The Pitt-Johnstown women’s basketball team enters the 2025-26 season under second-year coach D’wan Shackleford-Vickroy with plenty of experience and a deep roster of returning contributors ready to compete in an always-rugged Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Leading that charge is senior point guard Riley Childress, who started all 27 games in 2024-25 while averaging 34.7 minutes per game. The veteran floor general paced Pitt-Johnstown in assists (4.4) and ranked second in scoring (8.4), serving as the engine of the Mountain Cats’ offense. Childress returns with an improved shooting touch from beyond the arc and a hunger to elevate her team’s tempo and execution.
Joining her in the backcourt is a mix of defensive grit and vastly improved perimeter shooting.
Lydia Miller, a sophomore guard known for defense and energy, is set to receive a more prominent role after averaging nearly 18 minutes and making six starts as a freshman. Senior Lexi Margolis, who led the team in 3-point attempts (119) and ranked second in assists (2.7) and free-throw percentage (76%), provides leadership and stability on one of the wings.
The Mountain Cats also bring back a wealth of youth that will look to battle for minutes.
Kate Myers proved to be a sharpshooter in her first season, hitting 40% from 3-point range. Gianna Gallucci, the hometown sophomore guard from Bishop McCort Catholic, made her mark off the bench with her ability to attack the rim and convert at the line, leading the team in free-throw percentage (88%) in 2024-25. Hayden Keith brings back experience and clutch shooting after starting six games and knocking down 33% of her attempts from deep.
On the wings and in the front court, Pitt-Johnstown returns a versatile and battle-tested group. Liv West is back healthy after starting every game in 2024-25 and leading the team in overall field-goal percentage (47%). M’Laya Ainsworth adds toughness and athleticism, coming off a junior campaign where she started 21 games, averaged 7.0 points and finished second in rebounding (4.7). Her defensive energy and improved ability to finish at the rim will make her a key two-way presence.
Sophomore forward Sophia Ott showed promise with her ability to stretch defenses, shooting 40% from beyond the arc and flashing versatility both inside and out. Meanwhile, Camille Dominick returns as Pitt-Johnstown’s primary rim protector after recording 18 blocks in 2024-25, which included a game-saving rejection in a double-overtime victory against Slippery Rock. Her improved finishing and mid-range touch add another layer to the offense.
In addition to being guided by program alum and familiar face Mia Oterson, the Mountain Cats added assistant coach Kendale Chambers Jr., who boasts three years of coaching experience having worked with Division II college, post-graduate and high school basketball programs.
With leadership at every position, an arsenal of shooters and a lineup stacked with experience, the Mountain Cats are primed to be a factor in the PSAC West Division. Pitt-Johnstown will seek to translate some of that offseason growth to the court, beginning with a matchup against Frostburg State in the Frostburg State University Jim Crawley Conference Challenge at 5 p.m. Friday.
