By Larry Gabriel Jr.
Banging the boards and cleaning up a mess in the paint. Gathering an errant shot and putting it in the basket. Diving on the floor for an elusive ball and restoring order to a chaotic, bodies-scrambling sequence. Nailing a shot from the perimeter or driving down the lane for a bucket.
Carbondale Area senior, Brittany Mang is as blue-collar a player as it gets. The four-year varsity performer won’t win style points on the hardwoods for any ballet moves to the basket or effortless long-range conversions but she does win over the respect of her opponents and teammates with her relentess hard work on the court.
“Her aggressiveness and willingness to go all out on every play is her major asset,” said head coach, Will Reckless. “Once in a while she’s too aggressive and gets herself in foul trouble but I can’t ever fault her effort. She’s full throttle every dribble.”
Mang, who played a key role as a freshmen and was a starter as a sophomore when the Chargerettes produced a 22-2 mark en route to a Lackawanna League Division III title, has seen her role grow each season.
“She’s obviously a go-to player,” said Reckless. “She can slash and take the ball to the basket. She rebounds for us, handles the ball and keys our defensive effort. She’s also a scoring threat.”
Through the Chargerettes first 10 games, Mang led the team in offensive rebounds, steals and assists while also leading the team in scoring at 14.6 ppg. In addition to those categories, Reckless keeps a positive-negative entry that keeps track of rebounds, steals and assists then subtracts turnovers from that total. Mang tops the team in that overall category at +77. Her tireless effort in the lane via putback shots or drives to the hole also sent her to free throw line more than anyone on the Chargerettes.
The Chargerettes, who started Division II second half play with a 5-9 overall record, may have struggled in the first half of league play but there is plenty of action left before the district tournament.
Mang sees that as an opportunity to peak at the right time.
“We played well at times,” said Mang. “Early in the season, we put together our best team effort at Western Wayne and beat them. That game stands out for me.”
Western Wayne played in a special playoff for the first half title in Division III, so, the Chargerettes could be a team-to-watch in the second half or come playoff time if they are firing on all cylinders. With Colleen Walsh, Cassie Catanzaro also double digit scorers and Jodi Wallis and Chelsey Frazier key contributors, the squad could be a danegrous foe.
For Mang, each game is 32 minutes of e-n-e-r-g-i-z-e-d motion. “I believe my strength is my hustle,” offered the veteran performer. “With each possession, I try harder and harder to make something positive happen.”
That attitude is never more obvious then when a rebound is up for grabs or a loose ball is on the floor. Bumps, bruises and cuts attest are proof.
“I know I need to improve on my shooting,” said Mang. “That’s probably my weakness.”
While Mang believes her shooting is an area to improve upon, her desire to succeed shines brightly. Bright enough that she may eventually play D-III hoops since her overall game and tireless effort has attracted local college interest.
Bumps, bruises, cuts and ice packs. It’s all part of being a blue-collar player. It’s all part of Brittany Mang’s basketball reality.
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By Larry Gabriel Jr.
Banging the boards and cleaning up a mess in the paint. Gathering an errant shot and putting it in the basket. Diving on the floor for an elusive ball and restoring order to a chaotic, bodies-scrambling sequence. Nailing a shot from the perimeter or driving down the lane for a bucket.
Carbondale Area senior, Brittany Mang is as blue-collar a player as it gets. The four-year varsity performer won’t win style points on the hardwoods for any ballet moves to the basket or effortless long-range conversions but she does win over the respect of her opponents and teammates with her relentess hard work on the court.
“Her aggressiveness and willingness to go all out on every play is her major asset,” said head coach, Will Reckless. “Once in a while she’s too aggressive and gets herself in foul trouble but I can’t ever fault her effort. She’s full throttle every dribble.”
Mang, who played a key role as a freshmen and was a starter as a sophomore when the Chargerettes produced a 22-2 mark en route to a Lackawanna League Division III title, has seen her role grow each season.
“She’s obviously a go-to player,” said Reckless. “She can slash and take the ball to the basket. She rebounds for us, handles the ball and keys our defensive effort. She’s also a scoring threat.”
Through the Chargerettes first 10 games, Mang led the team in offensive rebounds, steals and assists while also leading the team in scoring at 14.6 ppg. In addition to those categories, Reckless keeps a positive-negative entry that keeps track of rebounds, steals and assists then subtracts turnovers from that total. Mang tops the team in that overall category at +77. Her tireless effort in the lane via putback shots or drives to the hole also sent her to free throw line more than anyone on the Chargerettes.
The Chargerettes, who started Division II second half play with a 5-9 overall record, may have struggled in the first half of league play but there is plenty of action left before the district tournament.
Mang sees that as an opportunity to peak at the right time.
“We played well at times,” said Mang. “Early in the season, we put together our best team effort at Western Wayne and beat them. That game stands out for me.”
Western Wayne played in a special playoff for the first half title in Division III, so, the Chargerettes could be a team-to-watch in the second half or come playoff time if they are firing on all cylinders. With Colleen Walsh, Cassie Catanzaro also double digit scorers and Jodi Wallis and Chelsey Frazier key contributors, the squad could be a danegrous foe.
For Mang, each game is 32 minutes of e-n-e-r-g-i-z-e-d motion. “I believe my strength is my hustle,” offered the veteran performer. “With each possession, I try harder and harder to make something positive happen.”
That attitude is never more obvious then when a rebound is up for grabs or a loose ball is on the floor. Bumps, bruises and cuts attest are proof.
“I know I need to improve on my shooting,” said Mang. “That’s probably my weakness.”
While Mang believes her shooting is an area to improve upon, her desire to succeed shines brightly. Bright enough that she may eventually play D-III hoops since her overall game and tireless effort has attracted local college interest.
Bumps, bruises, cuts and ice packs. It’s all part of being a blue-collar player. It’s all part of Brittany Mang’s basketball reality.
