Kallie Booth hits a three-pointer in second action for the Pittston Area Patriots during a June game.
Sunday Dispatch file photo
EDWARDSVILLE — The experience of starting a new coaching assignment amid a pandemic led to oddities like Jeff Gregory observing his players in the heat of battle with an opponent for the first time while coaching them in a game.
“The best thing about our offseason was just that we had one,” Gregory said during WVC Girls Basketball Media Day at Grotto Pizza. “In just getting the job last year, it was very difficult with the shutdowns to get to know the kids.
“I tell this story a lot. I don’t know if I ever coached a (regular-season high school) game where it was the first time I saw my team play in a live game. That was challenging.”
Gregory saw progress during the season and expects improvement from a 4-13 finish.
Both veterans and newcomers are responsible for that confidence.
“We are also going to get our center back,” Gregory said. “Amanda Fath, who’s 6-1, got hurt at end of January, so we did not have her most of year.”
The Lady Patriots had all-star guard Kallie Booth, but she carried a heavy burden as both the primary ballhandler and a player who scored more points than any seven teammates combined.
“We have a freshman point guard that’s going to help Kallie a lot in the backcourt,” Gregory said of Daniella Ranieli. “She has the opportunity, if she continues to improve, to be a very good player over the next four seasons.”
There are additional reasons for optimism.
“We have some experienced kids coming back who have gotten into games,” Gregory said. “They got more experience over the summer, which was good.”
Gregory said last season’s struggles are a motivating factor.
“I remind them, probably twice a week, where we are and that’s not something we want to feel all year this year,” he said.
The other most experienced players are senior forwards Ava Butcher and Leah Zambetti, junior guard Ava Callahan and junior forward Taylor Baiera.
Pittston Area was scheduled to begin its season Saturday at home against Delaware Valley after presstime for this edition of the Sunday Dispatch.
The December schedule includes a holiday week appearance in the Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Tournament at Old Forge.
The Lady Patriots open Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 play Jan. 3 at Dallas. They were last in the seven-team division last season at 1-11.
