Despite losing Division I talent to graduation, Penn Hills girls keep high expectations
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Saturday, December 2, 2017 | 1:24 AM
Even after losing Division I players Jade Ely and Desiree Oliver to graduation in back-to-back years, the Penn Hills girls basketball team still has expectations of making WPIAL and PIAA playoff runs this season.
The Indians, who finished 23-4 overall and 10-0 in Section 2-6A last season, will be led by a junior class headlined by guard/forward Tayonna Robertson and guards Ariana Dunson and Adia Brisker.
“Whenever you lose a Desiree and Jade, who are big-time Division I players and are unguardable kids, you have to change a little bit,” coach Robert Cash said.
“Tayonna is a kid who can score in many different ways. She can post up, she has a mid-range game, and she can step out to hit the 3. She is a kid who can do it from all angles on the floor as well as her ability to handle the basketball.”
Last season, Oliver, who now is playing at Temple, led the Indians with 19.4 points per game, while Robertson averaged 12.2 points.
Dunson (2.1 ppg) and Brisker (4.8 ppg) will take on bigger roles.
“With (Tayonna) getting better at all levels, as well as Ariana and Adia getting better, we have three players who can score from all levels, as well as the surrounding core is probably better than teams in the past,” Cash said.
Cash was looking forward to giving junior guard Diamond-Jay Whittington (7.7 ppg) an expanded role this season, however, she suffered a torn ACL during the offseason and will be unavailable this season.
The rest of the Indians' lineup will be a battle between freshman guard Alysa Sledge, junior guard Deshaya Chavis and sophomore forward Niyah Moore.
Cash is looking to get strong contributions from junior guard Camille Fulton, junior center Raymesha Jordan, freshman center Delainey Carpenter and freshman guards Jasmine Golden and Jaylen Golden.
“I think this team will have more weapons than the last couple of years,” Cash said. “In the last couple of years, we have been more top-talented, where this year's team has talent from top to bottom. We can do a lot more things with this core group since Desiree and Jade allowed us to build the program.”
Last year, the Indians made it to the final four in the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs before losing to Bethel Park, 41-36. Penn Hills' season ended with a 50-38 loss to North Allegheny in the PIAA quarterfinals.
In the first month of this season, the Indians will have a good idea where they stand after facing multiple elite teams, including North Allegheny, Chartiers Valley, Mt. Lebanon, Blackhawk, Allderdice and Winchester Thurston.
“Some games are a mental experience and physical experience. It builds our chemistry, and we have a lot of young players,” Robertson said.
“It's all about how we can develop game after game. I think we can come out on top if we come out and play consistent and play without thinking too much about it.”
The Indians will tip off against North Allegheny at the North Allegheny tournament at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9.
“I think we have an opportunity for a big year here,” Cash said. “But it all falls in the hands of the juniors and if they can carry the program to where Desiree and Jade has taken it.”
Andrew John is a freelance writer.
Tags: Penn Hills
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