An infusion of young talent, paired with returning experience could help the Weatherly girls basketball program take a step forward this season. The Wreckers endured a tough 4-19 campaign last winter, but return several key contributors while adding a promising freshman duo expected to make an immediate impact.

Weatherly brings back three seniors who should anchor the lineup. Kelly Reiner led the Wreckers in scoring last season at 10.87 points per game. A reliable perimeter threat, she hit 22 three-pointers and showed an ability to get to the foul line with 101 free-throw attempts. Seniors Abby Weston and Olivia Marasco also return.

Juniors Jillian Russell and Courtney Snyder are also back. Snyder was second on the team in scoring last season at 3.35 points per game. Freshmen Maci Kane and Alexia Kehler are expected to step directly into the starting lineup, with Kane running the point, and Kehler slotting in at shooting guard. Senior newcomer McKenna Gerhard and junior Alize Way-Heffner will also see varsity minutes.

“I think we have a good mix of returning players and younger players,” said Weatherly head coach Jason Kane. “I think the two freshmen can come in and help right away, and we have a good group of experienced players coming back. I think you’re going to see a little more speed from us, and we will be able to get up and down the court more this season.”

Transition offense will be essential to Weatherly’s success, as Kane wants his team to push the pace and limit prolonged half-court sets.

“We want to get up and down the court. I would say that’s where we’re going to find more success,” Kane said. “We want to kind of stay out of running our offense out of the half court as much as we can. I think when we slow the game down, we don’t move as well. So, we have to try and move the ball and set good screens. We need to play fast. Not too fast, because I don’t want us to play out of control, but still fast. And then I’ve really been preaching for us to get to the rim. I don’t want us settling for jump shots. I really want us to attack the basket as much as we can.”

Defensively, the Wreckers leaned heavily on a 2-3 zone last year, but improved speed could allow for more variety.

“We were mostly a 2-3 zone team last season. That’s basically what we had to play,” Kane said. “I think we are a little quicker of a team this season, so we can mix it up a little more this season, and we can play some man-to-man as well.”

With a core of seniors, expanded depth and impact freshmen expected to contribute immediately, Weatherly is aiming for meaningful progress this winter.