By ADAM BREWER
MVI Sports
It’s a new era for Ringgold girls basketball, but it got off to a rocky start for first-year coach Matt Regula as all Rams’ athletics were temporarily paused due to the pandemic on Nov. 20.
Regula only got to coach three practices before the shutdown.
“I’m not actually too concerned about it,” said Regula, who coached at Derry previously. “We will get the number of practices in before our first game, and I just told the kids to relax and think about what they can do to improve their individual game. We are going to be a work in progress and we still have to get that comfort level with everyone.”
Regula is focused on developing a defensive identity for the Rams this season and beyond.
“It will always start with defense for me,” Regula said. “You win games with your defense. Your defense should be there every game you play, while you can be hit or miss on offense. We want our defense to be our calling card and our goal is to limit the opposition to just one shot on every possession.”
Ringgold is coming off its second straight year of missing the postseason, after qualifying in eight of the previous 11 years.
The Rams went 9-13 overall and finished sixth out of eight teams in Section 3-4A with a 4-10 record last season. They averaged 38.2 points per game, and only allowed 40.3 points per game a year ago. They lost four seniors from last year’s squad.
This winter, Ringgold will move up to Section 3-5A and will be joined by Albert Gallatin, Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, Thomas Jefferson, Trinity and Uniontown.
“I think TJ and Trinity will be the heavy favorites in the section,” Regula said. “They have a lot of talent and plenty of playoff experience. I think AG is up and coming as well. I truly believe we can compete for a playoff spot and we are looking to improve our section record from last year.”
TJ and Trinity were the only teams to make the playoffs last season from the newly formed Section 3-4A. Both teams lost to Chartiers Valley — TJ in the semifinals and Trinity in the finals.
Among the players looking to make an impact this winter will be junior Kirra Gerard, sophomore Abbigale Whaley and freshman Angelina Massey.
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