This article appeared in the Feb. 26, 1956, edition of The Derrick. Katie Koontz is believed to be the first girl from Venango County to make an All-America team. This was during a period when high schools didn't field teams. She starred on the Tartans with Sis Mooney, Margie Danzer, Mary Walentosky and Mary Burchanowski among others. Bob Tidwell was coach but the team was founded in 1953 by Beverly Lauffer (later Suhr). Koontz was also an outstanding tennis player and swimmer and was a cheerleader for OCHS.

Girls' Nights Out

Girls have done better at the next level of hoops than boys once they leave Venango County. Jodi Gault, one of the first stars of the "modern era" went on got become a big winner at Pitt-Johnstown.

On-again, off-again saga of girls hoops
 

Girls basketball has a checkered past in Venango County. Pictured here are the 1939 Cranberry Berries.