Grove City Lady Eagles
Head coach: Chris Burtch
2019-20 Record: 22-4
Playoffs: Beat General McLane in District 10 Class 5A quarterfinals, 45-27; Beat Warren in District 10 Class 5A semifinals, 53-45; Beat Slippery Rock in District 10 Class 5A championship, 52-41; Lost to Woodland Hills in PIAA Class 5A first round, 69-26
Top returning players: Becca Santom (5’6 senior, 17ppg, 881 career points;) Clara Hannon (5’8 senior 14ppg, 818 career points); Alli Lewis (5’8 senior), Emma Santom (5’7 junior), Hannah Reiber (5’4 junior)
Top players lost: Katie McDowell, Kenzie Haggart
Key newcomers: A terrific 5’4 freshman named Piper Como and a 5’8 sophomore Delaney Callahan will help this year, as will a 5’5 junior named Selah Severson.
Keys to the season: I think the biggest key for us be creating similar chemistry to the past two years. We are 40-8 over that time, and a lot of that is due to the offensive talent of Santom and Hannon, but the seniors from two years ago and then last year’s seniors were such GREAT leaders and selfless teammates! The past two years have been a dream to coach, we will miss those kids, and will need to somehow replicate that chemistry. We’ll also need to stay hungry during this odd season.
Things your team is doing during the COVID-19 pause of winter sports: We are doing what we’re told, following protocol perfectly in hopes that doing everything right will help us out. Hopefully all other schools are too. We try to meet occasionally on a Zoom call. I think the key is going to be everyone following protocols and getting the numbers down!
