Last year was an exciting year for the Lady Wolverines. For the first time in 17 years, the Ellwood girls basketball team, under coach Jolene Krupa, advanced to the playoffs.
The elation of the playoff season was short lived with a loss in the first game against Ford City. The season ended with total record of 12-11 overall and 5-7 in conference.
This year, the team has its sites raised higher: top three in section and to advance at least one stage farther in the playoffs. With a loss of only two seniors, the core of the squad is returning, fresh from a playoff experience and hungering for more.
Karrington Ketterer, co-captain, is the team’s top scorer. Together with co-captain Emily Brown, they provide solid leadership for the team. Another senior, Allie McKelvey, is another high scorer and consistent player. Completing the quintuple of seniors are Cortni Prine and Paige Mason.
Krupa has been working with these five athletes since 8th grade, when she began her tenure with the Lady Wolverines.
Seniors Allie McKelvey, Karrington Ketterer, Paige Mason and Emily Brown with head coach Jolene Krupa. Photo by Clark’s Studios.
“Emily Brown is a true leader and has worked hard over the summer, along with Allie McKelvey, to make sure her senior year is one of her best,” Krupa said. “I think these five seniors are great leaders and role models for the younger players. They are not only great athletes, but also wonderful students and young ladies.”
Four sophomores and five freshman round out the team. For some of the freshman, there won’t be much of a transition from junior high to varsity. Isabella Roth, Mia DeCaria and Natalie Greco have already seen varsity action and Roth scored nine points in two games.
“They have adjusted fairly quickly, but still need some time to get used to this level of playing, especially when we enter section play,” Krupa said. “That is where having five seniors on the roster definitely helps.”
On the coaching staff, Krupa is assisted by veteran coach Mark Hall, Cameron Cortez and her sister, Dena Noble.
Unfortunately, the Lady Wolverines had a rough time their first two games during the Ellwood City Tip Off tournament, losing to Riverside 50-32 and Beaver Falls 78-45. A large part of this was taking too many missed shots.
“Right now we need to work on our patience on offense,” Krupa said. “The girls are looking to score after only one or two passes and forcing shots rather than working the ball around to get a better shot opportunity. We also need to work on our defense and be more aggressive and anticipate steals. I want to utilize the full court trap that they have run since 8th grade.”
The team fared better in two non-conference home games, beating Union 50-3 and Knoch 40-34. Their first conference challenge will be tonight when they travel to Ambridge.
“They are a great group of girls that work very hard. It has been great to see them develop over the years. They have a strong desire to win and understand the team concept.”
The Lady Wolverines roster, schedule and record can be viewed during the season at Wolverines Roundball.
Front: Allie McKelvey, Karrington Ketterer, Paige Mason and Emily Brown. Mid: Alexis Casuccio, Natalie Greco, Mia DeCaria, Robin Gess and Rae Hildebrand. Rear: Head coach Jolene Krupa, assistant coach Dena Noble, Cami Cortez, Isabella Roth, Breonna Streit, assistant coach Mark Hall, Zoe Kalantzis and assistant coach Cameron Cortez. Missing is Cortni Prine. Photo by Clark’s Studios.
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