Sallee excited for challenge with move to Class AAA
It could be said that third-year Bentworth girls basketball coach Donna Sallee would have every right to have a gloomy outlook for this year’s team.
After all, the team has moved up to Class AAA and is extremely young.
However, she is excited for the challenge.
“Despite being a very young team, it is the best team we have had since I have been here,” said Sallee, adding with a smile, “Young is still young, though.”
The team returns three starters, sophomore forward Grace Skerbetz, senior Courtney Ambrose and senior Kaitlyn Sallee, although Sallee’s availability will be limited this year.
A pair of junior wing players, Laura Vittone and Makenzie Aloe, are vying for starting roles, as are three freshmen, guard Taylor Aubrey, point guard Amber Sallee and center Kaylin Kelly.
Having three freshmen in the rotation does not bother Sallee.
“We are seeing more young talent,” she said. “They will pick up experience as we go.”
Sallee is seeing improvement each year and set a target for the team to reach.
“I want us to get to .500,” she said. “We won five games a year ago and we are improving each year.
“The ultimate goal is to make the playoffs, but .500 is the goal.”
How can the team reach the mark?
“We have to play tough defense and keep the score on the lower end,” said Sallee. “To do that, we will have to force turnovers and when we do, hopefully we can score in transition.
“But, we have to play lockdown defense to get to that point.”
Sallee is leaning on Skerbetz for leadership.
“Grace knows the floor and the girls respect her,” Sallee said. “She will be able to step up.”
Bentworth will play in Section 2-AAA along with Brownsville, Charleroi, McGuffey, South Park, Washington and Waynesburg Central.
“Brownsville will be very tough, and I think they are the top team,” Sallee said. “South Park will be good, but I don’t know much about them yet, and Waynesburg has been working hard.”
Bentworth hosts Geibel on December 11 to open the season.