With the winter basketball season quickly approaching, the Riverside Panthers basketball coaches are looking to improve from last years season. Both teams see areas of improvement and hope to improve from last season.
Young Lady Panthers Looking To Bounce Back After Last Season
“We are a completely different team this year than last year” says head coach Renee Drake for the Lady Panthers, who is entering her second season with the team.
“We only have two returning players from last season.”
credit: Clark’s Studio Photography
Megan Zelch returns at guard and is the only senior, and co-captain of the team.
“She is a great leader and her in game experience will be vital for us,” adds Drake.
Junior Guard, Gina Carr, will also be returning. Carr will help to hit the outside shots and attack the hoop according to Drake.
The Lady Panthers did not have as much success as most people thought they were going to, but there is a lot of young, new talent on the team and Coach Drake is hoping that the team will take the necessary steps forward this season.
With no sophomores on the team this year, the Panthers do have five freshman that all provide different strengths for the team.
“I am loving our freshman class this season,” said Drake. “Gabrielle Finch, one of our guards will help Megan run the point guard position with her ball handling, passing and ability to score. Delana Fox, who is one of our forwards this season, is a scrappy hustler who is able to make things happen on both offense and defense.”
The other freshman include, Camryn Friello (guard), Danielle Rosenberger (guard) and Olivia Reed (forward).
The Lady Panthers also have older talent as well, two new junior post players Skylar Minnette and Aliya Ottaviani who have both been working hard and will provide an aggressive edge in the post.
Jaelynn Timmerman is also making her return this season. Due to an injury that required surgery, Timmerman missed her sophomore season but is now back and ready to hit he floor.
“She will provide a strong presence in the paint as an offensive threat and great rebounder,” says Drake.
“Our fans can expect to see a team who competitive, plays hard, and won’t back down from any opponent,” said Drake. “Our section has some very good teams in it such as North Catholic and Mohawk who both had great playoff runs last year. I look forward to every chance we get to compete, after what we have been through the last two years, we have learned not to take anything for granted, every game is an opportunity that we look forward to.”
The Lady Panthers will have their first section game at Beaver Falls High School on Thursday, December 16th. Mohawk, Laurel, and North Catholic all are formidable section foes for the Panthers in Class-3A Section 1.
Riverside Boys Hoping To Grow Defensively This Season
credit: Clark’s Studio Photography
“We are working hard everyday to improve upon last year” says head coach John Rorick.
The seasoned coach Rorick points to defense as an area of focus this upcoming season.
“I think we can be a much better team defensively this season.”
The Panthers have a lot of returning players from a team that finished 3-16 last season including seniors Madden Boehm and Avery Wolf who will help lead the team this season.
Boehm will help the team with his solid outside shooting while Wolf provides a strong presence in the post and his aggressive play according to Rorick.
Other returning players such Nate Kolesar and Sam Hughes will also help with the team with their strong outside shooting. Junior guard Garrett Dwyer and freshman guard Robbie Janis will run the point guard position for the Panthers this season. Forward players Bo Fornataro and Darren Mcdade will also give the team a strong presence in the post along with their ability to snag rebounds.
“The section will be very challenging for us, especially since Ellwood City is the defending WPIAL champions,” says Rorick. “We know that every game will be a challenge and we have to be ready to compete every time we step out on the court.”
In addition to sharing a section with the defending champion, Riverside also will face a Neshannock team that finished 17-2 last season, earning the Lancers a 2-seed in the playoff.
The Panthers will host Union Area High School on Friday, December 17th on their home court.
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