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Sunday 8 January 2023 | 18:57
Courtesy of Shadyside Academy
Shady Side Academy’s women’s basketball coach, Jonna Burke, is in her 28th season. She also coached teams at Butler and Bethel Park.
The 2020-21 Shady Side Academy Women’s Basketball Team finished a shortened season with a 1-10 record.
Less than two years later, the Bulldogs have completely turned things around.
Heading into the second week of January, they are 10-1 overall, tied for first in Sections 3-3A and second in the latest Trib HSSN rankings.
There are two reasons for this aspect of the SSA program.
one is a coach. District women’s basketball legend Jonah Her coach Jonah Burke headed her coach at Bethel her alma mater Bethel Her Park for 26 years before heading to Shadyside her 2nd year at her academy It’s her second season.
The second is the influx of new talent. Three great freshmen have played a big part in the Bulldogs’ success this season.
Maggie Spell is leading by averaging 21.4 points per game and Carice Thomas adding 16.8 points per game.
“Honestly, it’s special to have them together,” Burke said. “If only one of them was on the team, I don’t think things would have been the way they are. I can’t focus on them. They’re his 1-2 punches that are really strong.”
Freshman Kathy Sauer (6ft 2) also had a big role. She joins her two older sisters on the team, Kate Sauer, 6 to her 3-year-old senior, and Charlotte Sauer, her 6-foot junior.
All are daughters of the late former Shady Side Academy star Pete Sauer.
“(Kathy) probably has the most potential of the three,” Burke said. “She takes a lot of time for us. She and her sister are like subs to each other. They’re very similar. Kathy has a little more range in her game She can hit a midrange jumper and floor it a bit.”
Cate Sauer led the team in scoring a year ago in Burke’s first season when Shadyside Academy finished 9-12 and lost in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
“Kate is a great athlete. She is a great leader for our team.”
Last week, SSA closed out the week with three more wins in the first two section games after a 66-34 win over Apollo Ridge on Tuesday and a 62-34 win over Burrell on Thursday. He beat Sewickley Academy 63-29.
The win over Apollo Ridge was historic for Burke, making her the fourth active women’s basketball coach to reach the 500-win plateau.
“I’m about 28, so things like this don’t happen overnight,” Burke said after the Vikings’ win. “I have been really lucky. I’ve been really lucky to have them.
The Bulldogs have a difficult week ahead as they host Mount Pleasant (9-3, 1-1) on Monday and Deer Lakes (4-8, 2-0) on Thursday.
Watch the Mt. Pleasant at Shady Side Academy match on Trib HSSN.
Tags: Shady Side Academy
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