Experienced Freeport girls rally around new coach Mallory Ketterer

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 4:39 PM

Purchase Photo Options

It’s been a year of positive transition for Mallory Ketterer.

She recently welcomed a new baby into the world and now is gearing up for her first season as the Freeport girls basketball coach.

Ketterer spent the last four years as an assistant to former Freeport coach Fred Soilis, who stepped down in March after eight seasons.

Now she’s excited for the next chapter and the girls she’ll get to coach this winter.

“I’m thrilled for us to get started,” Ketterer said. “I feel fortunate for the time I had with Fred. He taught me a ton. I’ve been able to pull some things that we would do with our spring and summer into our fall season, keeping what I liked, but also finding what works for me as a head coach and incorporate that. I’m definitely finding my footing. Trying to find out what works and what doesn’t and going from there.”

Ketterer will have former Valley and Highlands coach Jason Kerr as an assistant.

The Yellowjackets graduated top scorers Ava Soilis and Melaina DeZort but return four seniors in Morgan Croney, Brooke Kmetz, Jaden Gaillot and Giacinta Pugliese. Croney, Kmetz and Gaillot all saw starting time last year. Sophomore Nia DiSanti and Tessa Keller contributed as freshmen.

Ketterer said it’ll be a smaller roster for Freeport than in years past.

“It’s kind of an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Ketterer said. “We’re going to need contributions from everyone, and we’ve made that clear to the girls. It’s just a matter of everyone finding their role without Ava and Melaina, because they were big parts of our production on offense and defense.”

Ketterer’s goal for the group is to apply pressure on defense and run an up-tempo style when possible.

“We’re not going to abandon what we did in the past, but my assistant Jason Kerr and I definitely want to emphasize playing fast,” Ketterer said. “Our roster is small, so we have to be smart about it, but we want to be difficult to guard with the way we attack and move the ball. Defensively we have emphasized over the summer if they think they are putting enough pressure on the ball to take another step forward. Get comfortable being uncomfortable and up the intensity defensively.”

The Yellowjackets host their annual tip-off tournament Dec. 1-2. They’ll play Fox Chapel and Plum. The opening weekend is a precursor to diving into Section 1-4A.

Freeport is with perennial power North Catholic, Knoch, Greensburg Salem, Highlands, Derry and Valley. The Trojanettes made the state semifinals, and Knoch was also a state playoff participant.

“We’re very familiar with the quality of teams in our section,” Ketterer said.

“We’re going to have to battle, but that’s how we’re going to get better. That’s the best way to improve is to play great teams and great individuals because everybody is going to be required to be at their best every night.”

Freeport girls at a glance

Coach: Mallory Ketterer

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

Returning starters: Morgan Croney (Sr., G), Brooke Kmetz (Sr. F), Jaden Gaillot (Sr., G)

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Freeport