Blue seventh-grade girls stressing teamwork

After 12 seasons as the Fitch High J.V. coach, John Williams switched roles this year to become the coach of the Austintown Middle seventh-grade girls blue squad.

With a 3-7 overall mark after the first 10 games, Williams is hoping to finish the season on a positive note as his team eyes the All-American Conference Post-Season Tournament, which will be held on Feb. 11.

“This is the first time that most of the girls are playing on an organized team. Stressing teamwork and working on fundamentals while preparing them for the next level of play as first time teammates is our main focus right now.

“We’re an excellent defensive team and have proven that by playing close games against Boardman, Poland and Canfield; three of the better teams on our schedule,” Williams said.

Running a three guard/two forward offense, the team’s starters include point guard Tabreasia Gowdy and guards Jessica Halas and Ebony Davis, along with forwards Alexis Zimmerman and Bekah Pipe.

Coming off the bench, Williams looks for output from Sydney Zebrasky, Ally Theis, Katie Oswald, Tara Swecker and Gabby McCaffrey.

“We’ve played some close games this year that could have gone either way. Now, we’d like to be able to finish those games as we prepare for tournament play,” Williams added.