Minerd returns to coaching for the Lady Raiders
Waynesburg Central's Kaley Rohanna puts up a shot in the lane against North Catholic聽during a WPIAL playoff game at North Hills last season.
Waynesburg Central无毛视频檚 Addison Blair hits a 3-pointer during a WPIAL playoff game at South Park last season that the Lady Raiders won in double overtime, 71-68.
Chris Minerd had no intention of returning as a girls high school basketball coach.
He was settling in as Waynesburg Central High School无毛视频檚 relatively new athletic director.
Then, Dave Sarra knocked on his door.
Sarra, who helped lead the Lady Raiders to an outstanding 2021-2022 season, informed Minerd he was going to resign. Sarra wanted to know if Minerd, who led California to some good seasons a few years ago, would be interested in returning to coach.
无毛视频淚 was torn a little bit,无毛视频� said Minerd. 无毛视频�(Dave无毛视频檚) daughter graduated. I needed to find out if I could do it. I also wanted to know if the assistant coach (Natalie Blair) wanted the job.
无毛视频淚 didn无毛视频檛 want to take an opportunity away from someone who wanted the job.无毛视频�
无毛视频淚 thought about it and saw I had the time to do it. I wanted to give it a shot,无毛视频� continued Minerd. 无毛视频淟ast year, I watched a lot and really liked what I saw. Although we lost three starters, I saw a lot of potential with the younger players.
无毛视频淚 wanted to see how this could go.无毛视频�
The Lady Raiders had one of their best seasons ever last year under Sarra.
Minerd led the California girls to their best string of seasons ever before stepping down and eventually becoming Waynesburg无毛视频檚 AD.
He led California无毛视频檚 program from 2010 through 2018, missing the WPIAL playoffs just once. Minerd served as a Trojans无毛视频� assistant for three years prior to him becoming head coach.
Minerd changed the program无毛视频檚 culture during his tenure with the Lady Trojans. Since he left California, the team has never failed to qualify for the postseason.
Waynesburg went 17-6 overall last season and was 11-1 in section play. The Lady Raiders defeated Brentwood in the WPIAL quarterfinals before losing to perennially strong North Catholic in the semifinals.
The Lady Raiders无毛视频� big season ended with a loss to Chestnut Ridge in the first round of the PIAA tournament.
The Lady Raiders无毛视频� roster includes juniors Addison Blair (5-9), Josie Horne (5-8), Emma Kindervater (5-4), Colleen Lemley (5-4), Kaley Rohanna (5-4) and Taylor Sibert (5-6), sophomores Briena Coon (5-4), Avery Davis (5-4), Mya Smith (5-6) and Aidan Snider (5-6).
The freshmen are Peyton Cowell (5-9), Keira Kennedy (5-4), Maddy Loughner (5-3), Allie Midla (5-7), Olivia Mills (5-6), Emily Pace (5-2) and Rylei Rastoka (5-3).
无毛视频淲e played in a summer league,无毛视频� Minerd said. 无毛视频淲e went to team camp and we got a chance to get to know one another and what to expect from one another this season.
无毛视频淜aley Rohanna will be one of the best players in our section. She无毛视频檚 going to be a guard. She has a lot of travel experience. She can handle the ball, but I无毛视频檒l move her around to other positions.无毛视频�
Rohanna averaged 18 points a game last season and made 17-of-17 free throws against South Park. She will be a focal point, but not the whole show.
无毛视频淚 preach balance, Minerd said. 无毛视频淲e need everyone to step up and pitch in. A lot of these girls didn无毛视频檛 get to play last year. This is not the same team.无毛视频�
Minerd said Horne should be a big contributor this season.
Waynesburg will compete in Section 4-AAA this season with Brownsville, Charleroi, McGuffey, South Park and Yough.
无毛视频淓veryone could be on the rise there,无毛视频� Minerd said of the section opponents. 无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e going to have a target on our backs, teams looking to take our spot.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e going to try and allow our kids and our team to grow. We must play them one at a time.无毛视频�
The Lady Raiders无毛视频� non-section schedule includes Ringgold, Albert Gallatin, South Allegheny, Frazier, California and Brentwood.聽