LET’S BOUNCE! Lady Wolverines Have Returning Starters, Playoff Aspirations

The Ellwood City girls basketball team returns seven varsity players this year and has its eyes set on the playoffs.

Fans can expect to see a different team this year according to head coach Dena Noble.

“Our style of play will be different than it has been over the past five years – we expect to control the pace of the game,” says the third year head coach.

Two seniors will pace the Lady Wolverines – one a familiar face, the other a new one.

Four-year starter and senior Claire Noble will lead the offense.

“She is a very versatile player, a 3-level scorer, and an excellent defender,” says her head coach. “She is a player you’ll want to keep your eye on.”

Noble finished with 18 points in Monday night’s victory over Portersville Christian and is averaging 21.0 PPG through the Wolverines first three games.

The other senior on the roster this year comes by way of transfer. Maddy Long transferred from Shenango and has some playoff experience to bring to the fray.

Long was the sixth man on Shenango’s 2023 Championship team. The top-seeded Wildcats defeated Freeom Area 44-34 in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game.

“She brings a lot to our team,” adds Noble.

Also added to the bench this year, but a familiar face with the head coach, is assistant coach John Fiorentino – the most successful girls basketball coach in the school’s history who has returned to the area to join the coaching staff.

“Coach Fiorentino joined my coaching staff last year and we hope to rewrite history this season,” says Noble. “His years of coaching experience and expertise are definitely going to give us an edge this year.”

Noble states the first goal of the program is to make the playoffs, a second is to win a playoff game — both goals that will have historical ties to the current coaching staff.

The girls haven’t qualified for playoffs since the 2018-19 season and haven’t won a first-round playoff game since the 1994-95 season.

THe ’94-’95 campaign was Noble’s senior year and, under the direction of Coach Fiorentino, the Wolverines made it to the WPIAL Finals – Class 3A.

“I played for Coach Fiorentino from 1995-1999 and he led our team to three section titles and to the 1995 WPIAL Finals,” says Noble. “It has been a dream of mine to coach with him – God answered my prayers!”

Several other returning players will help the Wolverines make the playoff push.

Juniors Kayla Jones, Delaney Sturgeon, Elsie Sturgeon, Caitlin Kreitzer and Sophomore Abby Caminiti, will be major contributors according to their head coach.

“Our team has put in a lot of hours this summer on our court and playing AAU basketball and we are ready to compete in our tough section.”

The six-team Class-3A Section 1 pits the Wolverines against Beaver Falls, Laurel Mohawk, Neshannock, and Riverside.

According to Noble, Beaver Falls, who lost only one senior, and Mohawk will be contenders in the section.

“We always circle Riverside on our calendar,” adds the coach. “It’s always a big game that draws a big crowd and it’s always fun to beat your crosstown rivals! We are all looking forward to a wonderful season.”

After three consecutive road games through the middle of the month, the Lady Wolverines will next host a home game on December 20th versus Aliquippa. Section play opens up after the Christmas break with a home game on January 2nd versus section rival Neshannock.