South Fayette preparing to make a major run in basketball

South Fayette was one game away from participating in the 2017 PIAA Class 5-A girls’ basketball championships.
Trinity stood in the Lions’ path as the Hillers scored a 61-51 victory in the state semifinals at Peters Township back on March 21. This year, Chartiers Valley may pose the roadblock.
The Colts are the reigning WPIAL champions. They derailed South Fayette, 48-31, in the district quarterfinals. But the Lions, who split regular season games with CV, winning on the road, 71-62, but falling at home, 50-49, rebounded to reach the semifinals in the state playoffs.
South Fayette’s 20-7 season also included a Section 1 banner. The Lions finished 9-1 ahead of the Colts (8-2, 20-8), West Allegheny (6-4, 14-9) and Montour (5-5, 11-12).
Just getting out of the division this season will be a survival test.
The Colts, like the Lions, return four starters, including leading scorer Mackenzie Wagner (15.5 ppg) and Megan McConnell (11.3 ppg.), but Kennesaw State recruit Gabi Legister, a 6-2 forward, and Lauren Wagner are out with torn ACLs.
“CV will be one of our toughest opponents,” SF skipper Matt Bacco said. “Along with West-A and Montour,” he added.
“We are still grinding away, focusing our attention to detail and consistency and getting ready to tip it up in real uniforms.”
After scrimmaging Baldwin, Thomas Jefferson and Bethel Park, the Lions are, indeed, ready to tip it up. They open the 2017-18 campaign hosting Freeport on Dec. 8. Upper St. Clair and Keystone Oaks will square off in the preliminary game. Action starts at 6 p.m. The South Fayette Tip-off Tournament concludes with consolation and championship action Dec. 9. Action begins at 1 p.m.
With a game against Peters Township on Dec. 18 and an appearance in the Bethel Park Holiday Tournament (the Lady Hawks were the WPIAL 6-A runner-up last season) over the holiday break, Dec. 27-28, South Fayette will be well prepared for the meat of their section schedule. On Jan. 4, the Lions host Montour. They visit West A on Jan. 11 then host CV on Jan. 15.
By then, the Lions should have filled the void caused by the matriculation of Carlee Kilgus to St. Vincent. The 5-8 point guard, who already is averaging 5 points and 4.5 assists for the Bearcats, guided South Fayette to its first WPIAL title in 2016. She earned all-section and all-district honors throughout her scholastic career.
While Jordan Head has bridged the gap at guard, Sam Kosmacki is expected to again lead the Lions’ offensive attack. The senior averaged 13.5 points per game last season. The 5-11 forward is a two-time all-section performer.
“Jordan has been doing a heck of a job up to this point for us and Sam is a versatile player,” Bacco said. “She can score in transition and be disruptive on the defensive end.”
Additionally, Maura Castelluci, Maddie Gutierrez and Jordyn Caputo are returning starters. Caputo and Gutierrez are seniors but play forward and guard respectively. Castelluci is a junior guard.
“Experience,” said Bacco is one of the team’s strengths, along with its transition game and ability to create turnovers.
While Skylar Aitken has emerged as a key contributor, the Lions expect big things from Karyssa Larson, Gabby Mariano, Madison Burroughs, Clare Relihan and Jess Stabile.
Noting depth as a concern, Bacco said, “We working on developing consistent bench production. That will be a key for us.”
South Fayette also expects Brooke Bushmire, Kendall Yeaman, Peyton Yater, Meredith Gutierrez, Caroline Fleming, Sydnee Mozick and Olivia Foreman to provide additional depth and contribute to the squad’s progress.
“We are hoping to get better each day to give us an opportunity to make a deep run into the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs. Attention to detail and doing our jobs on both ends of the floor will enable us to achieve our goals.”