Despite the season’s rocky start, the girls basketball team is preparing for the playoffs, according to Captains Kyla Fitzgerald and Sarai Weaver and senior Sophia DiGregorio. The girls said that teamwork and coordination has been crucial to their success. 

Kyla, Sarai, and Sophia are joined by captain Emma Paul and seniors Kali Allensworth and Ella Graff. 

This year’s team chemistry is “pretty solid,” according to Sarai. The girls go sled riding, watch movies, and eat meals together. They also have a tradition of going to Dunkin’ before practices. 

Their favorite memories include winning the section championship last year, attending tournaments with the middle school travel team, and going to Erie. 

Sophia and Sarai have been playing basketball for a decade and Kyla has been playing for eight years. 

“I was tall,” joked Kyla when asked why she started playing basketball. Sarai, on the other hand, said that she was not tall when she started playing; she grew into her height in recent years. 

Sophia joined because of her sisters, who played basketball at Ford City Jr. Sr. High School and Armstrong. She continued because she enjoyed it. 

All of the girls continued playing because of their coach from fourth to ninth grade, Mr. James Paul, an AHS social studies teacher. Mr. Paul got the girls into summer leagues and travel leagues and made sure they kept practicing through the COVID-19 quarantine. 

Despite their long journey, none of the girls plan to continue basketball in college. Emma Paul is committed to Fairmont State University for softball. 

Sarai said that she’s sad for the season to end, but Kyla is ready to return to normalcy. 

The girls celebrated their Community Night on Jan. 22. They remarked on the atmosphere and level of local support. The game was dedicated to Marci Pawk, a former ASD teacher.

“It’s nice to have the community around you,” they said.

Next year, the girls said the team will have to reconfigure itself to find success. The team dynamic will also be impacted with the departure of the seniors. 

The girls encouraged the underclassmen to stay motivated, stick together, pay attention at practice, and be a team.