New coach Gerdich set to lead Yough girls

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, December 4, 2017 | 9:24 PM

Following a disappointing 2016-17 season, the Yough girls basketball team will be looking to improve under new coach Mike Gerdich and his new system.

The Cougars again have a young team, with seven freshmen joining the team that Gerdich will look to get acclimated quickly so it can gain some experience at the varsity level.

“Last year was not a good season for the girls, and we know they are capable of much more,” Gerdich said. “Right now, we are focused on changing the culture of girls basketball here at Yough and being more competitive.”

In order to change the culture, Gerdich believes they need to simply get back to the fundamentals and get back on track.

“It is going to start on the defensive end, simply boxing out, playing physical and getting rebounds to limit second-chance points,” Gerdich said. “(We will improve) as long as we hustle, continue to put pressure on the other teams.”

Through practices and scrimmages, Gerdich has been able to spot areas he would like to see improvement to have the girls ready for the season opener.

“Us coaches understand that we are still in practice mode and that the games are just scrimmages, but we would like the girls to show a little more competitiveness that I know we will get to,” Gerdich said. “With it being so early in the season we need to focus on being more confident, especially when we are shooting the ball, but we know that will come with more games and practices under our belt.”

The Cougars, who finished 1-19 overall and 0-14 in Section 3-4A last season, return key players in sophomore Jordan Pater, junior Corrin Parquette and senior Becca Mlinek.

“We are young, but we like what we have to build around with those three players,” Gerdich said. “It is important to have a strong backcourt to run the offense with Pater running the point and Mlinek at the two spot. And we have a solid centerpiece in the middle to protect and work the inside with Parquette.”

The main goal Gerdich stressed was to be more competitive and continue to improve every game.

“We know that we are young, but the goal of every team, every season will always be to win games,” Gerdich said.

“But we are excited to have a young group of talent that we are able to lay the foundation for the future and continue to gain experience at the varsity level.”

The Cougars will begin their season at the Southmoreland tournament Friday where they will match up against Frazier at 6 p.m.

Cody Scott is a freelance writer.

Tags: Yough