BELLEFONTE – After a season where the Bellefonte girls basketball team posted a lot of young talent on their roster, the feisty group of players unfortunately played tough but ended with a record of 1-20.

The Red Raiders are hoping to continue to grow, mature and build off last year’s record to make a special 2025-26 season.

The team will once again be coached by Marissa Ward. She will be assisted by longtime veteran coach Bob Sealy.

The Red Raiders lost only three from last year’s team by graduation.

They were; Jaylee Lose, Taylor Brown and Lexi Fravel.

This season, the Red Raiders return six letter winners from last year’s squad.

Returning for this season for Bellefonte will be Gianna Jasseh, Talia Cotter, Ava Lose, Anika Fetzer, Hannah Sampsel, and Emerson Holderman.

Ward has a solid group of players who she will be looking for for leadership.

“I’ll be looking for leadership from Gianna Jasseh, , Talia Cotter, Ava Lose, Anika Fetzer and Hannah Sampsel,” said Ward.

At this moment, there are no younger players that will be looking for playing time as the team is more settled into veteran players.

The veteran coach sees her team’s strengths will come from being comfortable in their routine on the court.

“We will be able to get a lot of reps in so hopefully be able to execute well,” said Ward.

Some of the weakness for this year’s team will come from its total line up size.

“We are very low in numbers this season,” added Ward.

The team is taking their goals quarter by quarter for success.

“We want to play one quarter at a time and win each quarter,” said Ward.

Two teams that Bellefonte has on their schedule that look tough to their coach will be Bishop Guilfoyle and Hollidaysburg.

The Red Raiders first game was on December 3rd when they played Huntingdon.