Center 7th-grade girls showing improvement

Despite still looking for their first win this season, coach Paul Butto notes that his 7th grade girls team at Boardman Center Middle School has vastly improved over the course of the season.

“We improve each and every week; each and every game,” said Butto. “This remains a huge learning year for everyone on the roster so teaching the game and fundamentals remain a top priority.”

“We want to prepare the girls for the next level of play. We aren’t very big, but can be called a very scrappy group of players that like to go to the ball,” Butto said.

Butto runs a three guard/two forward offense with point guard Renee Bubiel charged with running the offense. Brook Harsh and Alexis Cailor join Bubiel in the back court, with Jenna Fonner and Kanisha White the inside starters. Butto counts on valuable minutes from guards Haley Gianfrancesco, Darlena Lucas and Yasmine Hamdan off the bench with forwards Lauren Walker, Antonia Coppola and Doricia Robinson, and center Hanna Foley rounding out the roster.

After playing Howland this past week, they will welcome a battle at arch-rival Boardman Glenwood Middle School on Feb. 1.