Raiders look for offensive boost

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

November 29, 2005 Last Updated: November 29, 2005 12:36 PM High School

Seneca Valley girls basketball coach Todd Schoeffel has no problem with the balanced scoring.

He's just hoping there's a few more points to go around this season.

The Raiders featured five players who averaged between 6.8 and 8.6 points per game on last year's 13-11 squad.

SV returns all five of those players, led by junior forward/guard Chelsey Pavlick, who managed the high end of that scoring ladder a season ago with just under nine points per game.

Also back for another year are senior forward Ashley Turici and junior guard Kelsey Spencer (both at seven points per game) along with senior Tina Mangola and junior Amanda Johnson (both at 6.8).

"We're going to rely on balanced scoring once again," said Schoeffel. "But we'd like to see that scoring range between the girls get up to between 10 and 12 points per game.

"There will be nights where one girl leads the way in scoring, and then the next night it will be somebody else."

Pavlick, Turici and Johnson will be the starting front-court.

The Raiders' biggest loss to graduation was point guard Val Johnson, who tallied 46 assists and 15 steals last year.

"Between (Spencer and Mangola), they'll probably go back and forth with handling the ball," said Schoeffel. "And the other one will be the shooting guard."

Mangola led the team with two assists per game last season. She also paced the Raiders with 22 three-point goals.

Spencer, who stands 5-feet-11, also showed she can be a force from the perimeter with 18 shots made from behind the arc.

But the team's biggest bright spot a season ago was rebounding.

Turici led the team with eight boards per game, but also turning in strong seasons on the glass were Pavlick (5.7), Spencer (5.3) and Amanda Johnson (4.8).

"Rebounding is an attitude," said Schoeffel. "We were out-rebounded in just three games last season. Many times we limited teams to just one shot. That's a big reason why we held teams to (39 points per game).

"But once we get the rebound, we have to make sure we don't turn it right back over to the other team. That happened a few times last year."

Seniors Mangola, Turici and Pavlick will be looked upon to keep the team focused.

"I'm expecting those three to be positive with the other girls and lead by example on the floor," said Schoeffel. "Just the things they've been doing so far."

The Raiders' Section 3-AAAA opponents include

Shaler, Butler, Fox Chapel, New Castle, North Hills, North Allegheny and Pine-Richland.

"New Castle is the favorite right now," said Schoeffel of last year's section champ. "They're looking to have a strong year."

The Raiders will open the season Friday at the Franklin High School Tip-off Tournament.

SENECA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2005-06 Girls Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3-

at Franklin Tip-Off Tournament;

Dec. 5-

at Hampton;

Dec. 6-

MARS;

Dec. 12-