MVISBL girls coaches get first glimpse of draft prospects

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Bria Rathway watched with serious interest Monday evening as new, incoming players showcased their skills on the first day of tryouts for the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League’s girls division at Court Time Sports Center. 

Rathway, the head coach of defending champion AMD Industries, owns the fourth overall pick in Thursday’s draft after trading up two spots Sunday night. 

AMD sent its sixth overall selection along with Bethel Park sophomore guard Julia Benlock to Dax Thomas State Farm for the fourth pick. With eight players already returning, the most of any team in the division, AMD owns picks in each of the first two rounds. 

“After winning the championship with this team, I don’t think I really wanted to trade anyone or look at anyone new,” said Rathway, who led AMD to an unbeaten season last summer. “Tommy Rodriguez put the offer on the table and me and my coaches thought it would be a great help for our team this year.” 

Rathway still has time to evaluate talent as tryouts resume today in Elizabeth Township. 

Though she won’t yet reveal who she is looking to take with her first-round selection, Rathway knows she wants to select a player who fits into the team’s up-tempo style. 

“We want to do the same thing we did last year; we wanna play fast, up-tempo and press to make teams uncomfortable,” Rathway said. “There are a few times where we held teams to 10 or 15 points at the half last year, and that’s what we want to do again. I’m looking for girls who want to play defense and want to run. We want that defensive edge on people.” 

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