KINGWOOD — The Preston High School girls’ basketball team recently celebrated one of its most treasured traditions in anticipation of the upcoming season.
Each year, the girls take part in a regular practice, with time devoted to weight lifting, conditioning and a light shoot-around. Then, the girls and coaches go shopping for the less-fortunate. They take names from an angel tree and pick out gifts in an effort to make Christmas special for others in Preston County.
“Always the most-enjoyable practice of the year,” head coach Brian Miller said in a social media post. “The kids donate their own money. They pick out everything. All credit goes to them.”
This year’s Knights squad is looking to build off last season’s 6-16 record. They started off the 2021-22 campaign with a win over Trinity Christian, then picked up victories against Elkins, Fort Hill (Md.), Grafton and Bridgeport, as well as Oklahoma’s Choutteau-Mazie in a holiday tournament.
Preston recently scrimmaged Allegany, Md., at home in the debut of the new basketball court at The Castle Gym. The Knights are scheduled to open the regular season on Dec. 7 at home against Laurel Highlands, Pa.
A tall task for this year’s team will be replacing 1,000-point scorer Carsynn Sines. She was one of the two girls in PHS history to reach that milestone mark. Other graduating seniors were Natalie Annon, Leah Elliott, Hannah Cramer, Kinley Manko, Breanna Sphar and Izabela Stahl.
This year, seniors Emma Wilson and Kendall Stiles will be the leaders on an overall young roster.
Other players include juniors Alauna Wilson, Payton Rumer and Ella White; sophomores Hallie Simmons, Ally Sheets, Hanna Wolfe, Gracie Wilson, Kendra Nazelrod, Cameryn Sypolt, Ava Bishop and Hannah Zuchowski.
Some freshmen may see playing time, too. Myla Wotring, Vera Straser, Camdyn Metheny, Jillian Conn, Isabella Miller, Jade Parker and Kinsey Wiles are all first-year players at the high school level.
Miller has been coaching PHS since 2005.
By Matthew Peaslee
TWEET @DomPostSports
