Dec 5, 2018 4 min read

It’s like pushing a child, who is not yet proficient in swimming, into a pool and hoping for the best.

Eight of the first nine opponents for the Trinity High School girls basketball team made the playoffs last year. Two of those games are against defending WPIAL champions, North Allegheny in Class 6A and North Catholic in Class 4A. Another is against WPIAL 6A runner-up Peters Township, which is supposed to be even better than a season ago.

Combine that with entering a much more difficult section in Class 5A, one that features Chartiers Valley, West Allegheny, South Fayette and Thomas Jefferson, the Hillers have their work cut out for them to qualify for the postseason for a sixth consecutive season.

And at least for the first half of the season, Trinity coach Bob Miles will have to do it without standout Riley DeRubbo. The junior suffered a non-contact knee injury in the final minutes of an AAU basketball game this summer in Kansas. She had surgery four months ago. Last year, DeRubbo averaged 17.1 points per game and just under five rebounds and five assists. She was named to the Observer-Reporter All-District First Team.

“We really don’t have a soft schedule but one that we can really learn from and helps us,” said Trinity coach Bob Miles. “What we are looking for is to stay above water and try to get that third or fourth playoff spot.”

The positive for Miles is that the group he has now, with DeRubbo providing leadership from the sideline, won’t stop working to stay above water.

“We have a bunch of kids who play extremely aggressive. We can play defense with anybody,” Miles said. “They are kind of fearless. I don’t think they fear anybody. They know what they’re going up against. They’ve accepted the challenge.”

The lone returning starter for Trinity, which went 20-5 overall and undefeated in section play (12-0) last season, is Julia Chakos, but the rest of the lineup saw playing time. Marlaina Bozek, Courtney Dahlquist and the Venick twins, Emily and Kaylin, will play the two guard spots.

For Miles, the challenge is reigning in, at least a little, the youthful exuberance and aggressiveness. The Hillers must play under control. The ability to slow the game down has been a strength of the Hillers for several years with players like Mary Dunn, Sierra Kotchman and Alayna Cappelli.

“That’s what we are struggling with right now,” Miles said. “We have to slow them down (on offense). If we go helter skelter, we will get blown out. That is an issue – not having a person slow us down and get organized. We are doing more game teaching than we have had to do in the last couple of years simply because how young we are. We are starting three sophomores, one junior and one senior. We can play defense but might have some problems scoring.”

Miles is hopeful there is silver lining in DeRubbo’s injury, which is healing. She plans to begin cutting and lateral movements soon.

“They have to except some of the responsibility and play at a higher level,” he said. “It has put some ownership back on (our other players). Losing Riley provides other kids to get quality game experience. Do they want Riley back? Without a doubt. We aren’t going to rush her back. That is the doctor’s and her parents’ decision.

“I think we are going to be a team you aren’t going to want to play from the middle of January on,” Miles said. “One of those sleeper teams that as the season progresses we will get better. We just need to get into the playoffs.”