To build a basketball program that has struggled in recent years requires a strong commitment, and Jim Thorpe believes they have the man to do it with first-year coach Tom Ferguson.

Ferguson comes over from being an assistant at Lehighton under Nadia Gauransky.

“I learned a lot from Nadia, and not just about Xs and Os,” he said. “She’s good with keeping the emotions of her players focused on performing the best they can.”

Ferguson takes on the challenge of a program at Thorpe that has won just three games in the last two years, and has already taken steps to lay the first building blocks of a foundation that he hopes will bring both short-term improvement, and long-term success.

“We played summer basketball, something that was not in place the past few years,” he said. “We played very competitively. We also worked out offseason in the weight room and on the running track.”

He plans to dress all 16 girls on his roster for varsity games, and the numbers will allow his younger and inexperienced players to play junior varsity.

At the center position will be junior Jaylah Yeakel.

“She’s our enforcer, our muscle in the middle. She’s very aggressive, and we’ll count on her for rebounds,” said Ferguson.

Sophomore Ciara Lees will handle the point and direct the offense with her athleticism. She’s a soccer athlete whom Ferguson calls their “utility knife” because she can dribble, pass and shoot. At the other guard spot will be freshman Olivia Snisky.

“Olivia has the green light on 24-7,” said Ferguson. “She plays with great confidence, and she carries a swagger onto the court that has been missing in this program for the past few years. She is going to become a very special player.”

Sophomore Brooklyn Yuhas will play forward.

“Brooklyn has not been counted on for scoring in her younger basketball years, but that will change this season,” said Ferguson. “In our summer games, she was our leading three-point scorer, and we expect her to continue her good shooting during the season.”

Ryah Confer rounds out the starting five. The sophomore is a reliable ball-handler, and plays terrific defense.

In the rotation mix will be the team’s only senior, Makena Scherer, who “will not think twice about diving on the floor for a loose ball”, and freshman Avery Garrantano, who Ferguson says has never missed a workout or practice and will fill in wherever she is needed.

Conditioning has been emphasized, as the Olympians will lack some depth as the season begins.

“The commitment has been there ever since I took over,” said Ferguson. “With our workouts, we competed over the summer with only six girls, but they had as much energy in the fourth period as they did in the first.”

Thorpe is expected to rely on athleticism and speed.

“We will run the court and try not to overthink. Our game will be defending into offensive transition and getting to the basket.”

With the return of four starters, this year’s edition of Olympian girls basketball figures to show improvement that they hope will turn into more victories.

“Our junior high program is on the rise, and we had to actually make cuts this year. Our seventh-grade group, we believe, will be exceptional and when they are freshmen, they will join a solid senior-heavy team at the varsity level.”