PHOENIXVILLE GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Phoenixville Area High School girls basketball program is on the upswing under head coach Erik Rutchauskas, who is in his second year at the helm, and assistant coaches Ashley Dvorak and Brian Tell.

The Phantoms have already bettered last year's record of four wins by several games. They stand at 3-8 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference following Tuesday night's 46-38 victory over visiting Upper Perkiomen. Overall, they have an 8-11 log with a youthful roster that includes just two regular seniors in Chelsea DiFebbo and Janay Winston.

Phoenixville hopes to return to some of its glory years in girls basketball with a stronger youth feeder program in order to acquaint girls with the experience necessary to succeed at the high school varsity level. There are many skills involved in playing basketball and girls must continue to hone those skills with consistent practice and work.

As veteran opposing coach Joe Masleh of St. Pius X said after a recent game, the Phantoms are on the right track and will do quite well in the future under Rutchauskas' leadership. It will just take time for the girls to develop and progress in his program against the many top teams in the area.

It is difficult trying to revive a program that has struggled for a long period of time.

Posted by
Barry Sankey