TAC Girls basketball preview

BROOKFIELD
Head coach: Shawn Hammond, first season.
2002-03 record: 8-12, 6-10 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Rachel Pasquerilla (5-4, Jr., G); Katie Miller (5-8, Sr., G/F); Ashley Gramsky (5-9, Jr., C); Kaitlyn Nasci (5-7, Sr., G); Raquel Brenner (5-7, Jr., G/F); Kim Shaffer (6-3, Sr., C); Courtney Jones (5-7, Sr., G/F).
Newcomers: Sheila Drummond (5-7, Soph., G/F); Jacki Rust (5-8, Jr., G/F); Katie Gething (5-4, Jr., G).
Outlook: After a good offseason, the Warriors will look to finish in the upper half of the league. They have good senior leadership, but size will be a problem.
CHAMPION
Head coach: Jeff Thompson, fifth season (47-40).
2002-03 record: 13-9, 10-6 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Jessica Carpenter (5-6, Sr., G); Lauren Seafert (5-9, Sr., G); Jessica Wood (5-9, Jr., G/F); Heather Pegg (5-10, Jr., F).
Newcomers: Mallory Flamini (5-4, Sr., G); Stefanie Hofmeister (6-1, Jr., C); Nicole Okerlund (5-6, Jr., G); Jaclyn Carpenter (5-5, Soph., G); Hillary Beachy (5-8, Soph., F); Elizabeth Ghindia (6-0, Fr., C); Brittany Skeels (5-5, Fr., G).
Outlook: With four starters back, Champion will be an early favorite to compete for the league title. The Flashes have good size and experience, but ballhandling and team speed are a concern.
GIRARD
Head coach: Andrew Saxon, 17 years.
2002-03 record: 20-3, 14-2 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Angela Raggazine (5-5, Sr., G); Erin Walters (5-4, Sr., G); Justine Christopher (5-7, Sr., F); Cachet Murray (5-6, Jr., G); Lora Doran (5-8, Jr., F).
Newcomers: Jessica Bowser (5-5, Jr., G); Lauren Adams (5-5, Jr., G); Jasmine Carter (5-8, Jr., F); Taylor Birmingham (5-5, Jr., F).
Outlook: The Indians lost four key players to graduation and will need younger players to step in quickly if they want to stay in the league race. Good speed and athleticism, but size is a concern.
HUBBARD
Head coach: David Konczal, seventh season (87-43).
2002-03 record: 18-4, 15-1 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Lynle Cornell (5-8, Sr., G); Loni Sargent (5-9, Sr., F); Sheri Bullock (5-10, Jr., F); Danielle Nock (5-10, Jr., F); Maggie Bogdan (6-0, Fr., C); Danielle DeJulio (5-7, Jr., G); Amanda Taylor (5-8, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Callie Oyler (5-6, Soph., G); Corrie Gasser (5-5, Soph., G); Tressa Scahill (5-6, Fr., G); Christina Adams (5-7, Jr., G); Lisa Nemes (5-8, Sr., G).
Outlook: The Eagles lost four key seniors to graduation, including Katy Jo Mroski, who holds the school record for points and rebounds. Cornell and Sargent will need to lead a young, but talented Eagles team.
LABRAE
Head coach: John Wolford, second season.
2002-03 record: 2-18, 1-15 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Laura Bate (5-3, G, Jr.), Jill Mulanax (5-5, F, Jr.), Lindsay Blaszek (5-1, G, Jr.), Anita Simmons (5-6, F, Jr.), Kristin Shackleford (5-5, F, Jr.), Maddie D'Orio (5-8, C, So.), Stacy Howard (5-4, F, So.), Stephanie Davis (5-5, F, Jr.), Cassondra Wilson (5-7, C, Sr.).
Newcomers: Morgan Briscoe (5-4, G, So.), Jalisa Elkins (5-5, G, Fr.).
Outlook: Returning all five starters with a strong junior class that includes four starters. More favorable out-of-conference schedule should help LaBrae improve on record. Size will be a problem.
LAKEVIEW
Head coach: Natal Rosko, second season.
2002-03 record: 5-15, 5-11 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Christina Martin (5-11, Jr., C); Natalie Sudzina (5-4, Sr., G); Britni Morello (5-4, Jr., G); Lindsay Whetzel (5-8, Soph., F).
Newcomers: Jen Baker (5-3, Fr., G); Alynn Martin (5-6, Fr., G); Lauren McCumber (6-1, Soph., C/F).
Outlook: Good. Lakeview has good balance with quick guards and physical post players that should keep the Bulldogs in the league race. They lost two sophomores to ACL injuries -- guard Megan Ameen and post player Lauren Whetzel. With just one senior, experience could be an issue.
LIBERTY
Head coach: John Hritz, second season.
2002-03 record: 13-8, 10-6 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Cherie Austin (5-8, Sr., G/F); Lena Esmail (5-10, Sr., C); Meghan Harshbarger (5-6, Sr., G); Brittny Humphrey (5-7, Sr., G/F); Ashley Logan (5-5, Sr., G); Chenelle Mills (5-7, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Jessica Orr (5-7, Sr., F); Ashley White (5-6, Soph., G); Elaina Williams (5-7, Jr., F); Darnelle Clark (4-11, Jr., G); Katie Reyzis (5-7, Soph., F).
Outlook: The Leopards lost 1,000-point scorer Jessica White to graduation, but return five letterwinners. Good quickness, but size could be a problem. They will look to compete for league title.
NEWTON FALLS
Head coach: Ron Purnell, first season.
2002-03 record: 14-7, 10-6 TAC.
Returning letterwinners: Molly Lenarcic (5-8, Jr., G/F); Cortney Pelyak (5-3, Sr., G); Jackie Clonch (5-10, Jr., F); Lindsey Calland (5-5, Jr., G); Kim Drake (5-5, Sr., G).
Newcomers: DeEsta Sheldon (5-7, Jr., G/F); Kortni Collins (5-11, Soph., C).
Outlook: The Tigers have good speed and athleticism, but with just three returning letterwinners, experience will be an issue. They will need to jell quickly to compete in league race.
-- Vindicator staff report