Women’s basketball: No. 22 Panthers set to start season against North Florida

At least 2,100 middle school students will watch the Pitt women’s basketball team when it… At least 2,100 middle school students will watch the Pitt women’s basketball team when it takes on North Florida in its season opener Tuesday. Tipoff for the game is set for 11 a.m.

Students and teachers from local middle schools will ride buses to campus to spend the day in the Petersen Events Center for a school day promotional event.

“I think it’s going to be a fabulous day,” Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato said. “It’s an opportunity for them to come to a college campus on a field trip. There are different curriculums the teachers can use in order to make it a learning experience.”

Some teachers might choose to focus on math, Berenato said, and the students can complete a statistical analysis of the game.

She said an English program could focus on writing an essay or news article on the game, while some students could focus on history by researching the players’ hometowns and what high schools they attended.

In their exhibition game, the Panthers defeated Seton Hill 91-60. Since then, Berenato said, the team has started focusing on intensity and defense presence in practice.

The players will work on further improving these skills against a veteran North Florida team, which returns three starters and eight players.

“They have a game under their belt, unlike us,” Berenato said. “They are very skilled and disciplined. It will be a challenge for us, and we’re excited to see where we fare with them.”

The Ospreys fell to No. 15 Florida State 79-50 in their first game this season.

Sophomore guard Brittany Kirkland led North Florida with 12 points, while freshman Dori Lansbach contributed 11.

Kirkland returns as the leading scorer after averaging 11.1 points last season. Forward Arlande Cherizol returns for her senior season after averaging 5.4 rebounds for the Ospreys last year.

This season marks the first year of full Division 1 eligibility for the Ospreys. They finished 8-21 overall and 7-3 in the Atlantic Sun Conference last season.

For the Panthers, the opening game marks the return of junior point guard Jania Sims. Sims suffered a season-ending injury in the Panthers’ first game last year.

Berenato said the team feels excited to have Sims back on the floor because she acts as a floor leader and a coach on the court for the Panthers.

“She knows every single player’s position on the court and every single play,” Berenato said. “If somebody forgets, she gives directions. We really haven’t had a point guard since she went out a year and a half ago.”

Sims scored 14 points and dished out eight assists in Pitt’s scrimmage against Seton Hill. Junior Shayla Scott led all scorers with 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Panthers started Sims and Taneisha Harrison in the backcourt and Scott, Kate Popovec and Selena Nwude in the frontcourt in the scrimmage against Seton Hill.