Experienced St. Bede girls eying more postseason hardware

Two years ago, the St. Bede girls basketball team put things together in the second half of the season and went on to win a Class 1A regional championship.

Many of the key players from that postseason run are now seniors, and they’re looking for more success.

“We’re all excited,” senior Renn Ludford said. “We’re all super hungry. We’re ready to take the ball and get that regional win yet again. I’m very confident in our team and our abilities.”

St. Bede, which is seven wins from 600 as a program, also looks to be above .500 — a mark it hasn’t reached since 2015-16 — and compete in the Three Rivers Conference East Division.

“We definitely want a winning record,” senior Lia Bosnich said. “We want to be conference champs, of course. Everyone wants to be conference champs. I think with the motivation we have, it’s definitely a reachable goal.”

Offensively, the Bruins expect to have the ability to score inside or from the perimeter.

Bosnich was a NewsTribune and Bureau County Republican all-area pick last season after averaging 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

She’ll provide a presence in the paint along with Ryann Stoudt, Jaden Hart, Rylee McGunnigal, Morgan Nawa and Mia Waters, who can also player on the perimeter.

“I think our (offensive) game is mostly to look inside,” Bosnich said. “Our posts our ready and reliable. We can always kick it back out. We do have good shooting guards. ‘Take the shot’ is our motto this year.”

Ludford, Leah Smudzinski, Grace Maschmann, Abbie George, Payton Giordano and Ella Hermes all have the ability to sink outside shots.

“We have some good shooting guards on the outside, and we also have some really good posts like Lia Bosnich,” Ludford said. “I think she’s ready to come out strong and dominate.”

The Bruins don’t want to just stand on the perimeter and shoot, they also want to attack the paint, get to the free-throw line and score in transition.

“One of our goals is to have a high free-throw percentage,” Smudzinski said. “I feel like sometimes we struggle with making our free throws in games.

“Another team goal we have is limiting our turnovers.”

Smudzinski said it will be a process offensively as the veteran players blend with the five juniors and one sophomore.

“It definitely takes some time to work toward because we have so many plays, and memorizing those can be difficult, but I feel like once we start playing and getting used to each other, it will all mold together,” Smudzinski said.

The Bruins also look to be strong on the defensive end.

“I think we are always aware of where the ball is at,” Ludford said. “We’re always hustling to the ball and have a girl on the ball at all times. We know who is on our right and who is on or left and if anyone is crossing the lane or coming off a screen. We’re always helping our teammates and communicating.”

St. Bede head coach Tom McGunnigal has been placed on leave after “information has been brought to the attention of then administration that warrants a thorough investigation.”

Assistant coach Dana Jauch will coach the team in McGunnigal’s absence.