The new head girls basketball coach at Upper Perkiomen High School is quite familiar with the program. Kathryne Vetter, hired in August, served on the staff of

New head girls basketball coach for Upper Perkiomen High Schoo, Kathryne Vetter, meetes with the team during practise.

her predecessor. Vetter spent the three previous seasons as an assistant to Greg Swavely.

            "It's going pretty well," said Kaitlyn Mundy, a senior guard and a tri-captain. "We're doing good."

            The new coach, who graduated from Quakertown in 2013 and played for Swavely, was on the basketball team for three years at Delaware Valley University. However, knee injuries prevented her from playing for the Aggies.

            Vetter quickly applied for the opening with the intent help the players grow on and off the floor.  "Hopefully the players can get out of it what I did, which include life skills such as time management and dedication," she said.

            Vetter is working to build a team that generates offense by forcing turnovers and running the floor. According to Mundy, the team is working well as a unit in practice. "We're hoping to get some easy layups applying pressure on defense," the coach said. 

            Look for the Indians to run more fast breaks than the team that won four games overall and went 0-10 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference last season.  "We don't have as much height as last season," said Vetter, whose team will open its season Dec. 7 in the Tulpehocken Tournament. "We're trying to play faster and smarter."

            According to the coach, the group of determined players have bought into her program. Vetter said she has challenged them in practice. "I'm happy with their commitment," said Vetter, whose lead assistant Noah Barofski played at King's College. "They've put in a lot of hard work."

            Several of the returning players were happy to see Vetter get the job, according to Mundy. "I like the way (Vetter) teaches the game," the player said. 

            The coach identified three seniors who rejoined the team - center Mareika McStravick, guard Devon Harnish and forward Samantha Durkin - after not playing as a juniors.

            Vetter also stated that Mundy and her classmate Kayla Ramos, along with junior Ayden Pigeon and sophomore Olivia Rodgers will be the team's most important ball handlers. However, the coach wouldn't commit to how much playing time anyone would receive or who would start.

"No one's spot is guaranteed," Vetter said. "There's a lot of competition, which I like. The players will have to earn them on a day-to-day basis."

            Mundy said she expects to start the season as the team's shooting guard with Pigeon, who is working very hard on her passing and ball handling, at point guard. 

            "I'm hoping this arraignment works out well for me and the team," Mundy said.