Huskies hope to defend title despite losses

BY BRIAN CARSON

Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN—The Mifflin County girls’ basketball team and coach Aaron Gingrich hope to defend their district championship despite heavy losses because of graduation.

The Huskies, who won the District 6 Class 6A championship a year ago and made their first state playoff appearance, lost four starters and two critical backups to graduation. Gone are starters Brianna Bodtorf, Mya Aumiller, Emma Weaver, and Kate Knable. Tessa Pavlova, the first off the bench, and Abby Prendergast departed as well.

“These six girls were good players and even better young ladies. They played so many games together over the years. Their teamwork was amaz- ing,” Gingrich said. “It will obviously be difficult to replace these girls, but we must embrace a ‘next player up’ mentality this year. We have plenty of talented players on our team, and they have to step up and embrace their roles immediately because there are a lot of minutes to go around.”

Even with the heavy losses, the cupboard is not bare by any means. Senior 1,000-point scorer and Division I recruit Marissa Gingrich returns to lead Mifflin County. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) commit has rewritten the Husky record book.

“Obviously, Marissa Gingrich is the leader of our team. She returns as the league’s player of the year and led the league in scoring, assists, steals, and threes,” Gingrich said. “She will have a lot of attention on her from every team we play, but at this point in her career, she is used to it.”

Mifflin County enters the season with 19 girls on the roster, with plenty of talent clambering for playing time.

“It’s a solid turnout.

Amelia Leister and Aija Binder are our other two returning players with varsity experience. They both will have greatly expanded roles, and we expect them to have successful seasons,” Gingrich said. “Outside of those three, Mikayla Bodley, Sadie Fike, Tressie Bender, Rylee Retherford, Maelyn Gingrich, Rylie Hine, Jalee Bodtorf, and Gracen Haines are all in line to play significant varsity minutes. Game strategy and game script will most likely dictate lineup decisions, so each player has to be ready to excel in their roles.”

A strong group of newcomers provides depth, with some seeing significant playing time immediately.

“We have seven solid freshmen, Ava Baker, Addie Fultz, Piper Specht, Carly Dickson, Ciara Williams, Jacee Cunningham, and Mackenzie Peachey,” Gingrich said. “Also, Ryanna Smith is back this year after missing last year due to injury. All of these players are working very hard. Peachey and Cunningham are going to play significant roles on the varsity. The girls are working hard and learning their roles to make us successful.”

Cunningham is the daughter of former Mifflin County standout Jenny Cunningham. The Huskies went 13-3 a year ago in the Mid-Penn Keystone, with two losses coming to league-champion Cedar Cliff. Gingrich once again sees the Colts as

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