The Greater Latrobe girls basketball team is headed to the playoffs after a hard-fought win over Kiski to secure 3rd place. Under the leadership of head coach Mackenzie Livingston, the Lady Wildcats played with determination and teamwork, stepping up in the biggest moments. Their strong effort throughout the season paid off, and now they’re ready to take on the postseason.
On January 28, the team traveled to Kiski where they knew what was at stake and rose to the occasion. Millersville commit Carley Berk led the way for the Wildcats with 20 points, which helped the Wildcats come out victorious with a 38-28 win. “Carley’s vision on and off the court and leadership has really helped us get to where we are,” said Livingston.
With the win, Latrobe secured third place in the 5A section behind Indiana and the undefeated Penn-Trafford Lady Warriors.
Greater Latrobe’s success this season has not been solely the result of one or two players; it has been a team effort for the Lady Wildcats. New players have stepped up in ways the Wildcats have not seen in previous years. “We have players this year who haven’t had any playing time. Especially Maggie Maiers who went from litte time last year to starting every game this year,” said Coach Livingston, “And then we have Brie Havrilla and Emry Bridge who have kind of taken over handling the ball a little bit more than they ever had.”
The team’s chemistry this season seems to be unmatched from past years, which has led to their success on the court. “Throughout the season, we have developed strong chemistry on and off the court that has also improved our communication on the court, which will be crucial in high-pressure situations,” said Maggie Maiers.
With only a few practices left before playoffs, the team works to utilize this time to prepare for tougher competition heading into the playoffs. “We work hard every single practice, always giving 100% and knowing going into every game that if we don’t play strong and physically it could be our last game,” said Maiers.
The Wildcats have suffered several close losses this season, but the team’s motivation stays strong as the playoffs approach. “I think we really have to step it up and then going into playoffs, we just need to take it one game at a time,” said Coach Livingston.
As the regular season comes to an end, the Lady Wildcats are nowhere near ready for the season to be over. “Nobody on the team is ready for the season to be over yet, so making the playoffs feels good,” said Carley Berk.
At this point, the team is unsure who their opponent will be in the first round of playoffs however they will be ready for any circumstance. “Our ability to adapt and support one another will better our performance, allowing us to face any challenges that come during the playoffs,” said Maggie Maiers.
