DEFENDING CHAMPS Howlandhoping to repeat in MAC

The Tigers expect competition from co-champion Canfield, Poland and Salem.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
Four teams are expected to compete for the 2002-03 Metro Athletic Conference girls basketball crown.
Last year, John Diehl's Howland Tigers, led by Marianne Krezeczowski, went 22-3 overall and 8-2 in the MAC. Their season ended with a regional loss to state champion Cleveland East Tech.
Leading the Tigers will be Darcy Quinlan, the 5-10 senior point guard who has a scholarship to play for Ohio University next year. Quinlan averaged 12 points per game last year.
The Tigers have eight seniors returning, including 6-0 forward Kristina Ferenac, who averaged 10 points as a junior.
Playing center will be 6-3 Michelle Rura, who averaged eight points per game despite missing a lot of time because of a knee condition.
Other Howland seniors expected to contribute are 5-6 guard Kristy Krezeczowski and 5-3 guard Meredith Schneider.
Cardinals lack height
Challenging the Tigers will be last year's co-champion, Canfield. Pat Pavlansky's Cardinals have six seniors returning from last year's 15-6 team, but with little height. Gone are the 31 points per game contributed by Nicole Vlajkovich and Erin Martin.
Forwards Jill Vertanen (5-11, senior, eight points, five rebounds) and Corey Hoffman (5-11, junior, four points, five rebounds) will lead the attack underneath the basket.
Trying to feed them the ball will be senior point guard Kelly Williams (5-4, five points, four assists). Williams was the point guard two years ago when Canfield played for the Division II state title.
Jamie Dunn's Poland Bulldogs will revolve around 5-7 senior guard Kristy Gaudiose, who has a scholarship from Youngstown State University.
The darkhorse in this year's MAC race is Steve Stewart's Salem Quakers, who have seven letterwinners returning from last year's 13-10, 5-5 team.
Cotter leads Quakers
Leading the Quakers will be junior guard-forward Alyson Cotter (5-11), who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds a year ago. Playing center will be junior Lauren Teal (6-0, nine points, 16 rebounds, two blocks).
Salem's senior guards are Abby Markovich (5-7, eight points) and Tiffanie Heestand (5-7, 10 points). Junior guard Lizzie Jesko is recovering from a knee injury and is unlikely to play.
Rebuilding are Niles (5-15) and Struthers (5-15).
Former Mineral Ridge coach Jerry Postlethwait takes over at Niles. His leading weapon will be 5-7 junior guard Stacia Ray, who averaged 18 points last year.
Struthers coach Anne Wilson has a young team led by three seniors who are recovering from surgery: Kourtney Wolfgang (5-5, guard), Kristy Marapese (5-5, guard) and Laura Bell (5-11, forward).