WBB, No excuse season

The 2022-23 Penn State Fayette women's basketball team might be small in numbers, but that doesn't mean that they are going to use that as a crutch.

"Two players transferred out and others did not return due to personal reasons," said eighth-year coach Scott Hillen of his team's low numbers. "We wish them all the best, and while we have low numbers, we will not make excuses."

Taylor McCormick (Laurel, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt HS) is the lone full-time returning starter on the roster.  She averaged 20.3 points per game last year.

"Taylor is one of the best players in the conference and the country," Hillen said. "She is an All-American, a great student and a great athlete."

Two other players, Abby Bickerton (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS) and Stephanie Taylor (Manassas, VA/Osborne HS) both started games last year and played significant minutes.

"They started at times last year and will be returning," Hillen said. "Their roles will increase.  Both showed they can be double double types of players and will be expected to do that this year."

Last year, Bickerton averaged 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest while Taylor averaged 3.8 points per game.

There are three freshmen on the team, and Hillen said they will bring their respective skills to the team.

"Since there are not many returners, I will say we have three good freshmen that are joining us that will have significant roles with the team," he said. "We are adding a multi-sport athlete in Angel Buawa from Laurel Highlands High School who will have a big impact for us."

What are Hillen's goals and expectations?

"The expectations and goals are always the same," he said.

"We want to be competitive and compete for championships, both conference and national.  Two keys to season are staying healthy and hungry. 

"Who are the top teams in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference, according to Hillen?

"Obviously Beaver, Greater Allegheny, and Dubois are the top teams in the West," he said. "Lehigh and Schuylkill are the top teams in the East.  Everyone is top competition for us.  We need to take one game at a time."  

For more information on the women's basketball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wbkb/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.

Written By: Bill Hughes