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Peters Township a tall order for opponents in girls’ basketball

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 4 min read

Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Makenna Marisa

With three returning starters, Peters Township is prepared to take a “big” step in the history of girls’ basketball as the Lady Indians will use a new concept to challenge for their first WPIAL championship in school history.

For the first time, Bert Kendall has more size to work with than any team during his coaching tenure. Five players stand 5 feet, 11 inches or taller.

“A strong inside game looks to be a strength,” Kendall said.

Pair that with an already solid perimeter shooting attack and the Indians should contend for their third section title in four seasons not to mention the District 7 crown and more. They were 21-5 last year and reached the WPIAL championship game only to loss to North Allegheny in the final at the Petersen Events Center.

“This year the team has high goals and expectations,” Kendall said. “They are working to improve on last year’s fine season.”

While four players will add size to the Indians’ front line, the action centers around three pivotal veterans but most specifically Makenna Marisa. The 5-11 senior was The Almanac Player of the Year and a first-team all-district performer by the Observer-Reporter not to mention a first-team All-State selection. Rated as one of the top recruits in the country by ESPN, Marisa picked Penn State over Pitt, Baylor, Nebraska, Michigan, Boston College, UCF, Duquesne, Ball State, Villanova, St. Joseph’s and Cincinnati as her college choice.

Last season, Marisa consistently dropped in 23 points per game. She also grabbed nine rebounds, dished up three assists and picked up three steals an outing.

“She’s a super player. A special player,” Kendall concedes. “She makes us go.”

Last year, she pushed the Lady Indians into the record books as Peters Township played in its first WPIAL championship contest in girls’ basketball since 2008. The Indians also captured the Section 3 title and advanced to the PIAA tournament before being stopped by Bethel Park.

Marisa, however, did not do it all on her own. The Indians also relied upon Isabella Mills and Lillian Young. Though Young is at Edinboro University already making a splash for the Fighting Scots, averaging 3.7 points and 3.0 rebounds for the team which is ranked 19th place in the latest Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Top 25 Poll, Mills is back.

A Case Western Reserve recruit, Mills gave the Indians’ that second strong jab to go with Marisa’s first punch. The 5-11 senior fired in 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds a game. She also contributed three assists and two steals a game last season.

Jordan Bisignani is PT’s third returning starter. The sophomore is a 5-6 guard. She averaged two points per game but dished up many assists in a playmaker role last season for the Indians.

Because Peters Township cumulatively returns 37 points and 15 rebounds from last year’s squad, the Indians will look to build on that strong performance, says Kendall, while incorporating several newcomers to the team.

Among the rookies are freshmen Journey Thompson (6-1 center) and Avana Sayles (5-9 forward). Morgan Merdian is a 5-11 sophomore and Mackenzie Lehman is a talented athlete. The 5-11 junior earned All-America recognition in lacrosse and she is already committed to playing that sport at Liberty University.

“Those four players will add size to our front line,” Kendall said.

Guards Abbey Peyton, Emma Devine, Lizzy Brucker and Morgan Marisa round out this year’s squad.

“While we are already a solid perimeter shooting team, we will look to capitalize on our athleticism and overall team speed this season,” Kendall said.

PT will rely on all its assets because they have a target on their back, particularly in Section 3 (6A), which again is loaded with the likes of Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair.

Kendall expects the Hawks, who return three starters from last year’s 19-7 club that reached the Final Four in the WPIAL, to be the Indians’ toughest section opponent. The two clubs met four times with Peters Township winning the first three encounters before losing to Bethel Park in the PIAA playoffs, which was also the last game of the season for the Indians.

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