Area hoops players stock the rosters at Thiel, Westminster

Youngstown-area high school graduates and basketball players continue to find their way across the state line to Westminster and Thiel Colleges to continue their education and playing careers.
The men's and women's teams at both colleges have a combined total of 35 Youngstown-area players on the rosters, and some of them have been turning in outstanding performances, although none of the four teams has a winning record thus far.
In fact, the four teams combined have an 11-42 mark -- Westminster men (4-9) and women (2-11), and the Thiel men (2-11) and women (3-11) -- as of this past week.
But there are other measures of success, like having the opportunity to play and to improve, and all four teams did play well against each other last Wednesday and are hoping for turnarounds as the season progresses.
The Westminster men's team, guided by third-year coach Larry Ondako, leads the area delegation with nine players, including senior guard Mark DeMonaco (New Castle), who leads the Titans in scoring with a 22.4-point average, while sophomore guard Craig Hannon (Union) follows with 21.8.
Hannon sets school record
Hannon recently scored a career-high 45 points in the Titans' 117-100 win over visiting Thiel last Wednesday, in the Presidents' Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
His 45 points were the most scored by a Westminster player since DeMonaco scored 47 as a sophomore in 2003-04.
The Westminster record is held by John Fontanella, who scored 50 points in 1967.
The other area Titan standouts are sophomore guard Chauncey Whitlow (Wilson), No. 4 in scoring average with 10.8; senior guard Brian Fadden (Mohawk), No. 5 at 9.2. Sophomore forward Jake Zatchok (Western Reserve) is averaging 2.1 points.
The other players are senior forward Dom Joseph and freshman guard David Richards, both from New Castle; and freshman forward Mike Kobal and sophomore guard Bobby Preston (Neshannock).
Sterling is standout
The Westminster women's team, coached by fourth-year mentor Rosanne Scott (Struthers), has six area players, including junior guard Desiree Sterling (Newton Falls) who ranks second on the team in scoring with a 10.7-point average. Sophomore guard Emilee Ackerman is first (12.7).
Nicole Fee, a junior guard from Neshannock, is No. 4 (7.6) while Talley Felger, a junior forward from Springfield, is No. 5 (5.0).
The others are sophomore guard Allison Ginnetti (Struthers), sophomore guard Maria Joseph (Neshannock) and freshman guard Gina Brunetti (Cardinal Mooney).
The Thiel men, directed by fourth-year coach Mike Snell, have five area players, including freshman guard James Beedle (McDonald) who is the team's No. 2 scorer with a 9.4-point average behind sophomore forward Joe Herrmann (Jamestown, Pa.) with 16.6. Herrman also is No. 1 in rebounds (8.4) and assists (3.3).
Junior guard-forward Brad Bowman (Ursuline) is No. 4 in scoring at 8.1.
Also with the Tomcats are sophomore forward Mike Quaglia (Brookfield) and sophomore guard Gary Gates (Pymatuning Valley).
Bodrick off to great start
The Thiel women, coached by second-year skipper Artina Trader, also have five area players led by freshman forward Amber Bodrick (Cardinal Mooney) and junior forward Fontella Jones (Farrell). Bodrick leads the team in scoring average (18.2 points), rebounding (9.5) and steals (2.0 with 26 overall).
Jones is No. 2 in scoring (12.2) and rebounds (7.3) and tied for No. 2 in assists with junior guard-forward Nicole Valentino (Sharon) (2.1 or 27 overall). Valentino also is the No. 3 scorer (8.8).
Jones made the game-winning goal with 10 seconds left against Westminster last Wednesday to give Thiel a 61-60 win in the PAC opener for both teams. Bodrick contributed team-highs of 22 points, eight rebounds and five steals.
Also in that game, Sterling, Felger and Ginnetti were standouts for Westminster. Sterling and Felger grabbed 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively, while Ginnetti came of the bench to deliver a team-best six assists. Ackerman led the Titans' offense with 20 points.
Rounding out the area Tomcats are sophomore guard Amy McCluskey (Leetonia) and freshman guard-forward Ashley Williams (Hickory).
kovach@vindy.com