As the 2014-2015 season gets underway, the Lady Panthers’ Basketball Team prepares for a winning season. The Upper St. Clair Lady Panthers finished the 2013-2014 season with a first round loss in the WPIAL playoffs and finished tied for second in the section. This year the Panthers have higher expectations for their season. So far on the year they are 6-4.

Although they are currently sporting a .600 record, the Panthers have a talented roster and coaching staff. With returning starters Madison Serio, Rachel Mazzie, and Diandra Conwell the Panthers lack neither experience nor skill.

In addition to Conwell, Mazzie, and Serio, Upper St. Clair has Ally Steve and Sarah McMurtry in the starting lineup. Playing large roles off the bench are Hannah Shephard, Peyton Bayer, Mattie Gronniger, Liv McClelland, Olivia Hutton, and Katie White.

The Panthers have solid guards in Steve and Serio. Also, they have three strong senior forwards in Conwell, Mazzie, and McMurtry.

Senior Diandra Conwell stated, “We’re all very good scorers and we can get to the basket.”

With a solid lineup that contains a good combination of size, speed, and skill the Panthers are legitimate contenders for the section IV title and WPIAL championship.

When asked who was going to be their toughest opponent Ally Steve and Madison Serio both said Bethel. Serio added, “They have a good coach and a lot of strong players.”

After last season, the Lady Panthers made a coaching change. Athletic Director Matthew Mellinger has been known to bring in coaches who provide two things that every player wants in a coach: experience and stability. That is exactly what the Lady Panthers acquired this year in head coach Pete Serio, who is the father of starting point guard Madison Serio.

Coach Serio has coaching experience with boys and girls and knows a lot about the game of basketball. Coach Serio commented on his goals for the season saying, “I’m looking forward to building relationships with girls on the team, working together and seeing what happens.” Coach Serio also commented that he wants to win a WPIAL championship, a goal most of his players share.