Nov 27, 2018 3 min read

The California girls’ basketball team has been one of the most successful programs in the area over the last five years.

The Trojans have compiled an overall record of 93-30 since 2013-14 and have collected a pair of section titles, two 20-win seasons, a trip to the WPIAL semifinals and a pair of wins in the PIAA postseason.

It will be a new era at Cal this season as assistant coach Chris Niemiec takes over the head coaching job after the departure of current athletic director Chris Minerd.

“We are really excited about this year,” Niemiec said. “The girls are bringing the right attitude into practices and they know there’s a standard here at Cal. We want to continue our winning ways and be as consistent as a program out there.”

Cal will have just one senior on its 14-player roster this winter, but the Trojans did drop to Class A for the next two seasons.

“We are a small team, so being in Class A really helps us,” said Niemiec, who has had prior coaching stints at Beth-Center and Jefferson-Morgan. “Every team in our section is the same size and it’s just a right fit for us. The travel is going to be tough, but whenever you are in Class A or AA, your section is usually spread out and you have to fight through those long bus rides.”

The Trojans will be joined in Section 2-A by Avella, Geibel, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown, Monessen and West Greene.

“West Greene is the heavy favorite this season and they have a lot of experience coming back from their run to the Class A title game,” Niemiec said. “They are just relentless on defense and I think everyone of us is looking up at them in the section. Our goal is to qualify for the playoffs and to constantly get better as the season goes along.”

With only three returning lettermen back, Cal’s projected starting lineup consists of senior Dejah Gudel, junior Charlee Petrucci, junior Sydney Smichnick, sophomore Makayla Boda and sophomore Ca’Mari Walden.

Early in the season, Niemiec wants his team to be a defensive-minded squad.

“Our main mindset has to be our defense,” he said. “We have to limit teams to one shot. We must contest that shot, and we have to rebound every possession. The defense has to carry this team, as we try to figure out our offense. I have always been a defensive coach, so we are going to rely on that and try to keep it low-scoring.”

The Trojans will begin their season Dec. 7-8 at their tip-off tournament versus Waynesburg at 6:30 p.m.

“I’m glad we are starting the season at home and you always want to take both games at your own tournament,” Niemiec said. “But as a coach, your focus is to just get one win. We know the competition is going to be tough, so we just want to start the season off at 1-0.”

Cal opens up Section 2-A play Dec. 13 against Mapletown.