Petruska optimistic Deer Lakes girls can return to WPIAL playoffs

By: Michael Love
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 6:55 PM

Purchase Photo Options

The Deer Lakes girls basketball team experienced a big turnaround last season.

The Lancers won just four games and went winless in section play two years ago.

Dana Petruska returned to Deer Lakes in 2024 and began her second stint as coach of her alma mater.

A spark was lit as the Lancers came together to go 14-9 overall and 8-6 in Section 2-3A for a return to the WPIAL playoffs. After a 6-0 start, the Lancers won every other game until their loss to Riverside in the first round of the Class 2A tournament.

With a pair of starters back, other letter winners hoping to make an impact and several newcomers ready to step up into varsity roles, Petruska is cautiously optimistic her team can continue to produce positive results in and out of section play and make a return trip to the postseason.

The roster is limited to 11 players. In addition to four players who graduated, several upperclassmen decided not to play this year.

“Summer workouts went well, but we didn’t have enough girls to play in a summer league,” Petruska said. “The 11 girls we have this year are out to prove a point. They are working very hard to be ready for the season.”

Petruska’s farewell to last year’s four seniors included Anna Clark, a transfer from Burrell who led the Lancers in points per game (10) and added 7.5 rebounds. Graduate Olivia Ryan also was among the top rebounders with 7.5 a game.

Senior guard Gracie Spagnolo provides experience and leadership, and junior Josie Farster hopes to carry an even bigger scoring load after she averaged eight points and seven rebounds last year.

They all contributed to a defense that gave up just 36 points a game.

Junior guards Bella Burk and Tessa Hollibaugh, 5-foot-11 senior forward Sydney Sharkins and sophomore guard Delaney Derose also return, hoping to bolster a solid rotation.

Sophomore Sophia Blair and freshmen Molly Farster and Capri Bogan, Petruska said, are newcomers hoping to make their mark at the varsity level.

“There has been such a great work ethic in everything we do in open gyms and practices,” Petruska said. “There is just a great camaraderie within the team.”

The Lancers again will traverse through what Petruska calls the toughest section in Class 2A with Shady Side Academy, Greensburg Central Catholic and Avonworth at the top.

Shady Side is the defending section champ after going 14-0 last year. But GCC topped the Bulldogs for the WPIAL championship at Petersen Events Center.

Avonworth lost in the WPIAL quarterfinals, but it rebounded to make the state playoffs.

“My girls will play hard in every game we play,” Petruska said. “We hope to win the games we are capable of winning and be competitive every time we take the court.”

Petruska will get a chance to see her team in action at its tip-off tournament Nov. 28-29. Deer Lakes will welcome Yough, Sto-Rox and Springdale for tournament games.

“With those games, we hope to get some good experience for my freshmen,” Petruska said.

The Lancers then will face Valley and Hampton in nonsection action before opening section play Dec. 11 at East Allegheny.

Deer Lakes girls at a glance

Coach: Dana Petruska (second year)

Last year’s record: 14-9 (8-6 in Section 2-3A)

Returning starters: Gracie Spagnolo (Sr., G), Josie Farster (Jr., G/F)

Others to watch: Junior guards Bella Burk (Jr., G), Tessa Hollibaugh (Jr., G), Sydney Sharkins (Sr., F), Delaney Derose (So., G)

Top newcomers: Sophia Blair (So.), Molly Farster (Fr.), and Capri Bogan (Fr.)

SCHEDULE

11.28, TBA^

11.29, TBA^

12.1, Valley, 7:30 p.m.

12.4, Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

12.11, at East Allegheny*, 6:30 p.m.

12.15, South Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

12.18, at Avonworth*, 7:30 p.m.

12.22, Ligonier Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.5, at Shady Side Academy*, 6:30 p.m.

1.8, at Steel Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.12, Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

1.15, East Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

1.17, at Riverview, TBA

1.19, at South Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

1.22, Avonworth*, 7:30 p.m.

1.26, at Ligonier Valley*, 6:30 p.m.

1.29, Shady Side Academy*, 7:30 p.m.

2.2, Steel Valley*, 6:30 p.m.

2.5, at Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Deer Lakes tipoff tournament

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes