Girls basketball has begun, and the team is off to a great start!

The girls’ first official game was in a tip-off tournament December 3 which was held at Brentwood, but they played against West Mifflin. The Bobcats secured their first win 51-32.

They advanced to play Brentwood in the tournament championship the next day in which they defeated the Spartans 51-12.

Sophomore Emerson Connelly and senior captain Hailey Tooch won the all-tournament team, and junior captain Chloe List won Tournament MVP.

Other team captains include seniors Lauren Hansen and Constantina Krzeczowski, and junior Lauren Nesbella.

Prior to the wins, Coach Huston said, “every new season brings about a certain amount of nerves because you never know what to expect, but we have a nice group of girls that has been working hard, so I feel confident in our preparation.”

This is Huston’s fourteenth season coaching at Beaver Area. He explains that this year’s team is “a really fun group to work with, although sometimes they can be a little quiet. But we are working on a new offense this year, and sometimes it’s nice to try new things and grow as a team.”

Currently, List averages 13 points per game, Connelly averages 11 points, and Hailey Tooch averages eight and a half points per game.

Before the official start of the season, the girls participated in the annual Maroon and Gray Night where the district’s basketball teams all split in half and scrimmage against each other. The event is a special night for the basketball community that is designed to show off the athletes’ skills, prepare them for the games ahead, and to generate excitement for the start of the season.

“I like that everyone gets to support one another,” said sophomore Chloe Tooch about the event.

The next morning, the girls team hosted the annual Turkey Trot 5K run. The race is a Thanksgiving tradition for the Beaver Area basketball community, and hundreds of all-age runners participate each year. Money raised from the event directly supports the high school girls basketball team.

The Bobcats are scheduled next to take on Burgettstown this evening. Both teams are currently undefeated with a 2-0 record. Good luck, girls!