Johnson setting bar high for Lady Commodores
Frazier coach Kenny Johnson gives instructions to his players during a timeout in聽a WPIAL playoff game against Carmichaels at Henry DiVirgilio Field House last season.
Frazier's Delaney Warnick (21) hits a shot inside against Carmichaels聽during a WPIAL playoff game at Henry DiVirgilio Field House on Feb. 18. Warnick, who tallied 15 points in the Lady Commodores' 50-42 win, returns for her senior season.
Frazier鈥檚 Maria Felsher closely defends Carmichaels鈥� Ashton Batis during a WPIAL playoff game at Henry DiVirgilio Field House last season.
Kenny Johnson led the Frazier girls to the WPIAL playoffs last season in his first year as the Lady Commodores鈥� head coach.
This year, despite having a younger team, he is setting the bar even higher.
鈥淚 would like to see us win a minimum of 15 games and compete for a section title,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淲e will play more freshman than any other class on our team, but we still think we got shot at better season than last year.鈥�
While the team will be younger, Johnson will rely on seniors Delaney Warnick and Maria Felsher.
鈥淏oth are a vital part to the defense and scheme for which we play, and as a forward and point guard, they make our team go,鈥� explained Johnson. 鈥淏oth know how to win as members of last year鈥檚 WPIAL softball runner-up and Maria was on the WPIAL champion in volleyball.
鈥淭his could help us change our culture.鈥�
Junior Gabby McGavitt joins the senior duo as a returning starter, while sophomores Taryn Bateman and Addison Day and freshmen Chloe Hager and Maddy Salisbury are all vying for starting roles or minutes as top reserves.
鈥淗opefully, we stay healthy and make layups,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚f our young players that play a lot can mature before the halfway point of the season, we can be dangerous.鈥�
Frazier plays in Section 4-AA along with Bentworth, Beth-Center, California, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Washington.
鈥淲ith the new section, I would say Char-Houston will be picked to be first,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淭hen, it鈥檚 a toss-up for second between us, California and Carmichaels.鈥�