Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Balance, depth key factors in Penn-Trafford’s unbeaten run
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 2:15 PM
Penn-Trafford began as the week as one of only three undefeated girls basketball teams in the WPIAL.
While the unblemished run has been impressive, it isn’t altogether surprising to the team doing the winning.
Veteran coach John Giannikas, who is in his 18th season leading the Warriors (16-0, 8-0), thought last year’s team had this kind of talent, but the group was sidetracked by injuries.
Now healthy, watch out for Penn-Trafford.
“We had a feeling this offseason,” Giannikas said. “We had a quiet confidence we could be pretty good.”
Using a combination of balance and depth, the girls have raced to the best start in program history. No player averages more than 15 points, and they have the athleticism and stamina to play full-court man-to-man defense.
“It depends on whose night it is,” Giannikas said of the scoring. “They earned the green light, a lot of them. We get on them more when they don’t shoot it than not.”
The Warriors are closing in on their first section title since 2014-15. That team finished 21-1 in the regular season and earned the No. 1 seed, but lost to Penn Hills in the quarterfinals, 40-22.
The Warriors were section co-champions in 2013-14 and went on to win their only WPIAL title as the No. 7 seed.
Penn-Trafford had the second-best points against average in 5A at 34.4.
“Every team has an image,” Giannikas said. “Ours is probably, defensively. We have some kids who love to play defense.”
The Warriors’ nonsection schedule has sharpened their teeth. They have beaten 6A Norwin and Seneca Valley, 5A Baldwin, and City League leader Allderdice.
“They’re good,” Latrobe coach Mackenzie Livingston said. “Every girl can shoot the 3, and the two bigs (Kamryn Pieper and Lauren Marton), you have to pump-fake or they’re going to send it.”
Shootout on the Hill
There will be two girls games Saturday at the Shootout at Seton Hill at Seton Hill University’s McKenna Center.
The opening game features Bishop Guilfoyle against Norwin (8-5) at 6 p.m., followed by McKeesport (4-11) and Greensburg Central Catholic (8-3) at 7:30.
A boys game — Ligonier Valley vs. Greensburg Salem — will cap the opening night of the two-day tournament.
There also are five boys games scheduled for Sunday.
Bishop Guilfoyle is a District 6 power and the defending PIAA Class A champion. Norwin won WPIAL Class 6A last season.
McKeesport and GCC will meet for the third straight year in the Shootout.
Anna Leonard, the former Jeannette coach, is now coaching 5A McKeesport. GCC, now in 3A, is the reigning WPIAL 2A champion.
Brown out
What can Brown do for you?, UPS once asked.
If it is Aubrey Brown you’re referring to, how about a near-triple-double?
Belle Vernon’s fab 6-foot freshman put up 11 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a 49-48 win over West Mifflin.
Playoff rundown
The WPIAL playoffs are set to begin around Feb. 13. The annual release of tournament brackets is scheduled for Feb. 10.
Qualifying is slightly different this year. In sections with eight teams, the top five teams make the playoffs. In sections with seven or less teams, the top four advance.
Buzzer beater
Ligonier Valley snagged its second section win in dramatic fashion.
Senior guard Bella Pacienza came up clutch for the Rams, delivering a 3-pointer at the buzzer to down Jeannette, 38-36.
Sydnee Foust led the Rams (4-8) with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
Thursday schedule
Top local games to watch Thursday include: Connellsville (3-12, 0-5) at Norwin (8-5, 4-1) and Mt. Lebanon (9-7, 2-3) at Hempfield (8-7, 1-4) in Section 2-6A; Gateway (0-10, 0-6) at Franklin Regional (10-5, 7-0) in 1-5A; Kiski Area (9-5, 3-3) at Greensburg Salem (9-7, 3-5), McKeesport (4-11, 1-6) at Latrobe (8-7, 4-3), and Penn-Trafford (16-0, 8-0) at West Mifflin (2-10, 0-6) in 2-5A; Derry (3-11, 1-8) at Burrell (10-5, 5-3) in 1-4A; and South Park (8-4, 5-2) at Belle Vernon (7-8, 5-3), and Yough (8-7, 3-5) at Ringgold (6-8, 0-6) in 3-4A.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
More Basketball
• High school roundup for Feb. 8, 2025: Penn-Trafford tops Upper St. Clair to finish regular season undefeated• WPIAL boys basketball rankings: Week ending Feb. 9, 2025
• WPIAL girls basketball rankings: Week ending Feb. 9, 2025
• Westmoreland H.S. athletes of the week: GCC’s Erica Gribble and Franklin Regional’s Max Firestine
• Westmoreland County teams well-positioned for high seeds in WPIAL boys, girls basketball playoffs