Mustangs want to get on the right track

BY ANTHONY FIUZA Sentinel sports editor afiuza@lewistownsentinel.com

MIDDLEBURG — After going winless last season, the Midd-West girls basketball team wants a fresh start in 2022.

The Mustangs finished last season 0-22 and fourthyear head coach Erica Wagner believes her team can improve by eliminating giveaways.

“Plain and simple, we need to take care of the basketball and limit turnovers, especially unforced turnovers. We will be young, but if we learn from our mistakes we will see the progression we are striving for and achieve the improvement we are hoping to see each and ev- ery day over the course of the season,” Wagner said.

Midd-West will have to climb upwards in the HAC-I, which includes Central Mountain and Lewisburg. Both of those clubs won 15 or more games a season ago.

When it comes to team goals, Wagner noted that creating a good atmosphere is vital to overall team success on the court.

“Our team goal is to create a positive atmosphere with a team first attitude. We’ll take one game at a time, control what we can and challenge ourselves to get better each day,” the coach said.

“Right now our points of emphasis in practice are playing as a team, communicating, and maintaining a positive attitude. We will focus on taking care of the basketball and making good passes on the offensive end in order to move the ball and get good shots. Rebounding at both ends of the floor is something else we will be focusing on as well.”

Midd-West has several returning players, including Emily Kline and Chloe Sauer, who could leave a bigger imprint on the team this season.

“As long as they are healthy, I expect Chloe Sauer and Emily Kline to take big strides as well as freshmen Cali Sauer, Gracie Trawitz and Emma Wagner,” Wagner said.

Midd-West also had a positive turnout before practices began this fall.

“I am pleased with the turnout for this season. We currently have 16 on the roster, which includes four new players mixed in with the five returning players and a promising group of freshmen who could make an immediate impact,”

Hoops

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Wagner explained. Joining Wagner on the Midd-West coaching staff this year are Jena Stauffer, who is an assistant coach and JV coach. Zoe Webb and Chris Sauer return as

28 volunteer assistants. The Mustangs will play in the Millville Tip-Off Tournament before having their home-opener against Columbia Montour VoTech on Monday, Dec. 5. on December 6 in a non-league contest. The complete Trojans schedule: December 2, at McConnellsburg, 5, at Fannett-Metal, 6, Huntingdon, 12, * West Branch, 14 at Penns Valley, 16, * at Williamsburg, 19, * Glendale, 21 at Claysburg-Kimmel, 23, * Moshannon Valley, 27-

January 6, * at Juniata Valley, 10, * at Bellwood-antis, 13, * Curwensville, 19, * at West Branch, 23, * Williamsburg, 26, * at Glendale, 30, * at Moshannon Valley.

February 1, Northern Bedford, 2, * Juniata Valley, 6, * Bellwood-Antis, 9, * at Curwensville.

ICC North games *