Hadzick returns to Weatherly girls program
bob for/times news Weatherly girls basketball team members are, front row, from left, Tracy Galada, Caitlin Lesko, Amber Dolinsky, Malanie Clabe and Devon Bizarre. Middle row, from left, Jaime Dougherty, Alicia Panzarella, Saranda Snyder, Sara Heister, Erin Dougherty, Heather Cichowic and Kali Coll. Back row, from left, Jessica Adamczyk, Amber Dolinsky, Kristina Hansen, Alexa Figas, Brittany Hinkle, Alexis Boyarski and head coach Paul Hadzick.
After two years away from the job, Weatherly girls basketball head coach Paul Hadzick returns to the helm and has every reason to be pleased with the program he is inheriting again.
Hadzick, who has been involved in coaching for 28 seasons, will take over a team that won seven games a year ago.
His daughter, Tara, has graduated, along with Chelsea DeMoor and Paige Corra. However, a wealth of experienced Lady Wreckers return for this season.
Senior center Caitlin Lesko will be looked to for maintaining the inside game.
"She will be responsible for a lot of rebounds," Hadzick said. "She has good inside moves and also adds a nice outside shooting touch."
Melanie Clabia, another senior, will be at guard.
"She is a solid ball handler and a nice outside shot," Hadzick said. "She got a lot quicker, which comes into play on the defensive end of the floor, too."
"Nicole Calia is not afraid to take the ball to the basket and adds some more outside shooting touch and Alexa Figas is a tall guard. She has some great moves to the basket, she handles the ball well and brings some more rebounding help."
Calia is a senior forward. Figas is a senior guard.
Saranda Snyder, a senior guard, gives Weatherly another good shooter.
"She's a really good three-point shooter and goes to the basket well with a strong left hand," Hadzick said.
Weatherly possesses a wealth of depth this season and, depending on the strategy/night, will look to such players as Brittany Hinkle (Jr., C), Jaime Dougherty (So., F), Tracy Galada (So., G/F), Alicia Panzarella, Sarah Heister (Fr.) and Erin Dougherty (Fr., G).
"(Hinkle) is fast as a deer and can take alley-oops in the air. (Galada) is capable of playing numerous positions with strong defensive ability. (Panzarella) is a ball of speed that can tear up the nets from three point range, is a heavy duty defensive player and strong ball handler."
The Lady Wreckers will be a pressing team and will try to run the ball.
"We're going to get away from the motion type of offense, move the ball, get to the basket and incorporate a Princeton type of offense this year," Hadzick said.
"Our goal is to be competitive and although we may not win District Eleven, we're hoping to get better with each day that passes. Since we're underdogs, we really don't have anything to lose and we should be able to take it to some of these other teams."
Hadzick sees Nativity, Marian, Shenandoah and Mahanoy to be tough on the schedule but he is really happy with his seniors in the early going.
"The maturation and leadership roles are starting to happen already and they want to have this year be their best year," Hadzick said.
"They want the younger kids on the squad to help them reach that success, too."
