After losing three starters – Gina Carr, Samantha Rosenberger, and Jaylynn Timmerman – to graduation last year, the Lady Panthers return a core group of athletes looking to build on their regular season record from last year.
The team will lean on a junior class that will trot out four starters for the 2023-24 campaign.
“Our Junior class has been a huge part of our program since their freshman year,” says head coach Renee Drake. “The excitement is high now that they are upperclassmen and have worked hard to play at a high level this year.”
Returning starters Gabriella Finch, DeLana Fox, and Camryn Friello will be joined by fellow junior Danielle Rosenberger for a fearsome foursome that will look to lead the Lady Panthers. Riverside finished last season 4-15 overall (1-9 in section play) but have already earned two victories in the young 2023-24 campaign.
Finch has been running the point guard position since her freshman year and is expected to continue to play at a high level this year.
“She is our best ballhandler, reads the floor well, and dishes out assists to her teammates,” says Drake of her point guard. “She should also be one of our leading scorers this year.”
Forward Delana Fox is expected to have another great year according to the head coach.
“She brings much athleticism and hustle to the team. She has the ability to score inside and out for us and we will rely on her defense and rebounding.”
Drake adds that Friello will provide the Panthers with outside shooting and solid defense.
Guard Danielle Rosenberger is a feisty, scrappy player for the Panthers who is productive at both ends of the court says Drake.
Finally, rounding out the starting five is senior Emma Thellman, who is returning to the program after only playing her freshman year. The guard/forward can also make an impact according to Drake.
“She will make an immediate impact and is a great addition to our team and is expected to help us out both offensively and defensively in big ways,” says Drake.
Thellman scored a team-high 10 points in the Panthers 33-30 victory over New Castle on December 1st.
Drake adds that the Panthers’ underclassmen are going to be called upon in immediately coming off the bench.
“Freshman Foward Emma Stockman is playing well for us and will have opportunity to contribute to the teams efforts immediately.”
Freshman Guard Addison Drake and Forward Saeryn Hoover could also see some varsity time as well.
“We expect to build upon what we have accomplished as a program the last two year and will continue to move forward in our competitiveness in our schedule,” says Drake. “I know we are the underdogs, but we have great capabilities to pull off a few upsets this year. Our goal is always, ‘Better than we were yesterday'”.
The Lady Panthers (2-1 Overall) travel for two away contests next week, first at Hopewell on Monday, December 11th and then to Ambridge on Wednesday, December 13th before hosting Central Valley on Monday, December 18th. Riverside will host crosstown rival Ellwood City on January 4th.
Be the first to comment on "CORE FOUR: Lady Panthers Juniors Look To Shine This Season"