City of Basketball Love

By Dan Arkans (@danarkans)
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(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2024-25 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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Villa Joseph Marie seniors Riley Deal and Grace Pizzica have been playing basketball together as long as they can remember.

They played in recreation leagues, AAU leagues, and now high school together. The dynamic duo reached the pinnacle of their careers with a District 1 4A title last year, the first one since 2002 at Villa Joe.

To duplicate that feat again will be their most challenging hurdle yet on the basketball court.

“It’s been everything,” said Deal of her lifetime friendship with Pizzica. “This being our last season we want it to be our best one. We have learned everything together. We learned how to shoot a basketball together. This season means the most.”

When Pizzica and Deal were learning to dribble a basketball together at age 5 this might not have been the end game they were envisioning and it certainly brings up mixed emotions entering their senior season.

“It’s so sad,” said Pizzica of her final season with Deal. “Her dad coached me when I was little. We grew up playing together. It’s sad to know this is our last year. It’s great to have someone to play with that knows how to play with each other. That has been great.”

All that’s left for Pizzica and Deal is the final chapter. They began the journey at age 5 and now would love nothing more to close it out with another district title and maybe a state run for the Jems, who lost in the second round of the PIAA Tournament a season ago.

“I want to get back to the AACA playoffs and get back into districts,” Deal said. “I don’t want to drop off just because it’s a different team.”  

To get back to the top of District 1 4A and make another run at states will take a different kind of commitment from the senior leaders. In fact it will be that word leadership that Deal and Pizzica are using a lot during offseason workouts.

“I think the one biggest goal is to play together and never rely on one person,” Pizzica said. “We relied on our seniors last year. Now we are trying to figure out the underclassmen. Our one goal is to play together, get everyone on the same page. I have to step up and help out in getting more offense. That’s my one goal for myself.”

Villa Joe will have the same guard-oriented offense it has had the last few years led by Deal at point guard and Pizzica as a versatile wing. Returning from last year's rotation is 5-6 junior Haley Dickson, who figures to play a larger role this time around. Senior Sydney Houseman also figures to be in the mix for playing time.

Then the youngsters will take over led by sophomore Lucy Jasionis, who can play either point or shooting guard and has caught the eye of the coaching staff. Junior guards Kiki Hadgimallis also figures to be in the mix. Big things will also be expected of 5-foot-10 sophomore Avery Akright in the post.

“We are always going to go as far as we can,” said third-year head coach Caroline Gray of her expectations entering the season. “Winning states is the championship. We want to take it one step at a time as far as league, districts and states. If we can take it all the way there, hell yeah.”

The Jems will bring a strong offensive presence to the court once again this season. Gray describes it as an attack-style offense, which will allow them to get out in transition as much as possible.

Of course a lot of that offense will depend on how quickly the underclassmen can get up to speed.

“The sophomores and freshmen need to break out of their shell,” Deal said. “I have played with them. They are a bit shier. It’s going to be difficult breaking them out. I have full confidence in them.”

And then there’s the defense. It’s most notably what got the Jems a district title last year. Getting a starting five all committed on that end will start with those senior guards.

“Our biggest focus is playing tough defense,” Gray said. “It’s tough to get girls to buy into. It won us a district championship –  that’s what good communication leads to. The standard is high for that. I am looking forward to seeing the girls step up.”

The biggest hurdle this season is from going as an underdog especially in the AACA to being the hunted. The Jems are expecting everyone’s best shot this season.

“I think people are expecting us to go far,” Deal said. “We have the same coaches. We have me and Grace. We had a lot of subs coming in. I have full confidence they expect the same program they saw. It will be really difficult.” 

The defense, the leadership, the offense it will all start with that relationship between Deal and Pizzica. The duo is also expecting to take another step up on the court. Deal can’t lay back and set the offense this year, she will be the offense at times.

Pizzica can’t just blend in on the perimeter, but be counted on to grab rebounds and lead defensively.

“My coach would say to box out,” said Pizzica of the teams’ goals this season. “We are not a tall team. She really implements that in me. She hates when other teams get second chances.”

It’s just one more hurdle Pizzica and Deal are looking forward to climbing this season.