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First Posted: 11/20/2014

YATESVILLE — The goal never changes.

“Win every single game,” Pittston Area coach Kathy Healey said. That goal is certainly feasible heading into the 2014-15 campaign for the Lady Patriots.

The Patriots turned in a 21-6 record last season and will be losing just two key contributors from last year’s team. Jackie Rabender and Eastin Ashby are gone. But seniors Allie Barber and Liz Waleski are back.

“We’re definitely hungry after last year’s finish,” Healey said. “Our goal is always to win every game. A league title, district title – everything is in our sights.”

Rabender was one of those players that could score 20 points without even knowing it. Ashby was the Patriots shooting threat. She set a record for most threes in a game with eight against Dallas. Barber and Waleski can certainly fill that void.

That duo has been playing on the court together since their freshman season. Their chemistry is impressive, Healey said. Barber is no stranger to the spotlight. She was the catalyst to Pittston Area’s District 2 soccer title this past season. Waleski was also part of that team.

In last year’s PIAA District 2 quarterfinals, Barber hit a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining to lift the Patriots to the semifinals. Pittston Area eventually lost to Scranton Prep, and then to Holy Redeemer in the third-place game, finishing their season.

Waleski can score, and Barber will be looked upon to shoot a little more often than she has in the past.

“We’re looking to score a lot more from Allie,” Healey said. “She’s the leading scorer in soccer. She needs that in basketball, too.”

Alongside of Waleski, the duo can make some things happen.

“They’ve been together since their freshman year,” Healey said. “Their chemistry is amazing. They don’t even have to look at each other and they know where each other is at.”

Healey has seen a lot of improvement in Barber and Waleski. But she’s most impressed with how the two have grown into a leadership role throughout their careers.

“They’ve always been good athletes,” Healey said. “The younger kids look up to them.”

Senior Marley O’Brien, junior Jamie Chisdock and sophomore Taryn Ashby will also be returning for the Patriots after receiving significant playing time last season. This is one of the deeper teams Pittston Area has had in recent memory. Most of the girls played competitive Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) ball this summer.

The Patriots will be able to go about 10-deep, all upperclassmen. As of right now, Barber and Waleski’s starting spots are set in stone. That’s it.

“Everyone cares who starts,” Healey said. “We care who finishes.”

Sophomore Kirsten Durling and junior Megan Cummings both played AAU ball this summer against some of the best teams around. They’ll be contributors this season.

The Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 is always a slug fest, according to Healey. Once again, Hazleton Area, Crestwood and Dallas will be the teams to beat. Healey said Berwick will have almost everyone back.

“The league is always tough,” she said. “We had some battles with Berwick last year and they have almost everyone back.”

Pittston Area opens its season on Wednesday, Dec. 10 hosting Northwest.