Southmoreland girls basketball seeks rebound season

By: Dave Mackall
Sunday, November 24, 2024 | 8:02 PM

For the past 18 years, Amber Cernuto has been helping little ones get started in life as a kindergarten teacher in the Southmoreland School District. On the basketball court, she continues to be a leader as coach of the high school girls team.

You could say Cernuto enjoys teaching others.

How else does one rebound so enthusiastically from back-to-back dreadful records yielding five total victories (2-20 and 3-19)?

“I love the game of basketball. I’ve always loved it,” Cernuto said. “Actually, I like any sport.”

She also enjoys mentoring.

“I like to teach the kids and see them enjoy it. I like to see them get better, even if it’s just 1 or 2 of them at a time,” she said.

The Scotties’ roster consists of a meager 10 players, which represents generally less than the average number for a varsity team.

“Our numbers are low, but hopefully, we’ll improve. We have six players back,” said Cernuto, who is in her fifth season at coach of the Scotties.

Southmoreland last reached the WPIAL playoffs in 2020-21, Cernuto’s second season, losing to Knoch in the Class 4A semifinals. The Scotties eventually advanced to the second round of the PIAA playoffs, bowing to Blackhawk to finish with a 19-5 record.

Since then they’ve struggled, winning three Section 3-4A games during the past two seasons.

“We’ve been reminding the girls to think about our experiences together,” Cernuto said. “We keep telling them it was a rough year last season. We’ve got six players back, and I see the fire in some of them. The girls didn’t like what happened last year. It’s nice to see they want to improve.”

A pair of starters return in senior forward Olivia Aumer and junior guard Leah Moore.

Senior guard Lanie Moore also returns to the team after taking a year off.

“I’m glad she came back,” Cernuto said. “We’re excited for that because we feel she can help us in a lot of ways. She can be a role model for the younger kids.”

Junior guard Breonna Zaffina, sophomore guard Ashley Seder, sophomore guard/forward Maddie Bair and sophomore forward Addyson Billheimer are others with varsity playing experience.

While Aumer’s offseason regimen has impressed Cernuto, the coach said Seder, who saw considerable playing as a freshman, was expected to step in at point guard this season.

The return of Lanie Moore gives Southmoreland another reliable shooter.

Cernuto is hoping an emphasis on offensive efficiency will give the Scotties a better chance to succeed.

“We’re working on offensive strategies, and we hope to apply the successes in other areas to that,” she said. “Six of our underclassmen have been on successful fall teams, either volleyball or soccer.”

The Southmoreland girls volleyball and soccer teams qualified for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs, with the Scotties volleyball team advancing to the PIAA playoffs.

Cernuto said because of the team’s short roster, competition in practice has been fierce. All 10 players, she said, are candidates for playing time.

Guards Bailey Mains and Sayde Premus and forward Ava Keefer — all freshmen — round out the Scotties’ roster.

Southmoreland girls at a glance

Coach: Amber Cernuto

Last year’s record: 3-19 (2-10 Section 3-4A)

Returning starters: Olivia Aumer (Sr., F), Leah Moore (Jr., G)

Top newcomers: Ashley Seder (Soph., G), Lanie Moore (Sr., G)

Tags: Southmoreland