Slippery Rock Rockets
Boys
Coach (season, record): Phil Bushre (4th season, 28-37)
2010-11 overall record: 10-12
2010-11 region record (place): 4-12 (eighth)
2010-11 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Brian Giesler, Alec McDeavitt, Andrew Waryanka, Cody Wolinski
Top returning players: Ryan Thompson, Sean White, Caleb Whitney, Ty Udy, Dan Bertozzi
Assistant coaches: Randy Giesler, Jourdan Bryant
Outlook: Slippery Rock made things tough on opponents last winter and the experienced Rockets will look to take the next step this season. Fourth-year coach Phil Bushre has some production to replace as Brian Giesler, Alec McDeavitt, Andrew Waryanka and Cody Wolinski have graduated. Giesler is playing for Grove City College, while McDeavitt is at Butler Community College. The Rockets have five strong seniors back, including Ryan Thompson, Sean White, Caleb Whitney, Ty Udy and Dan Bertozzi. Thompson, White and Whitney are returning starters, while Udy and Bertozzi were key reserves last year. Whitney could be the key in the paint at 6 feet, 5 inches, while juniors Ryan Currie, Dustin Mellot, Mike Rummel and Bobby Paczkowski could be big-time contributors this season. Slippery Rock has an aggressive team with good chemistry and depth. The Rockets could be a top contender in Region 7 this winter.
Schedule
December
9-10 Fairview tournament
16 at Grove City* 7:30
20 Franklin* 7:30
27-28 Freeport tournament
January
3 at Meadville* 7:30
6 Hickory* 7:30
10 at Sharon* 7:30
13 Oil City* 7:30
17 Farrell* 7:30
19 at George Junior 7:30
21 at Titusville* 7:30
24 Grove City* 7:30
27 at Franklin* 7:30
31 Meadville* 7:30
February
2 at Hickory* 7:30
4 Sharon* 7:30
7 at Oil City* 7:30
10 at Farrell* 7:30
13 at Ellwood City 7:30
17 Titusville* 7:30
Girls
Coach (season): Christin Miller (1st season)
2010-11 overall record: 10-12
2010-11 region record (place): 5-7 (tied for third)
2010-11 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Molly Weitzel, Jackie Basta
Top returning players: Breanna Northcott, Morgan Siebka, Haley Angerette
Assistant coaches: Matthew Stebbins, Marissa Manko
Outlook: Slippery Rock is under new direction this year as Christin Miller takes over as head coach. Miller was an assistant at South Park for four years and is hoping to get Slippery Rock back into the playoffs. The Rockets lost Molly Weitzel and Jackie Basta to graduation but have an experience group back. Senior Breanna Northcott is back along with juniors Morgan Siebka and Haley Angerette. Northcott missed the beginning of last season with a knee injury and unfortunately injured her other knee in the offseason. She will miss the first half of the season after averaging 11 points per game last year. Siebka averated 15 points per game last year and looks to be the leader of the team this year, while Angerette is a versatile player that scored 9 ppg as a sophomore. Riley McGonigle, Michelle Hartzell, Anna Cessar and Ellie Shaw could contribute as well this season. Hartzell, Cessar and Shaw bring senior leadership to the table, while McGonigle, a sophomore, is an up-and-coming point guard. Region 5 is pretty wide-open after Franklin and the three playoff spots available will be tightly-contested for. The Rockets can be in that race if they build some chemistry in a new system.
Schedule
December
13 at Neshannock 7:30
15 at West Middlesex 7:30
19 Meadville* 7:30
21 at Hickory* 7:30
22 at Farrell 7:30
January
5 at Oil City* 7:30
9 Titusville* 7:30
12 Grove City* 7:30
17 at Sharpsville 7:30
20 at Franklin* 7:30
21 Indiana 12:30
26 at Meadville* 7:30
28 Hopewell 8:30
February
2 Hickory* 7:30
4 at Seneca Valley 7:30
6 Oil City* 7:30
9 at Titusville* 7:30
11 Ambridge 12:30
13 at Grove City* 7:30
16 Franklin* 7:30
Wednesday: Strong Vincent, Titusville
– Tom Reisenweber
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