Knights get whole new look

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

November 25, 2005 Last Updated: November 25, 2005 12:57 PM High School

SAXONBURG — If coaches like to be challenged, Knoch girls basketball coach Curt Vasas should love this season.

All five starters from last year, Nicole Reiser, Liz Burgard, Jen Robinson, Lauren Koegler and Maria Frey, have graduated. While at Knoch, they led the program to consecutive WPIAL playoff seasons and a 32-16 record over the past two years.

Now, Vasas is in his third year and 90 percent of his scoring is gone.

Reiser is playing at Pitt-Greensburg, Robinson at Allegheny College and Burgard at Butler County Community College.

"Those girls established a tradition here and the players on the roster now are determined to continue it," Vasas said. "Their work ethic has been impressive."

The two most experienced players back are junior Pam Gagen, who will likely play point guard, and Lizz King, a junior forward.

"They both played decent minutes last year," Vasas said. "Kristin Robb will provide us with senior leadership because she saw time last year as well."

Robb is competing with junior Ashley MacArthur for a guard spot. Junior Leanne Wiefling and sophomore Megan Gray are battling for time at the 3-guard spot.

The center spot is open and 6-foot freshman Sara Montgomery will see minutes there.

"She's young, obviously, but she played on our summer team this year and held her own," Vasas said. "There's no question she'll be dressing varsity."

One thing Vasas has is numbers. He has 25 players dressing varsity and/or junior varsity.

"The numbers will sort themselves out," he said. "Right now, I'm not sure who will dress varsity and who won't."

Knoch's summer league team played .500 basketball. The Knights' junior varsity team was a game above .500 last year.

"The good thing is these girls have been able to play together for a long time," Vasas said. "They played together on the freshman team, played together on junior varsity, now they're playing together on varsity."

The coach said he has players who can score 10 or 15 points in a game, but maybe not on a consistent basis.

Knoch will strive to win low-scoring games anchored by aggressive defense.

"Our offense really has to be balanced," Vasas said. "We'll play up-tempo, press quite a bit and try to create points off turnovers."

As usual, Knoch's section will be talented — but with a different look.

"Mars has a new coach, Hampton has a new coach, North Catholic's coach is back (from suspension), Burrell has a new coach and Kittanning has everybody back," Vasas said.

"It's going to be interesting. We had a good team the last two years, finished third and fourth in the section, and could have won it either year. Then we beat a section champion in the playoffs last year.

"Whoever makes the playoffs out of our section will be ready for the playoffs. We have all the components to get there. It's just a question of gaining experience and putting everything together," he added.

KNOCH HIGH SCHOOL 2005-06 Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3-

at Karns City Tip-Off Tournament;

Dec. 5-

at Peters Township;

Dec. 8-

AVONWORTH;

Dec. 10-

at St. Joseph;

Dec. 12-

at Freeport;

Dec. 15-