Dec 6, 2022 3 min read

When the Belle Vernon girls basketball team’s senior class was entering its freshman year, many who have followed the Leopards felt this could be the most talented in the program since the group that won the Leopards’ only three section titles, from 1997 to 1999.

Three years later, this senior class has one more crack at raising its first, and the program’s fourth, section title banner.

Third-year head coach Kaitlyn Slagus spoke about goals and expectations for the season for the team, which returns four starters.

“Talking with the players about their goals at the beginning of the season, it was clear that they all agreed on a couple main goals, one being a deep playoff run,” she said. “I believe if we can stay healthy throughout this long season and take care of business, it can be a really fun year with this group. We just have to stay focused on the goal and trust the process.”

Three seniors are returning starters, and a healthy Jenna Dawson will be key for the Leps.

“For us, Jenna is returning not only her leadership skills on and off the court, but she has also worked extremely hard over the summer to improve all different aspects of her game,” said Slagus. “Jenna has the ability to score at all different levels and has proven herself to be a true threat on the court.”

Heading into ninth grade, Dawson was considered the top player in the talented class. After starting as a freshman, she missed her sophomore year with a knee injury. Last season, she showed flashes at times of what she was able to do before the injury but wasn’t back to full strength.

The other two retuning senior starters are Presleigh Colditz, a combo guard, and forward Farrah Reader, a physical and aggressive player inside. A fourth returning starter is point guard Tessa Rodriguez.

Slagus said Dawson and Colditz are the team leaders.

“They have done an incredible job leading the underclassmen through the offseason workouts and helping catch them up to speed with everything,” she said.

The fifth starting spot is still up for grabs. Five players are fighting for it, as well as playing time, and they quintet includes senior Lilly Kerns, juniors Kenzi Seliga, Nina Francia, and Caroline Lee as well as sophomore Victoria Selembo.

When asked who she feels is the top team in the section, Slagus did not hesitate.

“Elizabeth Forward,” she said. “EF is well-coached and has talented players.”

The other teams in Class 4A Section 3 are Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Southmoreland, Uniontown and West Mifflin.

The Leopards are off to an 0-3 start but have played a competitive schedule. Two of the losses have come against private schools (St. Joseph and Seton LaSalle) and Class 6A foe Baldwin.

The Leopards host Charleroi on Monday and begin section play Dec. 15 at West Mifflin.