Penn-Trafford girls basketball team hopes to be better late

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 2, 2017 | 6:15 PM

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Penn-Trafford senior Mackenzie Aunkst will have to sit for a few weeks, possibly a month before she can join her teammates on the court this winter.

Missing time with an injury will give Aunkst time to watch the Warriors grapple through some of the growing pains of learning how to win.

Closing games is a major focus for a Penn-Trafford team that lost five games by five points or fewer last season, including a 38-36 defeat to Bethel Park in the first round of the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs.

Aunkst said she wants to see everyone control their nerves.

The Warriors open the season Friday against West Mifflin at the McKeesport Tournament.

“Hopefully, we don't have any tight ones this year,” said Aunkst, who tied with sophomore forward Bella Long for the team lead in scoring by averaging 9.4 points last season. “Our seniors will try to keep the younger girls calmer and keep our tempo up.”

Warriors coach John Giannikas said fixing crunch-time woes isn't something that's easily correctable. Determining the best combination of plays and players late in games must come organically.

Last season, Penn-Trafford didn't struggle with turnovers late, and it averaged more assists (10.9) than turnovers (9.9).

Where the Warriors didn't fare as well was at the free-throw line, shooting 56 percent (222 for 394).

“We took care of the ball well,” Giannikas said. “We had few turnovers. We didn't make big shots at the right time or make the free throws we needed. With how hard they are working, hopefully those shots will fall this year instead of rattling out.”

Bringing back four starters should help. In addition to Aunkst and Long, senior guard Rachel Casper and junior forward Stephanie O'Donnell return.

“It definitely speeds the process up in practice,” Giannikas said. “They are more comfortable and have been in some big games, some close games we've won and lost. They shouldn't be surprised or be able to handle adversity during game because they've seen it and been on both ends of it. We have to work on being on the positive end of it more this year than the negative end.”

Casper and Long were first and second on the team in 3-point shooting, making 33 and 31 3s, respectively. O'Donnell averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds.

With a mix of experience and youth, Penn-Trafford is hoping to close games and establish itself as a threat in the postseason.

“The team this year is way more experienced,” Aunkst said. “Hopefully, we can make a run and do better this year in the playoffs. We have speed and height.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford