Melanie Greco named California girls basketball coach

By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports

The California Area School District has a new girls basketball coach after hiring Melanie Greco to the post at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Greco, who replaces Chris Niemiec, was hired by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

Niemiec coached three years and compiled a record of 34-26 at California.

Cal Athletic Director Ray Huffman said all district coaches are hired year-to-year and he said Greco, a Beallsville resident, was hired at a salary of $3,920.

“We’re very happy to welcome Mel to our athletic family,” said Huffman, “She has good coaching ability and knows how to relate to the kids. I’m looking for a smooth transition.

“We had several quality candidates apply for the position.”

Greco is no stranger in girls basketball circles as she previously worked as a girls and boys varsity cage assistant at Beth-Center and also coached in the district’s middle school program in the past.

Last season, she served as a boys varsity assistant under her husband, Bill Greco, who is the Bulldogs’ head coach.

Ten years ago, she started the former J. Budd Grebb Summer Girls Basketball League and held the post of commissioner and head coach in the program, which is now known as the Mon Valley Independent Summer League.

“I’m super excited for this opportunity,” Greco said after landing the job. “It’s exciting because California has a solid tradition in both girls and boys basketball and I look forward to adding to that tradition.”

A year ago, the Trojans went 11-4, including a 7-1 slate in Section 2 2A that was good enough for second place in the standings.

The Trojans reached the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

“I know a little about their team because I was able to watch them on TV on the MVI sports site,” Greco said. “I know they have some young players and I’m confident there is the talent there to win right away. They definitely have some speed and skill.”

Greco, who is a licensed social worker, said she hopes to put her imprint on the program right away,

“I value effort and defensive play,” she said. “I prefer man to man defense, but we will be playing different types of defense.

“Offensively, our plan will be dictated by what the defense gives us, but I do prefer to play a quicker paced game so we will try to play an up-tempo style of offense.”