Talented Quakers thinking big
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- Over the past three years, Salem High senior basketball players Alyson Cotter, Lauren Teal and Lizzie Jesko have learned their craft against the likes of Canfield's Erin Martin (Cleveland State), Howland's Darcy Quinlan (Ohio University) and Poland's Kristy Gaudiose (Youngstown State).
This year, it's the Quakers' turn to be the team everyone else in the Metro Athletic Conference measures themselves against.
The Quakers are coming off a 20-4 season in which they shared the MAC title with Poland (both were 8-2) and won the Division II district tournament at Fitch High.
Salem has three starters returning, a veteran (Jesko) coming back after missing her junior year following ACL surgery and two transfer students (Renee Farina, Katherine McGarry) who were letter winners at their previous schools.
"We have real high expectations," Cotter said. "We've been around now for four years to know the competition."
Surprise last winter
Despite losing their point guard with a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, the Quakers advanced to last year's regional tournament at Barberton where they lost to backyard rival West Branch.
No MAC team has the experience and depth Salem's bench contains.
"We have expectations of winning the league, winning the district and advancing down the tournament trail," fourth-year Salem coach Steve Stewart admits. "We have a lot of experience -- our top eight people on the floor are letter winners.
"But a lot of things has to happen between now and then -- we need to stay healthy," Stewart said. "And I believe that you have to be a little bit lucky."
At point guard, Jesko, who set the Salem record for assists as a sophomore, replaces Abby Markovich, who (along with Tiffanie Heestand) graduated.
"We had to convert Marko into a point guard and she struggled with it for six or seven games, then she did well," said Stewart who appreciates Jesko's quickness. "There's nothing like a point guard who can [quickly] get the ball to your people, especially when you have the scorers we have."
Plenty of depth
Options one and two are Cotter, a 6-foot guard, and Teal, a 6-0 post player. Farina, a 5-9 senior, also will play guard while junior Sarah Hamilton, a 5-11 returning starter, and McGarry, a 5-11 junior, will play the post.
Salem also has two junior guards (Vanessa Kelly and Jessica Potts) who earned letters.
"We're no longer the underdog -- everyone is out to get us," Teal said. "It will make a team's season to beat us.
"We know that for every game we have to go out and be strong," Teal said. "I think that's a little helpful because we have confidence. We know we are a stronger team, a talented, more experienced team."
Cotter said she feels comfortable when Jesko is carrying the ball.
"We've been best friends since I moved to Salem," Cotter said. "By the end of last year, Abby had established herself real well, but it's nice to have [Lizzie] back because it brings more speed to our style, and it's good to have another senior leader out there."
Cotter said Farina, who was one of the first players Boardman coach Ron Moschella would send in from his bench, and McGarry, who made some starts for Poland coach Jamie Dunn, have blended in well with their new Salem teammates.
"We all get along real well," Cotter said. "Over the years, our team has had great chemistry. Sometimes, we're crazy. There have been no transition problems for them. It's a good fit."
Saturday, the Quakers open the season with a rematch against West Branch.
"We have a lot of work to do, but we're starting from a good spot," Stewart said.
williams@vindy.com