Gateway girls aspire to capture section championship

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, January 18, 2019 | 7:42 PM

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Yes, the Gateway girls basketball team is the reigning WPIAL Class 5A champion.

But one thing the Gators weren’t able to achieve a year ago on their way to their historic postseason run was win the section championship.

That’s a goal for this year, and it remains doable as the first half of the section season winds down.

“Right now, our goal is to get a little better each and every day,” coach Curtis Williams said. “We do aspire to capture the section title, but we know we are not good enough to do that yet, having lost to Mars. If we can win the section, our next goal is to try to repeat as WPIAL champion.

“But that in itself is going to be an extremely difficult task as 5A is even tougher this year than last with the addition of teams like Penn Hills and Latrobe.”

Following a 71-53 win Jan. 9 at Baldwin, and a nonsection loss Jan. 12 against Oakland Catholic, and a 55-33 win over Plum on Jan. 15, the Gators were 11-3 overall.

Gateway, at 5-1, was tied with Franklin Regional (9-3, 5-1) atop Section 2-5A, and held a half-game lead over Mars (10-3, 4-2).

Gateway was ranked fourth in Class 5A last week behind Chartiers Valley (14-0), Penn Hills (11-3) and Oakland Catholic (12-2).

“Char Valley is undefeated and playing well,” Williams said, “and that’s not to look past teams like Mars, Oakland Catholic and TJ.”

Gateway edged Oakland Catholic, 29-27, in last year’s WPIAL final, and finished 25-4 overall.

The Gators’ current lineup includes three starters back from 2017-18 in seniors Mary Kromka and Jenna Guido, and junior Lexi Jackson.

Jackson has developed into one of the premier players in the WPIAL. A 6-foot-3 center, she was averaging 18.1 points and 14.5 rebounds and 9.4 blocks through 12 games.

Jackson racked up a career-high 37 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked 11 shots in the recent nonsection win at Baldwin. She also registered a triple-double in her previous game against Kiski with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks.

Jackson has entertained offers from Western Michigan, James Madison, North Carolina A&T and Radford.

“Lexi is continually growing in confidence, and she is becoming a star right before my eyes,” Williams said. “Now in her second year as a starter, she is growing into her leadership role as a captain and is starting to understand how good she really can be.”

Kromka, a 5-11 guard/forward, is a four-year starter, three-year captain and the team’s second-leading scorer with a 13 ppg average. Kromka also is the Gators’ second-leading rebounder, averaging 8.5 rebounds per outing.

“Mary has started every game of her high school career,” Williams said. “She is a tireless and relentless worker, and she brings so much to the team in establishing our identity and work effort. It’s really hard to put her true value into words, because she does everything for the team this year.”

Guido is a 5-8 senior guard and second-year starter.

“Jenna, being a second-year starter, likewise is growing into her role as a captain and leader on the team,” Williams said. “She is doing a very good job of challenging our younger players and explaining what is required of them in games and situations.”

Rounding out the Gators’ lineup are sophomore Dynasty Shegog, a 5-11 guard/forward and Seton LaSalle transfer; and freshman Lexi Margolis, a 5-8 point guard. Shegog averages 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds.

Key reserves include junior forward Annie Garness, plus freshmen forward Grace Weiskircher and freshman guard Kira Pavlik.

“We have had solid contributions from Lexi Margolis and Dynasty Shegog,” Williams said. “Like Mary Kromka, Dynasty does a little bit of everything for us as she runs the point at times and will even play in the post. She has the versatility to play and guard positions 1-5 on the court.

“Lexi has eased into her role as our point guard. Replacing Jordan Edwards (now at Niagara) is extremely difficult, but the freshman is doing a heck of job. She has fit in well with the starting five thus far, making the transition from middle school to varsity.”

Defensively, Gateway is allowing 44.5 ppg and has held five opponents to less than 40 points.

“We are growing little by little,” Williams said. “I see growth in each player, including players 6-9, not just 1-5. We are doing some really good things, but like all teams we are struggling with consistency.

“I am fortunate to have a very good coaching staff. Will Battles, my right-hand man, is a great key to our success. And the addition of Amanda Estok and my son David Williams are really helping with our success this season.”

Mars has proven to be a nemesis for the Gators over the past two seasons. The Fighting Planets ended Gateway’s 2017-18 championship season with a 50-38 win in the PIAA quarterfinals.

And the Fighting Planets handed the Gators their first loss this season by a score of 54-42 in mid-December.

A rematch between the section rivals was slated for Monday at Gateway, after deadline for this edition.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway