Jan 26, 2025 4 min read

By JERIN STEELE

Staff Writer

jsteele@observer-reporter.com

The temperatures in the area have been frigid lately, but the Fort Cherry girls basketball team is feeling warmth.

Not only are the Rangers on fire on the court as winners of 12 consecutive games and atop the Class 2A Section 2 standings, but they’ve played like a tightly connected team.

It’s got them aiming toward winning a second straight section title.

“The closeness within this group is tremendous,” Rangers coach Clarence Edwards said. “We had five freshmen come to the team, so our juniors and seniors have done an excellent job guiding these younger players on the court. The returning players have the experience of being able to win a section and playing in a state playoff game against Kennedy Catholic.”

The veterans on the team include senior Olivia Kemp and juniors Brooke Cornali and Bella Bianchini. Another experienced player is Jazlyn Martino, a senior who did not play last year, but was on the team as a freshman and sophomore.

Kemp is the leading scorer, Bianchini has stepped into the point guard role and Cornali has been an all-around presence.

“Bella was behind Raney Staub, who was our leading scorer last year, and she learned a lot from her watching and being on the court at the same time with her as well,” Edwards said. “She’s stepped up tremendously. Her defense has really improved and she’s looking to score more this year.

“Brooke, I’m pretty sure she has the school record for high jump. She’s been huge on defense, because of her length. She’s done a good job attacking the rim and her outside shooting has been great as well.”

A couple of the freshmen that are playing key roles are younger siblings of teammates.

Gianna Bianchini is the younger sister of Bella and Amarah Martino is Jazlyn’s little sister.

Sophomore Emily Pfender had a career-high 14 points in a win over Carlynton on Thursday.

Then there’s sophomore Julie Klose and freshman Allison Litman, who have become fixtures in the post for the Rangers.

Edwards said it’s been a few years since the team has had multiple forwards and that’s helped when they’ve faced taller lineups.

There’s two wins during the streak that have stood out from the pack.

The first was actually at the beginning of the streak way back on Dec. 12 when the Rangers beat Chartiers-Houston 34-28 in a nonsection game.

Not only was it a quality win against a fellow WPIAL Class 2A section leader, but the Rangers did it without Kemp.

Kemp was still working her way back from an injury. She returned the next game against Carmichaels.

Edwards said the win was a major moment of growth for the team.

“That was a big-time confidence booster, because it showed us that we could go out there and play as a team and not necessarily lean on one player,” Edwards said. “That in its own helped us.”

The second big win came against South Side Beaver on Jan. 13, which gave Fort Cherry sole possession of first place in Section 2.

The Rams had a double-digit lead in the second half, but the Rangers rallied to win 50-45.

It was a nice comeback win against the team that eliminated them from the WPIAL playoffs last season.

“What it showed to me is that the girls have a no-quit attitude, ” Edwards said. “To be honest last season if we were down by 10 we had a hard time coming back. This year we’ve faced adversity against South Side and even (last) Monday night (in a nonsection game) against Waynesburg we came out a little sluggish. But they don’t let anything bother them. Our three-point shooting has been huge for us too. It’s the best outside shooting team I’ve had in my five years here.”

Fort Cherry split the section title with Burgettstown, but hopes to win it outright this year. The rematch against South Side Beaver will likely decide if they do. They play at the Rams Feb. 6.

“We just want to battle and play the best,” Edwards said. “We want to make the community proud and the school proud with the success that we have this year.”