Riverview girls welcome new coach, return plenty of talent

Nov. 27—The Riverview girls basketball team went through change in the offseason after the Raiders took part in the WPIAL playoffs for the ninth year in a row.

Jill Catanzaro stepped down after four years at the helm of the program, and Andre Carter, also the school's athletic director and a volunteer assistant last year, was named coach in June.

He guided the mix of returning players and newcomers in open gym workouts as the team, with increased numbers from last year, began to take shape.

Fall sports participants in cross country, soccer and volleyball now have come together with the season fast approaching.

"The excitement level is high," Carter said. "There's been a lot of energy in the gym. We've had 10 to 20 girls attending open gyms at different times."

Riverview saw last season end in heartbreaking fashion in the WPIAL first round. The Raiders fell to Rochester, 57-53, as the Rams rallied from down double digits in the second half.

Offseason change also took the form of a farewell as Riverview will have to replace two of the more productive Raiders players in recent seasons.

Kat Tsambis earned Valley News Dispatch Player of the Year honors after averaging 18.3 points. She scored 20 or more points nine times and reached double figures in 18 of Riverview's 19 games.

Lily Bauer, the team's leading rebounder, was selected to the VND second team.

Senior guard Isabel Chaparro, a VND first-team pick last year, will shoulder a lot of the leadership duties on and off the court in her return after a junior season that saw her finish second on the team in scoring (14.1) and provide 7.6 rebounds a contest.

She scored a season-high 25 points in the Raiders' playoff loss to Rochester.

"Isabel is just an outstanding shooter who should continue being very productive for us," Carter said.

Junior guard/forward Juliette Brun, sophomore guard Elise Bear, junior guard/forward Blake Huffman and senior center Lana Lynch are back ready to make an impact.

The expected expansion of the rotation this year will be supported by the influx of freshmen that includes Mia Murphy, Molly Sikora and Gianna Brenza.

"We have a really strong core of returnees who want to win," Carter said. "Everyone loves to play defense. They really get after it."

Of the 13 players signed up to play before the start of official preseason practices Nov. 14, eight are freshman. Carter understands some patience will be needed as the young players get acclimated to varsity basketball.

But he is excited there will be enough players for the return of a JV team this season.

Carter said the section will be strong again with Winchester Thurston hoping to defend its outright championship.

The Raiders' two losses in section came to the Bears.

Apollo-Ridge and Ellis tied for third and qualified for the playoffs.

"The games (with Winchester Thurston) were competitive, though," Carter said. "I feel we will be extremely competitive again this year."

Carter said preseason scrimmages are a good chance to assess the progression of the team.

That will continue into the season with the season opener Wednesday at Springdale.

Riverview will play in the Aquinas Academy tipoff tournament Dec. 5-6 with the host Crusaders, Seton LaSalle and California.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at [email protected].