After falling short in the WPIAL finals last season, the Beaver Area girls basketball team is not taking this season lightly—even with COVID restrictions.

As it did many other sports, COVID cut short the Lady Cats’ season while they were in the middle of their state tournament run last season. They had a great season last year with an overall record of 2–4. Sadly, they fell short to the Lady Warriors of Mohawk Area High School in the WPIAL finals at Peterson Event Center.

That early exit has been a motivator.

“We want to be a dominant force all around who other teams are going to fear when they see us on their schedule. We want to win the WPIAL and state championship if we’re able to make it that far with everything [going on],” stated senior forward Kenzie Weiland.

“We’re hoping to have another strong season. We have a nice, veteran group and some good young players, so we’re confident that as we come together as a team, we’ll be tough to deal with,” added veteran coach Greg Huston.

These Cats have a tough section this year as they move up to 4A when they have been 3A for the past two years.

“We definitely are going to have some big competition this year, specifically Blackhawk and Quaker Valley. Both teams have a lot of good players, but I’m confident that we will try our absolute hardest and show everyone that Beaver’s girls basketball is a very talented and well coached team,” predicted senior point guard Emma Pavelek.

The team has skill from the starting five all the way through the bench. With many talented seniors on the team, there are a few underclassmen who everyone should look out for on the court.

“I think all of our sophomores do a nice job. Every one of them has their own role that they fill nicely. Chloe List is a potential threat too,” expressed senior strong forward Maddi Weiland.

Understandably, COVID restrictions have been affecting all sports this school year. But the Cats have been making every sacrifice possible in order to have their season. Although some days have been hard, they have been pushing through.

“Wearing masks is hard to get used to at practice, but they are necessary if we want a season,” stated senior shooting guard Natalie Priest.

“It might be hard with fewer spectators and only a couple of parents [in the stands], but if they livestream [the games] I think that issue will be better,” said senior shooting guard Anna Blum.

COVID has not only affected their games and practices, it has also affected their fundraising. For the past few years, the team’s main fundraisers have been the annual Turkey Trot 5K and Maroon and Gray Night. Maroon and Gray Night is held the night before Thanksgiving, and it showcases Beaver Area’s boys and girls basketball teams at all ages.

Sadly, they were not able to complete this fundraiser this year due to COVID and its restrictions.

The Turkey Trot 5K was still held this year—but a little differently.

“The Turkey Trot was a virtual race. Everyone still got their race bags, numbers, etc. [Runners] just ran the course on their own time without the big crowd and could submit their time for a prize,” explained Kenzie Weiland.

Nonetheless, the team wants everyone to know that even though this season isn't the season that everyone expected it to be, they are ready to give it their all and hopefully return back to the Peterson Event Center where they want to come home with a WPIAL title.

The Lady Cats’ season tips off at home December 11 where they face the North Hills Indians.