Hillen excited for the PSF women's hoop season
Scott Hillen is entering his ninth season as the head coach of the Penn State Fayette women's basketball team, and he says the goals never change for the program.
"Our main goal for the season is to win a championship, and it will always be that," he said. "Other goals along the way are to be competitive, make the playoffs, have a winning record, stay healthy, and most importantly, have a high GPA as a team and individually."
Successful seasons start in the offseason, and Hillen spoke about how it went for his team.
"I think the offseason went okay," he said. "We brought in four freshmen that will contribute. The team has been conditioning and lifting since school started, so they are putting in work."
Hillen will rely on Takiah Cheathon (Reisertown, MD/Franklin HS), although she is out of action for the first part of the season.
"Takiah was our second leading scorer last season, but she is injured to start her sophomore season and will probably miss the first half," he said.
Cheathon trailed only Taylor McCormick in points per game last season, and with McCormick moving on from the team, Hillen spoke about what he would like to have happen with this year's team.
"I want to see us have more balance (offensively) and move the ball more," he said. "The last few years, the team depended on Taylor and lacked confidence. I want everyone to be involved and have confidence to make plays."
A key with that for Hillen, who enters his 17th season overall as a college basketball coach, will be for the other experience returning players to step up. The group consists of Heaven Grum (Philadelphia, PA/New Foundation Charter), Daelin Burnsworth (Monarch, PA/Connellsville HS), Abby Bickerton (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS), and Stephanie Taylor (Manassas, VA/Osborne HS).
"We have a few returners with lots of experience," Hillen said. "Dailin is capable of being a top guard in the conference if she can get back to playing like she did before Covid. Heaven is one of the hardest workers we have and I'm expecting a breakout season from her. Abby and Steph have the potential to be very good forwards in the conference. Abby is one of the best defenders, but we need more offense out of her. They (the returning players) need to be more consistent."
Another player returning with more of a role this year, according to Hillen, is Pasepa Buwawa (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS).
"We have Pasepa, who is going to play for us for a full year," he said. "She is a volleyball player who has played a little for us over the years. I want to see what she can give us playing a full season, well after volleyball. I think she will be a big asset to the team."
Hillen said that all four freshmen will be given the chance to prove themselves, and the quartet includes Ava Hair (Turkey Foot, PA/Turkey Foot HS), Sophia Zolar (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS), Za'layah Edwards (McDonald, PA/Fort Cherry HS), and Regan Rudder (Clarksburg, WV/South Harrison HS).
"Our four freshmen will all contribute and have the opportunity to do well," Hillen said. "Ava is versatile and can do a lot of things. Sophia is going to be one of the most athletic girls in the conference and is all energy. She will score for us and be one of our best defenders. Za'layah is a great passer and can shoot very well. She will be handling some of the point guard duties. Reagan is a great shooter who will be a versatile guard for us."
Another addition to the team is assistant coach J'taya Pirl, a former player in the program.
"J'taya Pirl is my assistant and relates very well to the players," Hillen said. "She pushes them to work hard and is a great asset for the program."
Who are the teams that Hillen thinks are the frontrunners, at least on paper, in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC)?
"Beaver, Shenango, and Great Allegheny will all be fighting for first in the West and then Schuylkill and Lehigh will be the top in East," he said. "All of those teams will be ranked in the country at some point in the season."
Fayette opens the season on Friday, November 10 at Cincinnati-Clermont and then opens PSUAC play when it hosts Penn State Lehigh Valley on Friday, November 17.
For more information on the women's basketball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wbkb/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.
By: Bill Hughes