Greensburg Salem girls to test opponents with height, experience

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, November 17, 2023 | 5:36 PM

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When the Greensburg Salem girls basketball team takes the floor this season, it will present veteran coach Rick Klimchock some options.

Will he send out a big lineup and try to outmuscle teams, or will he go with a smaller, quicker lineup?

Whatever he selects, opponents will be spending extra time to prepare.

The Golden Lions are coming off a 14-8 season, 6-6 in Section 1-4A, and a tough first-round playoff loss to Belle Vernon.

But with three starters and a top reserve returning, the Golden Lions and their coach hope to contend for the section title with perennial power North Catholic and Highlands.

“Hopefully we grew from a couple disappointing losses last year,” Klimchock said. “We had a good summer league and a good fall season. I like what I see.

“Highlands is going to be very good, and North Catholic lost three players, but it still has Alayna Rocco. I hope we can challenge for the top three spots.”

The Golden Lions return 6-foot senior center Kaitlyn Mankins, who averaged 14.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, senior guard Ashlan Price, who averaged 10.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, and 5-11 junior forward Regan Kerr, who averaged 7 points and 7 rebounds per game.

“We’ll run a lot of things through Kaitlyn,” Klimchock said. “She’s the top or one of the top post players in the WPIAL. I expect her to be more dominant this season.”

Senior guard Gia Rosensteel averaged 4.5 points per game, and her forte was defending.

There are six others girls vying for the final starting spot and key reserve roles. Klimchock will be looking for girls to play important minutes off the bench — players who can provide a spark either on offense or defense. That player could be a starter or could be more valuable coming off the bench and being on the floor to close out games.

Candidates include 6-foot junior center Blessing Gantt, senior guard Kenzi Span, sophomore guard Mya Heasley, freshman forward Sophie Beckerleg, freshman guard Patty Redinger and freshman guard Ariel Beeler.

“We have good size and experience,” Klimchock said. “Kaitlyn, Blessing, Regan and Sophie give us an advantage inside over other teams. I also feel we’ll be able to run the floor and push the pace.

“I really like this team. We really put time in during the offseason. All four seniors are planning to play college ball, and I’m proud of that.”

Mankins is headed to Division II D’Youville, Price is going to Division III Allegheny, Rosensteel Division III Carlow and Span Division III Pitt-Greensburg.

After scrimmages against Kiski Area (Nov. 27) and California (Nov. 29), the Golden Lions open the season against Ringgold on Dec. 1 at the Lady Lions Tip-Off tournament. The Golden Lions face Blackhawk on Dec. 2.

Greensburg Salem girls at a glance

Coach: Rick Klimchock

Last year’s record: 14-8 (6-6 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Kaitlyn Mankins (Sr., C), Ashlan Price (Sr., G), Regan Kerr (Jr., F), Gia Rosensteel (Sr., G).

Top newcomers: Kenzi Span (Sr., G), Blessing Gantt (Jr., C), Patty Redinger (Fr., G), Ariel Beeler (Fr., F), Mya Heasley (So., G), Sophie Beckerleg (Fr., C).

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem