Lady Dutch hoping to make it back to D9 title game
The St. Marys Area Lady Dutch basketball team had a successful run last season and narrowly missed adding a District 9 4A title to their list of accomplishments. While the team lost three seniors to graduation, the Lady Dutch return a talented core group of players that they hope will be able to lead them on another successful run to the district title game and beyond.
“We lost a close game to Punxsutawney in the district championship (last season),” said new head coach Zane Adiyeh, who was an assistant coach for the past two seasons. “We hope to make it back to the district title game to compete for a championship again this year.”
Adiyeh noted that making it back to the district championship game is one of several goals his players are looking forward to chasing this season.
“The team is looking forward to the opportunity to compete for the holiday tournament, AML, and district championships,” Adiyeh said.
Among the team’s biggest strengths is their three returning senior starters, Jayssa Snelick, Maura Caskey, and Alexa Schneider.
“We have three seniors who are returning starters who we will lean on for their varsity experience and leadership,” Adiyeh said.
Making up the remainder of the team will be one junior, six sophomores, and two freshmen.
Chloe Schaberl is the lone junior on the squad. Sophomores include Molly Hanslovan, Karli Frantz, Zoe Romanic, Sophia Surra, Jaiden Mattivi, and Samantah Kahnell. Rounding out the team are freshmen Braelyn Beck and Taylor Gornati.
While the team has plenty of talent, they will be up against a lot of tough competition as they work to attain their goals throughout the season.
“Our schedule consists of a lot of good teams that have worked hard in the offseason,” Adiyeh said. “There are plenty of strong returning starters as well as a lot of talented underclassmen in District 9.”
Adiyeh encouraged fans to come support his team throughout the season.
“Coming to support the team provides both our athletes and our opponents an exciting and positive atmosphere to demonstrate the product of their hard work,” Adiyeh said.
Assisting Adiyeh this season is Lydia Hershey.