Veteran coach Klimchock set to guide Greensburg Salem girls basketball
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Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 5:21 PM
Rick Klimchock has been coaching high school basketball for more than 20 years.
He coached the Jeannette boys for 14 seasons and the Franklin Regional girls for six.
Now he's eager to lead the Greensburg Salem girls team.
Klimchock was hired in the off-season to replace Lisa Mankins, who became an assistant coach for her husband Craig on the boys' staff.
He inherits a team with a lot of potential, returning three junior starters — leading scorer Megan Kallock (20.4 points), Nikki Mellinger and Emily Monahan. All are three-year starters.
Kallock was a Tribune-Review Terrific 10 selection. Mellinger averaged 4.5 points and Monahan made 25 3-pointers.
Klimchock also is getting senior Liz O'Neal back after she missed her junior season with a torn ACL.
Cassie Clark and Liz Rullo graduated, while second-leading scorer Shay Stevens moved to Boca Raton, Fla.
“Everyone needs to rebound, play defense and be able to score,” Klimchock said. “They're all working hard and getting used to my system.
“The biggest thing is getting them to play hard. We're going to press. We're going to run, and we have to play physical and hard.”
Pressing and running should excite Kallock and Mellinger.
Klimchock said he expects sophomore Shaleena Garner, junior Tiffany Bruzda and freshman Victoria Sarver to contribute in different ways.
Greensburg Salem finished 10-13 overall in 2016-17 and 7-5 in Section 3-5A. The Golden Lions fell to Hampton in the WPIAL playoffs.
Klimchock said the section again will run through Trinity, which made it to the PIAA finals. He expects Ringgold and Connellsville also to be in contention.
“We have to develop some depth,” Klimchock said. “To have a successful season, we have to show steady improvement.
“We have good leadership, and the squad is experienced. They've already played in some big games in different sports. They shouldn't be nervous; all they have to do is play.”
Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.
Tags: Greensburg Salem
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