.1, at Geibel Catholic, 7 p.m.

12.2, Derry, 7 p.m.

12.4, at Armstrong, 7:30 p.m.

12.8, at Ligonier Valley, 7:30 p.m.

12.9, at Greensburg Salem, 7:30 p.m.

12.11, Elizabeth Forward*, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, at McGuffey, 7:30 p.m.

12.15, at Ringgold*, 7:30 p.m.

12.18, at Laurel Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

12.22, Yough*, 7:30 p.m.

12.27, TBA^

12.29, TBA^

1.5, at Mt. Pleasant*, 7 p.m.

1.8, South Park*, 7:30 p.m.

1.12, at Belle Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

1.15, at Elizabeth Forward*, 7:30 p.m.

1.19, Ringgold*, 7:30 p.m.

1.22, Laurel Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

1.26, at Yough*, 7:30 p.m.

1.29, Mt. Pleasant*, 7:30 p.m.

2.2, at South Park*, 7:30 p.m.

2.5, Belle Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Apollo-Ridge tournament

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Southmoreland