METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | Girls Basketball preview

ALLIANCE
The Aviators did not respond to repeated requests for information.
CANFIELD
Head coach: Pat Pavlansky, 9th year at Canfield (130-59), 13th overall (166-108).
2002-03 record: 12-11, 6-4 MAC, sectional champions.
Returning letterwinners: Corey Hoffman (5-11, Sr., 9.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2nd-team all-MAC ); Emily Wollet (5-9, Sr., 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds); Stephanie Zunic (5-6, Jr., 3.3 points, 2.2 assists); Whitney Zunic (5-5, Sr.); Nikki Garrett (5-5, Sr.).
Newcomers: Laura Vershum (5-11, Sr.); Kerrie Haurin (5-10, Jr.); Brittany Yurchyk (5-5, Sr.); Kendra Siddall (5-5, Sr.); Danielle Pavlansky (6-0, Soph.); Liz Vernal (5-3, Soph.).
Outlook: Seven Cardinals graduated from last year's team, including Jill Vertanen (11.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, first-team all-MAC), Mara Boak and point guard Kelly Williams (6.5 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, second-team all-MAC, Baldwin-Wallace College). Pavlansky, whose team limited defending state champion North Canton Hoover to 31 points in a district semifinal game, says those seniors accounted for more than 50 percent of the scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. The Cards have five letterwinners, including two starters. Pavlansky expects his team "to be small and inexperienced, but we will compete. The quicker our young people adapt to varsity-level competition, the better we will be."
HOWLAND
Head coach: John Diehl, 10th year at Howland (107-86), 19th year overall (214-175).
2002-03 record: 18-5, 6-4 MAC, sectional champions.
Returning letterwinners: Sarah Krezeczowski (5-5, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Ashley Alexander (5-6, Sr., G); Kristen Cutlip (5-5, Jr., G); Carolyn Hanshaw (5-8, Jr., F); Annastacia Filippidis (5-4, Jr., G); Ana Cuengros (5-10, Jr., F).
Outlook: Among the seniors who graduated from last year's team are Darcy Quinlan (MAC MVP, Ohio University), Kristina Ferenac, Kristy Krezeczowski and Meredith Schneider. With no starters returning, Diehl expects lack of experience to be Howland's weakness but speed will be an asset.
NILES
Head coach: Jerry Postlethwait, 2nd year at Niles (10-12), 12th year overall (146-100).
2002-03 record: 10-12, 2-8 MAC.
Returning letterwinners: Stacia Ray (5-7 Sr., G); Shannon Floyd (5-4, Sr., G); Michelle Melillo (5-4, Sr., F); Jaclyn Sears (5-9, Jr., C); Stephanie Parish (5-10, Soph., F); Kelly Leonard (5-5, Soph., G/F); Jessica Pallante (5-5, Soph., F).
Newcomers: Tyler Fridley (5-5, Soph., G).
Outlook: The Red Dragons lost one key player to graduation (center Taura Mitchell, 7.6 points, 7 rebounds) and seven letterwinners returning, including four starters. Postlethwait says his team lacks size, but should improve on last year's record and be competitive among league rivals.
POLAND
Head coach: Jamie Dunn.
2002-03 record: 15-5, 8-2 MAC.
Returning letterwinners: Steffi Graf.
Outlook: The Bulldogs did not respond to repeated requests for information.
SALEM
Head coach: Steve Stewart, fourth year at Salem (45-24), 11th year overall (158-51).
2002-03 record: 20-4, 8-2 MAC, district champions.
Returning letterwinners: Alyson Cotter (6-0, Sr., G); Lauren Teal (6-0, Sr., P); Lizzie Jesko (5-6, Sr., G); Sarah Hamilton (5-11, Jr., P); Vanessa Kelly (5-7, Jr., G); Jessica Potts (5-3, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Renee Farina (5-9, Sr., G); Katherine McGarry (5-11, Jr., P); Jessica Hamilton (5-10, Jr., P); Ashlee Thorne (5-11, Sr., P); Merredith Miles, 5-7, Jr., G/P).
Outlook: The Quakers have six returning letterwinners including three starters. Among their strengths, Stewart says, are experience, size, depth and the ability to score inside and out. Stewart says they need to work on improving their speed and quickness.
STRUTHERS
Head coach: John Grandy, first year at Struthers, 9th year overall (79-102).
2002-03 record: 3-18, 0-10 MAC.
Returning letterwinners: Allison Ginneti (5-6, Sr., G, 8 points, 4 assists); Holly Hickenbottom (5-7, Sr., G); Cole Robenolt (5-5, Jr., F); Niki McGwire (5-6, Jr., G); Amanda Ardale (5-7, Soph., F).
Newcomers: Liz Valerio (5-9, Fr., F); Ashley Ruozzo (5-4, Jr., G); Shayla Kates (5-9, Fr., F).
Outlook: Grandy replaces Anne Wilson as head coach and has experience with the West Middlesex and Struthers boys teams. Grandy sees the Wildcats' strengths as including a good attitude and aggressiveness. Their weakness are lack of height, inexperience and youth.
-- Vindicator staff report