Strong returning cast sparks optimism in Franklin Regional girls program

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The thought of hanging a section banner on the wall brings a smile to Bernie Pucka’s face. It almost makes him giddy. He hunts pheasant and deer, but he would love to bag a section.

“That would be … incredible,” the fourth-year coach of the Franklin Regional girls basketball team said.

For now, he’ll settle for a playoff spot.

Pucka has yet to make the WPIAL playoffs with the Panthers, but he has high hopes with five starters back and some complementary talent coming off the bench.

Franklin Regional has not won a section since 1979.

“That’s a long time ago,” Pucka said. “I was 1 (year old). There is a lot to play for.”

The Panthers finished 7-14 last season and rallied to win four of their final five to finish 6-6 in Section 1-5A, a game out of a possible playoff spot. They needed Kiski Area to upset Penn Hills on the final night of the regular season to have a chance to get in.

“We went to a couple games (to watch),” Pucka said. “It was kind of nerve-racking.

“This year, we don’t want to have it come down to what someone else does. We need to take care of our own business.”

Point guard Angelina Brush, now at Westminster, went down last spring with a knee injury, so Franklin Regional had to adjust.

“We had girls step up,” Pucka said. “They had to move around (in the lineup), and they gained a lot of experience.”

The five girls who started throughout the season include senior guards Madison DeRiggi, Addison Musto and Anna Novelli, senior 6-foot forward Toryn Fulton and sophomore guard Chloe Pucka.

DeRiggi brings a fiery personality to the court and will be a leader in the backcourt. Fulton, a South Florida softball commit, will again provide size and experience.

“This is the first group we’ve had for their whole high school career,” coach Pucka said. “The seniors now were freshmen when we started.”

The rotation could stretch 10 deep, with senior guard Sierra Downs, junior guard Gemma Sadoski and sophomore guard Mia Brush looking to contribute.

A pair of freshmen could also figure into the mix in Katherine Yaniga and Alyssa Bridges.

Bridges’ father, Terrell, was a 6-foot-6 center who played at Duquesne.

“We had a great offseason,” coach Pucka said. “I gave them a little break after last season. They came back energized. They asked me when they could get into the gym.”

Former Plum standout Krista Pietropola will be Pucka’s main assistant again.

“I will be the defensive coordinator,” Pucka said, “and she will call the offense. We’ll meet in the middle.”

A new assistant will be Julianna Skowron, a former player at Oakland Catholic and Allegheny College.

Pucka wants defense to be his team’s catalyst.

“All fall we’ve been working on backcourt pressuring,” he said. “I want an up-tempo game.”

Section 1-5A has undergone changes. Its lineup of teams now includes Franklin Regional, Armstrong, Fox Chapel, Gateway, Penn Hills, Plum and Shaler.

Armstrong, Fox Chapel and Shaler are the newcomers. Kiski Area, Indiana and Woodland Hills moved out.

Franklin Regional girls basketball at a glance

Coach: Bernie Pucka

Last year’s record: 7-14, 6-6 Section 1-5A

Returning starters: Madison DeRiggi (Sr., G), Toryn Fulton (Sr., F), Addison Musto (Sr., G), Anna Novelli (Sr., G), Chloe Pucka (So., G)

Top newcomers: Alyssa Bridges (Fr., F), Mia Brush (So., G), Sierra Downs (Sr., G) Gemma Sadoski (Jr., G); Katherine Yaniga (Fr., G)

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

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