Kerschbaumer takes reins of KC girls basketball

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

December 01, 2005 Last Updated: December 01, 2005 12:26 PM High School

First-year coach Dave Kerschbaumer doesn't need to be told about high expectations at Karns City.

He served as an assistant to Larry Deal one season, then the next five under Chris Bellis.

Now, it's Kerschbaumer's turn to keep things going. He has a young team, but experienced.

"We expect to be there at the end of the year," said Kerschbaumer. "At Karns City, we strive to do that every year. We'll keep working and working hard. You can't ask for more."

Forward Haley Callihan and point guard Allyson Kepple proved to be a solid 1-2 punch for the Gremlins last year, despite the face Callihan was a sophomore and Kepple a junior.

They were two of our leading scorers as underclassmen," said Kershbaumer. "They started about three-fourths of the games. We threw them into the fire and they did well.

"Haley's the leader of the team. In some games, we'll go as she goes," Kerschbaumer added.

Callihan averaged 12.3 points, six rebounds and three assists and added 48 three-pointers and was a second-team All-KSAC as well as Butler Eagle All-Star selection.

Morgan Summerville, who graduated averaged 7.4 points while Kepple averaged 6.3 points per game and chipped in with 20 three-pointers.

But don't expect just those two to carry this team. Kerschbaumer saw several players step up at various times a year ago.

"We've got eight or nine girls that will see the majority of the time," said Kerschbaumer. "They're interchangeable. "I tell the girls it doesn't matter who starts, but who's in there at the end of the game.

"We'll do some different things. It's a nice thing to have," he added.

Kerschbaumer is looking to players such as senior forwards Ashley Fuhrer, Melissa Collier, Brianna Markle and Mallory Craig as well as junior guard Kailyn Weibel, junior forward Tausha Bowser to build on their play for last year.

"They've been around long enough. They'll all be there," Kerschbaumer noted.

Another plus for this season is bringing on Courtnay Rattigan as an assistant coach. Rattigan helped guide the Gremlins to the 1999-2000 state championship squad.

"She just graduated from IUP and will be very helpful for the girls," said Kerschbaumer. "They respect her. She's been in the wars before. She's one of only two-time captains at IUP and that's an honor."

Kerschbaumer is seeing Union as the team to beat in the KSAC this year, but there's nothing that says his team can't contend for the title.

"I think Union is first with the run they've been on and all those players back," said Kerschbaumer. "I see Clarion-Limestone there too. We've seen them three times this summer. There's Cranberry and Moniteau and I think we're right there."

To get there, Kerschbaumer can't stress enough the important of a strong defensive effort.

"Our biggest thing is we have to play team defense. You always go as far as you're defense goes. We have to communicate. If we do that, that will lead into offense and lead to baskets.

"If we do that, it'll be really, really helpful for us," Kerschbaumer added.

KARNS CITY HIGH SCHOOL 2005-06 Girls Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3-

KARNS CITY TIP-OFF TOURNAMENT;

Dec. 7-

at East Forest;

Dec. 9-

A-C VALLEY;

Dec. 13-

at Moniteau;

Dec. 15-

KEYSTONE;