COLLEGE BASKETBALL Miketa to leave Baldwin-Wallace team

The junior guard from Girard High will take care of her ailing mother and work on academics.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- Allison Miketa, a 5-foot-8 junior guard for the Baldwin-Wallace College women's basketball team and a pre-medicine major from Girard High, is planning to leave the team after Christmas.
Miketa is cutting short her career to take care of her ailing mother and to prepare for her medical school exams in the spring.
A key back-up player the past two seasons, Miketa helped the Yellow Jackets to two straight Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships.
Last season, she had 17 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while playing in 20 games.
This year, she played in six games and had four rebounds, two assists and two steals, as B-W posted a 4-5 record, including 2-3 in the OAC.
Team support: "Allison is making a very important decision to put family first, and we all support her in that decision," said B-W coach Cheri Herrer. "She has meant a great deal to our program, both on and off the court. Allison is a hard-working, intelligent young lady who is a great role model for our younger players.
"She will still be listed on the team and attend some games and have a place on the bench," Herrer said. "We just wish we can do more for Allison. We will miss her leadership on an every day basis."
Miketa is the daughter of Marie and Russ Miketa.
Also at B-W is Greg Fitzsimmons from Columbiana High, a 6-4 freshman center who is with the junior varsity team.
"Greg is gaining valuable experience on our junior varsity team," said coach Steve Bankson.
Fitzsimmons also is a pre-medicine major and the son of Geri and Robert Rubicky.