Nov. 25—The Plum girls basketball team emerged last season from a challenging Section 1-5A schedule as a WPIAL qualifier for the third consecutive season.
The Mustangs finished tied for third place in the section with Fox Chapel at 7-5 and entered the playoffs hoping to make some noise.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut Penn-Trafford, a section champion, put a sudden stop to Plum's postseason aspirations in the WPIAL first round.
Offseason work from several returnees, including a pair of starters in Tamia West and Riley Stephans, and others ready to step up into varsity roles, has the team hopeful it can build toward yet another postseason trip.
"The girls are really dedicated to coming together as a team and have the expectation and goal of making it back to the playoffs," said Rich Mull, who enters the fifth season of his second stint as head coach.
"The talent is definitely there to make that happen."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMull said the varsity players showed positive signs playing together in Fox Chapel's summer and fall leagues.
"It can be tough when kids are doing other things and playing other sports, so there were a few kids we missed, but we got a lot of games in, and we saw improvement in a number of areas," Mull said. "It put us in a good spot heading into preseason practices."
Three starters from last year were lost to graduation. Key among them was multi-year starter Serena Carnahan, a Valley News Dispatch honorable mention selection who averaged 10 points and was one of the team's top rebounders.
Carnahan is a freshman on the women's team at Allegheny.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMull will count on the talent and leadership from the two returning starters: West, a junior guard, and Stephans, a senior guard/forward.
West, a VND and section first-team all-star, averaged a team-best 13 points. Stephans, a second-team all-section honoree, checked in at 12 points a game. Both led the team in assists and joined Carnahan as the team's top rebounders.
Senior forward Gia Tavella, junior guard Taylie Auth and junior forward Caydence Morgan are expected to increase their roles and help form a solid nucleus in what Mull hopes is a deep rotation.
"The juniors played some quality minutes last season, and they are now wanting that experience to pay off," Mull said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMull also expects junior forward Kaitlyn Lafferty and freshman Tori Glogowski to make an impact.
Mull feels consistency will be a key to bigger successes this season.
"There were times last year when we looked really good, and there were times where it was head-scratching," he said.
"We had good quarters and then would have others that were really disappointing. We're always stressing to the girls that the details matter."
Mull said he also looks forward to the players testing themselves against a strong nonsection slate that includes section champions from last year in Seneca Valley and Penn-Trafford.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Mustangs host their annual tip-off tournament Dec. 5-6 with a game against Latrobe on the first night and North Hills on night two.
Plum girls at a glance
Coach: Rich Mull (fifth year)
Last year's record: 10-13 (7-5 in Section 1-5A)
Returning starters: Tamia West (Jr., G), Riley Stephans (Sr., G/F)
Others to watch: Gia Tavella (Sr., F), Caydence Morgan (Jr., F), Taylie Auth (Jr., G)
Top newcomers: Kaitlyn Lafferty (Jr., F), Tori Glogowski (Fr.)
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
12.1, Indiana, 7:30 p.m.
12.5, Latrobe^, 7:30 p.m.
12.6, North Hills^, 3:30 p.m.
12.8, at Kiski Area, 7 p.m.
12.11, at Franklin Regional*, 7:30 p.m.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement12.12, Hempfield, 6 p.m.
12.15, Armstrong*, 7:30 p.m.
12.19, at Shaler*, 5:30 p.m.
12.29, Johnstown+, 1 p.m.
12.30, Seneca Valley+, 10:30 a.m.
1.5, Penn Hills*, 7:30 p.m.
1.8, at Gateway*, 6 p.m.
1.12, Fox Chapel*, 7:30 p.m.
1.15, Franklin Regional*, 7:30 p.m.
1.20, at Armstrong*, 6 p.m.
1.22, Shaler*, 7:30 p.m.
1.23, at Burrell, 7:30 p.m.
1.26, Penn-Trafford, 7:30 p.m.
1.30, at Penn Hills*, 6 p.m.
2.2, Gateway*, 7:30 p.m.
2.6, at Fox Chapel*, 5:30 p.m.
2.9, Greensburg Salem, 7:30 p.m.
*Section game
^Plum tip-off tournament
+Shady Side Academy holiday tournament
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at [email protected].
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