Embrace the pressure.

This year’s star-studded Jim Thorpe girls’ basketball team has high expectations. From the time the “fab four freshmen” finished an undefeated regular season and won a Schuylkill League title four years ago, winning district championships and making deep runs into the state tournament have been the goals.

But despite all the regular season success the Olympians have enjoyed during that stretch, they have fallen short of their postseason goals.

The core group are now seniors, who have averaged nearly 23 wins a season during their first three years. They are returning for their last and what they hope will be the best season.

With three Division 2 college commits and two veteran complimentary players, Thorpe can run out a starting lineup that can match up with some of the best teams in the state.

Begin with Holy Family University commit, two-time Times News Player of the Year, and three-time All State guard Skyler Searfoss, who averaged nearly 17 points a game last year. The senior playmaker turns the key to the engine of the Olympians’ well-oiled machine. Searfoss can score from anywhere on the court and is a defensive ball hawk.

Next is Kutztown University commit and 1,000-point scorer Leila Hurley. A long range sharp-shooter who also threw down a twin digit average a year ago, Hurley has become a double threat with her ability to score in the lane off the dribble.

Finally, there is Olivia Smelas, another Kutztown recruit. She’s a power source inside the paint and leads the team in rebounds off both the offensive and defensive glass.

To complete this year’s projected starting five are Leah Snisky - an “in your face” defender who can knock down the open jumper - and junior Mackenzie Yuhas - whio brings a slashing, driving presence to the offense with quickness and athleticism.

Second-year coach Nadia Gauronsky believes that this year’s squad will also benefit from a full summer league schedule and more time to get acclimated to the coaching staff.

“With a new staff and Covid last year, we didn’t have the necessary time to work together,” she said. Gauronsky points to some stepping stones her team took last summer: winning the Holy Family Invitational Tournament with an undefeated record while playing against perennially solid programs from the greater Philadelphia, Allentown, and Scranton areas.

Gauronsky said that depth will also be a significant upgrade this year.

“Last year, we had to play some girls from the junior varsity who lacked experience, but now we have a solid group who can give us some quality minutes.”

One of those girls is junior Haley Smelas. She saw plenty of court time after Yuhas was injured in the beginning of last season. “Haley is underated,” said Gauronsky. “She’s a good player who keeps improving her game.”

Gabby Cinicola and Sarah Hartman should also see important court time. Cinicola is very quick with an excellent shot while Hartman can play the point and is a defensive specialist. Amara Robinson, who offers size and AAU experience, and senior Hailey Fiorito round out what could be the deepest Olympian rotation in recent memory.

Although Jim Thorpe features a talented, veteran roster, Gauronsky feels there is still room for improvement.

“We need to be better in big moments in games against really good opponents.” she said.

Gauronsky was also emphatic in stating that a win is not a good win unless they “win well.”

“We win well when we execute the game plan depending upon who we’re playing,” she said. “We might win because we have more talent, but that’s not our objective. We’ll have specific goals for each game that we want to reach.”

In addition to their Schuylkill League schedule, Thorpe will play Lake Lehman, Dunmore, and Riverside - all traditionally strong programs - to help them get battle tested for the teams they will face in the post season.

The players and coaches have all bought into the “family” theme - which Gauronsky said means that “we have each other’s back on and off the court,”

The five seniors are calling this year the “Last Dance.” They believe that a combination of talent and hard work can have them dancing on the court while celebrating championships in post season play this March.