Gesinski, Arrigo lead way for Lady Vikings
Last year, Scott Hillen led the Mount Pleasant girls basketball team to a 6-16 record overall in his first season as head coach, and he hopes things are looking up this season.
鈥淲e want to see improvement from year one to year two,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e built a little team chemistry as the season went along, and we showed improvement last year.鈥�
Hillen did not shy away from goals for this season.
鈥淲e want to make the playoffs, as that is always a goal,鈥� he said. 鈥淒ouble digit wins is a goal, as is competing every night to make it a competitive game.鈥�
The Lady Vikings return four starters from last year鈥檚 team, and Hillen is expecting big things from the seniors among the quartet in guard Morgan Gesinski and forward Grace Arrigo.
鈥淢organ and Grace are looked at as leaders,鈥� Hillen said. 鈥淢organ is a phenomenal athlete, was a soccer Player of the Year, and she could be that good of a basketball player as well.
鈥淕race could be a dominant force inside if she decides to do so.鈥�
The other two returning starters are juniors in guard Ryleigh Drzal and forward Danica Trainer.
A pair of sophomores, wing Tori Tepper and guard Addison Cole, senior guards Lexi Baker and Laurel Rummel, junior forward Kendra Brunson, and freshman guard Sophia Coppula will also be vying for playing time, as will a few other freshmen.
Hillen likes the effort his team is giving.
鈥淭hey are a hard-working group,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e started slow last year, but they showed chemistry working together and pushing each other at practice.
鈥淲e really want to see improvement from last year and be competitive in the section. We want to shock some people this year.鈥�
As far as Hillen mentioning the playoffs being a goal, it won鈥檛 be an easy journey to get there.
The Lady Vikings are in Section 3-AAAA with Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, South Park, Southmoreland, and Yough.
鈥淓F is the defending section champs the last couple of years,鈥� Hillen said. 鈥淏elle Vernon, South Park, Laurel Highlands, everyone in the section will be tough.
鈥淚t will be a very competitive section.鈥�