The girls’ varsity basketball team kicks off season (photo)

ALLURA MCCULLER
Junior Sadie Comfort and senior Madi Sherakas put in work at a basketball practice. The team won its first game at the season’s start. “Our team is doing pretty good. We need to work on handling the ball better when we are pressured,” Comfort said.

Each season, new players move up to replace the previous season’s seniors. The girls’ varsity basketball team had to adjust to a new starting five as well as the new members of the varsity team.
“I believe the girls’ basketball team returns some great upperclassmen and has some new teammates” Mr. Eric Rismiller, athletic director, said.
Mr. Curt Ziegmont, head coach, is returning for his second year.
“Coach Ziegmont is doing really well coaching a girls’ team compared to previously teaching boys. He is good at finding ways to get shooters the ball in order to score,” junior Autumn Tarconish said.
Mr. Chris McLaughlin and Mr. Phillip Tenaglia also joined the coaching staff as assistants.
“Our coaching staff is working hard with the girls to get us back into playoffs,” Mr. Rismiller said.
As of December 22, the team’s record is 2-1 after beating both Jim Thorpe and Muhlenberg. Although they lost to Nazareth by two points, they held Nazareth’s Division 1 recruit to just eight points. Senior forward Kyra Schenk landed 18 points for her team, while Comfort drained three 3-pointers.
The girls hope to beat Pine Grove on their home court Friday night.
“We are all friends on and off the court, which really helps all of us understand each other and how we play,” Comfort said.