Girls basketball: AAC American Division at a glance

AUSTINTOWN FITCH

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 11-10.

Head coach: Stacie Cepin, fourth season, 27-36.

Projected starters: Brenda Thompson, senior, guard, 5-6; Megan Sefcik, junior, guard, 5-9, 15.6 points per game; Cassie Custer, junior, guard, 5-10; Sarah Melfe, junior, forward, 5-10; Brianna Edwards, senior, forward, 5-11.

Other varsity players: Aaliyah Sadler, sophomore, guard, 5-8; Carlie Chepke, junior, guard, 5-6; Serina Colon, senior, guard, 5-5; Alexandria Coe, junior, guard, 5-4; Maura Bianco, junior, forward, 5-9; Paige McClendon, junior, forward, 5-11.

Team’s outlook: Cepin says her goal is to utilize her bench more in an effort to have the Falcons play an uptempo pace.

League prediction: Cepin thinks Canfield is the team to beat in the conference. She sees Struthers, Poland and Howland as contenders.

CANFIELD

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 17-8.

Head coach: Pat Pavlansky, 18th season, 276-117 (312-166 overall).

Projected starters: Abby Baker, senior, guard, 5-8, 8 points; Paige Baker, senior, guard, 5-3, 2.5; Rachel Tinkey, sophomore, guard, 5-6, 7.5; Kayla Barko, senior, forward, 5-11, 3.5; Sabrina Mangapora, senior, forward, 6-1, 20.2.

Other varsity players: Allison Pavlansky, senior, guard, 5-11, 4.5; Crissy Gelonese, junior, guard, 5-3; Jamie Giambattista, junior, guard, 5-6; Lynnae Whitehead, junior, guard, 5-5; Erin Risner, sophomore, forward, 5-9.

Team’s outlook: Pavlansky said the experienced Cardinals return six players from last year’s team that reached the Division II regional semifinals.

League prediction: Pavlansky sees Struthers, Fitch, Poland and Howland as the teams to beat for a league crown.

HOWLAND

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 22-2.

Head coach: John Diehl, 19th season, 280-133.

Projected starters: Gabby Cvengros, junior, post, 5-11; Taylor Ginnis, senior, forward, 2.3 points; Trisha Ginnis, sophomore, point guard; Jordan Entler, junior, guard; Lexi Ross, sophomore, guard.

Other varsity players: McKenzie Miles, junior, post, 5-8; Haley Chill, senior, guard; Victoria Rappach, frashman, guard; Jada Pagan, sophomore, guard; Olivia Donadio, sophomore, forward.

Team’s outlook: Unlike recent seasons, the Tigers lack experience and size. After four straight league titles, the Tigers are rebuilding.

League prediction: Diehl expects Canfield, Fitch and Struthers to finish at the top of the standings.

HUBBARD

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 3-18.

Head coach: Kacie Mosora, second season, 3-18.

Projected starters: Julia Clemente, senior, point guard, 5-6, 7 points; Emily Manion, sophomore, guard, 5-7, 5.4; Alena Burzynski, sophomore, guard, 5-5, 5; Mindy Gigax, senior, post, 5-7, 5; Amanda Irwon, senior, post, 5-7, 5.

Other varsity players: Justine Goldner, senior, post, 5-9, 7.5; Melissa Thomas, junior, point guard, 5-4.

Team’s outlook: Mosora says the Eagles’ strengths are experience from seven letterwinners and quickness on defense. Her concerns include breaking in a new point guard and staying out of foul trouble.

NILES

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 3-17, 2-6.

Head coach: Erica Wilson, second season, 3-17.

Projected starters: Megan Morris, senior, guard, 5-1; Katrina Harris, senor, forward, 5-8; Ashley Cline, sophomore, forward, 5-7; Sara Marz, freshman, guard, 5-9; Makayla Butler, freshman, guard, 5-4.

Other varsity players: Tricia Marz, senior, forward, 5-8; Angel Gordon, semior, guard, 5-1, Sana Hughes, junior, forward, 5-6; Kirsten Cvengros, sophomore, forward, 5-8; Braley Hale, sophomore, guard, 5-8.

Team’s outlook: Wilson is counting on her three experienced starters to lead by example.

POLAND

Conference: All-American Conference American Division

2011-12 record: 13-9.

Head coach: Nick Blanch.

Projected starters: Rachael Robertson, 5.2 points; Kasie Serich, 2; Liz Suess, 3; Aleah Hughes, 3.

Other varsity players: Marissa Trevis, Phoebe Bush, Korinna Sherman, Emily Shields, Madison Walkama, Theodora Constantine, Libby Rubesa, Claire testa, Kathryn Wilson.

Team’s outlook: Blanch says his team is inexperienced and has big shoes to fill after losing five to graduation.

League prediction: Blanch says Canfield and Struthers are the top teams in the league.

Staff report