Mapletown girls preview: Lady Maples return entire squad, but still young
The Mapletown girls basketball team has all returning players for the 2023-2024 season.
But don’t label the Maples an experienced team just yet.
“All our girls are returning players, which helps tremendously,” said coach Kaitlyn Novak. “They’re still young and learning, but they all work well together. We’re hoping to utilize our quickness with our defense.”
Top players for Mapletown include junior forward Isabella Garnek (5-7), sophomore guard Emma Zalar (5-5), sophomore forward Treslee Weston (5-6), and sophomore guard Makenna Lotspeich (5-3).
Other members of the team are junior forward Tarrissa Orndoff Jenkins (5-7), sophomore guard Marley Shiflett (5-3), sophomore forward Nicole Barrera (5-6), freshman guard Helena Cumpston (5-3), and freshman forwards Sophia Jennings (5-6) and Leona Liggett (5-4).
“We only have 10 girls and nine able to play right now, so starters will change some,” Novak explained.
“I want them to work at slowing the game down offensively and make better shot selection. “
Mapletown finished 6-15 overall last season, and will again compete in Section 2-A with Avella, Geibel Catholic, Jefferson-Morgan, Monessen and West Greene.
Mapletown’s wins last year came against Carmichaels, Turkeyfoot Valley Area, Propel Montour and Jefferson-Morgan.
Mapletown faces Carmichaels, California, Beth-Center, Propel Montour, Turkeyfoot Valley, Fort Cherry and Bentworth in non-section play.
“Monessen will be tough,” Novak said. “Their size and aggressiveness are always a challenge. Overall, I think our section will be competitive. Geibel recruited another player. West Greene had a couple younger girls coming up. It’ll be a fight for sure.”
Novak said she’ll rely on Garnek to show the way for the Lady Maples.
“Isabella Garnek will be our key player,” the coach said. “She sets the tempo and is the most experienced. She can handle pressure well and her basketball knowledge makes her a great leader for our younger girls.”
Novak, in her third year at the helm, said her long association with the game and her family’s sports background led her to coaching.
“缅北禁地, basketball in particular, has been a huge part of my life,” explained Novak. “Mapletown is my alma mater and I played at Penn State Fayette branch campus in college.
“I want to be able to teach kids that hard work, discipline, and having a winning attitude can be a huge asset as they get older. It carries over to their everyday life and helps them daily.”
Novak is assisted by Abigail Antill.