South Fayette targeting another WPIAL title
South Fayette girls basketball coach Bryan Bennett has one simple task as the Lady Lions embark on their quest for a fourth straight WPIAL championship.
“We are fortunate to have talented kids,” Bennett emphasized. “My job is to not mess it up.”
So far, Bennett has upheld his part of the bargain.
By defeating Chartiers Valley, 69-43, on Feb. 3, the Lady Lions captured the Section 3 banner with a 12-0 record. By toppling Norwin, 69-43, South Fayette improved to 20-1 and solidified its hold on the No. 1 seed for the Class 5A tournament.
The Lady Lions made a statement, Bennett says, with the win over the Knights, who have won three WPIAL titles, last year as well as in 2015 and 2016.
“Norwin is a powerhouse. Class 6A school with a strong tradition,” Bennett said. “It was a good test for us to face a different team that was a little more physical and more deliberate in what they do. They also had size and five to six really good players. Things we haven’t seen that as the playoffs progress we may see.”
While the Knights varied from Chartiers Valley, the results were the same for the Lions. South Fayette dismantled the Colts, cruising to a 24-5 lead that stretched to 25-point plus advantages throughout the second half.
“I know some of our games may look lopsided but there is a lot of talent in our section,” Bennett said. “Our kids are always focused and working hard. I am so proud of this group.
Against Norwin, Haylie Lamonde (13), Ryan Oldaker (11) and Lailah Wright (11) finished in double digits. Oldaker (16), Lamonde (14) and Wright (11) also reached double figures against the Colts.
“I am very pleased with the way we are playing. CV, like Norwin, is an outstanding team. Extremely well-coached and extremely talented,” Bennett said.
The Lions ooze talent themselves.
Oldaker leads the club in scoring with a 12.8 average but Juliette Leroux and Lamonde follow with 13.3 and 11.4 averages. Wright, who manages 9.5 points per game, dishes up 4.2 assists and causes 3.0 turnovers a game to lead the Lions in those categories.
Cierra Rexrode, Ella Vierra, Luci LeMendola and Alexa Ankrum had also been big contributors for South Fayette.
“There is a lot of talent on the floor and we have at least six kids that could be averaging 18-20 points a game for another team but on our team they are averaging 10,” Bennett said.
“They have all bought into the team and accepted that concept. Their togetherness and unselfishness have been key. They know that our success hinges on everybody.”
While Leroux and Lamonde are “hitting their strides” after being hampered by an injury and slow start respectively, Oldaker has been a “consistent” performer that goes “unnoticed” in finer aspects of the game because of her ability to rack up points.
“All look at her as a scorer, which she obviously is a great one, but she goes hard after it on the glass,” Bennett said. “She does so much for us. Plays hard and strong defense. I don’t think she gets credit for her rebounding and defense.”
Wright gets kudos for taking charge on the offense. A sophomore, she stepped in to fill the point guard position vacated when Lainey Yater matriculated to Saginaw Valley State.
“We didn’t have to think about a point guard or a fast break for four years. So we were worried after losing Lainey,” Bennett said.
“We knew Lailah was a talent last year, but she worked so hard in the off season to become so much better. She’s a die-hard basketball kid that doesn’t tire, and that’s good because we never have to take her off the floor. She has really stepped into the role.”
While the Lions enter the playoffs as the favorite to win a championship, they are familiar with the role of underdog. South Fayette stopped Chartiers Valley’s attempt to four-peat. The Lady Colts won WPIAL titles in 2017 as well as from 2019 through 2021.
“No one wants to see us win again. I don’t blame them,” Bennett said. “I remember being in those shoes when Coach (Tim) McConnell was doing it and we were fortunate to beat them that one year.
“We know the target is on our back, but we know what it’s like to be in the other shoes. We talk about that constantly and we are prepared. We know we are going to get everyone’s best shot. We know what we are going to get and it doesn’t get easier. We know we can’t let up.”
In Class 5A there are too many teams that want to pounce on the Lions. Bennett also says that it’s too early to predict a final between South Fayette and Peters Township. The two teams have been ranked 1-2 all season and they have not lost to any WPIAL squads, only teams from Ohio.
The Indians, like the Lions, are undefeated section champions as are Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional. Shaler and Thomas Jefferson, even Chartiers Valley, are also teams to watch in the playoffs.
“There are eight or nine teams that can win this,” Bennett predicted. “Class 5A is really deep. So, it’s one game at a time as it’s always been.”