Giacobbi, Lady Vikings prepared for whatever season brings
Scott Giacobbi enters his 16th season as the Mount Pleasant girls head basketball coach, and has dealt with losses to graduation, reclassification and game preparations through the years.
But, the veteran coach is preparing for a season like no other in his previous 15 seasons with the impact the coronavirus will have on the 2020-21 season.
“We’re working it out,” said Giacobbi.
Mount Pleasant started late as the solicitor and school board figured out the best course of action for winter sports, including basketball.
“We wanted clarity on what’s going to be the best thing for the kids,” explained Giacobbi. “What we can do and can’t do.”
Coaches tend to stick with drills, practices, offenses and defenses that have worked over time, but Giacobbi has adjusted the past routine to meet the issues raised by the coronavirus.
“We do a lot more short things with shorter intensity and an interval break. I want to build up stamina and endurance,” said Giacobbi. “We are going to ease into 5-on-5.”
The Lady Vikings return the entire roster, plus the infusion of freshmen.
“It will be an interesting year,” said Giacobbi. “We have everyone back and everyone has expectations.
“We have a lot of experienced people back. We became much more competitive at the end of the season.”
The senior group includes guards Hannah Tate, Haylie Brunson, Lexi Stanek and Kara and Kaycee Leech.
“All the seniors are going to play in some capacity,” said Giacobbi, adding he’s expecting juniors Hannah Gesinski (guard) and Alli Bailey (guard/forward) and sophomore big guard Tiffany Zelmore also be in the mix. “We’re balanced in regard to size and quickness.”
Though dealing with a pandemic has altered some things for Giacobbi, the veteran coach plans to hold true to his offensive and defensive approach.
“We want to be dynamic in halfcourt. We want to attack in transition and in halfcourt,” said Giacobbi. “We want to convert defensive toughness into points.
“It might seem trite, but steady and consistent, tough defense is what we want to do and exploit what we can. We’ll adapt in our matchups. We want tempo.”
Giacobbi continued, adding, “I’m a believer in running fluid, motion-type offenses and not depend on a specific set.”
The student role of being a student-athlete is also ever-changing.
“We are really agreeable with the kids with their situation. It’s been a real positive thing. The older kids are taking good individual leadership,” praised Giacobbi.
The Lady Vikings remain in Section 3-AAAA, although the lineup has been shuffled a bit. Gone are McKeesport and Ringgold, and Ligonier Valley has been added.
“Southmoreland is the team to beat,” Giacobbi said of the defending section champs. “West Mifflin has a good group of guards.”
The plan entering the season is the same as in seasons past.
“We are going to march as we have (in past seasons) with the slate of our full schedule,” said Giacobbi. “The WPIAL and PIAA have enabled local districts to determine what is best for the kids.
“I think we have to be hopeful. Honestly, it’s easy not to be.”