Mt. Pleasant girls basketball battling to keep postseason streak alive

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 29, 2018 | 4:04 PM

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A decade's worth of winning made Mt. Pleasant a perennial playoff team in girls basketball. But a challenging and uncharacteristic season is testing the current team's resolve.

The Vikings' 10-year playoff streak is in jeopardy with four Section 3-4A games remaining.

The team must win out and get help to have a shot at fourth place in the section.

“Our section has been among, if not the toughest, section in which we've played since I have been coaching,” Vikings coach Scott Giacobbi said. “Like last year, there will be good teams who will not qualify.”

When Mt. Pleasant looks up in the standings, it sees first-place and No. 4-ranked Keystone Oaks, followed by a strong Belle Vernon team, and three competitive playoff contenders in Elizabeth Forward, South Park and Southmoreland.

Mt. Pleasant, coming off four consecutive winning seasons, is averaging just 39.6 points and has lost four of its last five. Still, a flickering chance at the postseason remains.

“We've been struggling with injuries throughout,” Giacobbi said. “Concussions have sidelined two key players. When we have other injuries, like ankle sprains, we must go deep into our young or inexperienced reserves.

“We've really approached the season one game at time, especially at this point.”

Don't expect Giacobbi to back down from the challenge. That can't be understated.

In 2003, he served in Iraq with the U.S. Army's 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, specializing in technical intelligence.

He doesn't give stock answers.

“We believe that every game is winnable despite each team's previous games, results, or records,” the coach said. “We put together the best plan with our best lineup available and go from there.”

The team sets quarter-by-quarter goals, but playing a strong four quarters has been an issue for the, at times, depleted Vikings.

Giacobbi said a recent game against Elizabeth Forward is a good example. The Vikings trailed 20-10 at the half but lost 60-33.

“We came out in the first half and played great defense, managed their full-court pressure well but struggled to score,” he said. “Unfortunately for us, they came out in the third quarter, hit three 3s on their first three possessions and ultimately proved to be too much for us.”

Must-win No. 1 happens Monday when Mt. Pleasant hosts South Park.

“It is going to take a lot of hard work, not just in the games, but in our practices as well,” senior forward Christiana Czegan said. “And just working as a team. If we do these things continuously … we have more than enough potential to make the playoffs.”

Giacobbi said the mood around team is upbeat, despite the struggles.

“We're learning to deal with adversity and to understand that success can be more than just wins and losses,” he said.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Mt. Pleasant