Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Ligonier Valley’s Sydnee Foust

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, December 9, 2024 | 9:40 AM

The Ligonier Valley girls basketball team finished last season with a 5-16 overall record and a 2-8 mark in section play, and over the offseason, the Rams saw significant roster changes.

Leading scorer Marlee Miller chose to focus on softball, and point guard Lindsey Gaskey transferred to Latrobe.

That makes it sound like Ligonier Valley is facing a big challenge this season, but it’s something senior Sydnee Foust is very much looking forward to tackling.

“Yeah, last year was rough. This year, we’re all trying to come together and play more as a team,” Foust said. “Last year was more separation between the players, and this year, we’re just trying to work on that and work as a team more.”

Foust, a team captain, is one of two returning starters for the Rams.

She feels confident in the rest of the group, some of whom have never logged minutes at the varsity level.

“Yeah, we did lose a lot of talent and a lot of skill,” Foust said. “We have people that are willing to step up and take those places. I’m feeling very optimistic right now.”

Foust is also optimistic about coach Christy Hajjar’s second year with the team.

“Our coach just really expects us to lead the team, bring everybody together, make it feel like an atmosphere that you want to be in,” Foust said. “And just lead on the court and as well as off the court.”

Ligonier Valley split its first two contests, a 41-20 win vs Carmichaels and a 51-19 loss against Beth Center.

The Rams’ first four games are nonsection matchups, providing time to build chemistry before a Section 2-3A game against Avonworth on Dec. 12.

“We played very well on (Nov. 29) as a team. That just came from our point guard. She shut their point guard down,” Foust said. “Yeah, we did suffer a loss (on Nov. 30), but it’s still early and we’re feeling very good about the season as well.”

Foust is also the starting catcher for Ligonier Valley’s softball team.

Foust is leaning toward attending Seton Hill to play softball and is planning on going down the biology/pre-med track there.

This week, Foust took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with basketball?

I started playing basketball when I was in third grade. It was one of the only sports offered. I went to United. It was one of the only sports offered, and all my friends started playing, and I have played ever since.

What are your team and personal goals for the rest of the year?

I know last year we had a lot of excuses from some players as to why we weren’t performing very well. So, to eliminate that completely. Then for myself, to just continue to lead my team, set a good example and then perform well on the court for them.

How important are nonsection games to establish chemistry?

Yeah, they’re very important. Two of the three (new) starters, one of them has never played varsity, and then another one played last year. That’s the first time we ever really played together. These nonsection games coming up are important just to build a bond, build a connection between everybody and, hopefully, cement some relationships on the court.

How do you balance playing basketball and softball?

Yeah, so I did actually just recently have a softball tournament, and I had to tell my coach that I missed a Friday practice, which wasn’t a big deal because we had a scrimmage on Monday. She knows that softball, it’s very important to me. But when basketball is in season, that’s what I’m focusing on. Softball is a little bit pushed to the side, and she understands. We work together to work through that and allow me to play those sports and perform well in both.

Is there anything from one sport that helps with the other?

Definitely catching softball, I’ve caught for over five or six years. The catcher is the leader on the field, right under the pitcher. I can see everything that’s happening, I have to let everybody know what to do. That carries into my basketball as well and helps me be a leader on the court.

What’s one thing that people don’t know about you?

A lot of people do know this about me, but I have a really big family. My parents have six kids. They have to juggle a lot of stuff on any given night. I have practice. My brother has practice. My older brother has to get one of my siblings and get them off the bus. It’s a lot for my parents. I’m really grateful that they’re able to allow me and all my siblings to do what we love and play the sports that we like.

Tags: Ligonier Valley