First-year head coach Adam Pfingstler and 17 Johnsonburg Ramettes are preparing for the upcoming season, which tips off Friday, Dec. 2, at Coudersport.
The former Ridgway Lady Elkers assistant takes over for Sue Grumley. The retired coach is still mentoring at the middle school level.
After finishing as District 9 Class A runners-up in 2019, things have been tough win-wise. They were 2-18 the following year, 3-11 during the COVID-abbreviated 2020-2021, and 5-17 last year when several players were lost to injury.
"The girls are working hard and doing everything I'm asking," said the new head coach at Wednesday's practice. "They're excited, and that's the main thing. They want to start the season and prove they belong, and I think they will prove many people wrong this year."
Pfingstler, an instructional aide at the school, was sure to point out Grumley's contribution to the program.
"Through all the adversity during the COVID season and the injuries last year, Sue is the one that kept things afloat. She's willing to help in any way, which means a lot."
Three seniors are on the team. They include Annasophia Stauffer, Emma Myers, who missed the second half of last year due to injury, and Ella Lindberg, who last played as a sophomore. Junior Maria Casilio was a starter last year, and classmate Cadence Brechtel was a key substitute. Sophomores Natalie Dunworth, Zoey Grunthaner, Ally Notarianni saw action, and sophomore Kendra Freeman is back after being injured for most of last year. Eliza Jackson is also a sophomore. Mya Allegretto, Ella Halquist, Jenna Johnson, Tessa McCabe, Brooke Santoro, Ronnie Shall, and Gianna Zimmerman are incoming freshmen.
"I know I'm lucky because I've talked to other coaches around the district, and they're struggling for girls. I'm coming into a gym with 17 girls; some teams have seven or eight. So, hopefully, we can continue to build not only this year, but after, so the numbers stay this way," Pfingstler said.
Drew Ackers and Kyler Breakey are Pfinsgstler's assistants.