HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL Previews

FEDERAL LEAGUE

Boardman Spartans (Div. I)

Coach: Jeff Hammerton (15-26, third season).

2012-13 record: 10-14.

Projected starters: Jenna Kuczek (5-5, G, Sr., 5 ppg), Anna Patoray (5-4, G, Sr., 2 ppg), Briana Fonderlin (5-4, G, Sr., 4 ppg), Megan Volosin (5-9, F, Sr., 8 ppg), Kelly Tomcsanyi (5-10, F, Sr., 11 ppg).

Outlook: With five seniors starting, the Spartans will have plenty of experience on this year’s team. One weakness will be size, but coach Jeff Hammerton believes his team’s quickness will be able to create scoring opportunities. Keeping bigger teams off the glass will be a challenge for Boardman all season long.

ALL-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

AMERICAN DIVISION

Austintown Fitch (Div. I)

Coach: Stacie Cepin (44-42, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 17-6 (All-American Conference, American Division).

Projected starters: Megan Sefcik (5-9, G, Sr.), Carlie Chepke (5-6, G, Sr.), Sarah Melfie (5-10, G, Sr.), Cassie Custer, (5-10, F, Sr.), Maura Bianco (5-10, F, Sr.).

Outlook: “We have a great deal of experience,” Cepin said, “and we are looking forward to competing this year.” The Falcons feature a starting line-up complete with seniors who have watched Canfield hoist conference crowns since they arrived. With Sefcik (19 points per game a year ago), perhaps the area’s best player and three other seasoned veterans alongside her, this might just be the Falcons’ year.

Canfield (Div. I)

Coach: Pat Pavlansky (302-119, 18th season).

2012-13 record: 26-2 (All-American Conference, American Division).

Projected starters: Rachel Tinkey (5-6, G, Jr.), Lynnae Whitehead (5-6, G, Jr.), Crissy Gelonese (5-3, G, Sr.), Jamie Giambattista (5-7, F, Sr.), Erin Risner (5-9, F, Jr.).

Outlook: The Cardinals lose four starters from a team that reached a Division II regional final, including all-state player Sabrina Mangapora. Pavlansky believes their youth will show early in the season and early season tests against the likes of Massillon Jackson and Uniontown Lake will force them to grow up quickly. Tinkey is one of the area’s best players.

Howland (Div. I)

Coach: John Diehl (291-144, 20th season).

2012-13 record: 11-12 (All-American Conference, American Division).

Projected starters: Gabby Cvengros (5-9, F, Sr.), McKenzie Miles (5-8, F, Sr.), Jordan Entler (5-3, G, Sr.), Lexi Ross (5-6, G, Jr.), Trisha Ginnis (5-6, G, Jr.).

Outlook: Diehl notes his team’s lack of height, but thinks it will make them a more aggressive, pressing outfit. He envisions a wide-open conference race.

Hubbard (Div. II)

Coach: Kacie Mosora (11-32, third season).

2012-13 record: 7-16 (All-American Conference, American Division).

Projected starters: Melissa Thomas (5-5, PG, Sr.), Emily Manion (5-7, G, Jr.)

Outlook: The youthful Eagles (only two seniors on the roster) will lean heavily on their two returning letter winners in Thomas and Manion. Mosora says the team is young and inexperienced. The biggest key to success will be how well and how quickly the young team comes together. The remainder of the starting lineup has yet to be determined.

Poland (Div. II)

Coach: Nick Blanch (53-38, fifth year).

2012-13 record: 16-9 (All-American Conference, American Division).

Projected starters: Korrina Sherman (5-3, G, Sr.), Kathryn Wilson (5-5, G, So.), Phoebe Bush (5-5, G, Sr.), Theodora Constantine (5-7, F, Jr.), Nkyah Edison (5-7, F, So.).

Outlook: Blanch must make up for Poland’s lack of size in its small lineup. With archrival Canfield losing a strong class to graduation, the Bulldogs have a chance to make a run at the league title if they can alleviate the height disadvantage they will face all year.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Champion (Div. III)

Coach: Jeff Thompson

2012-13 record: (All-American Conference, National Division).

Outlook: Champion’s lineup features three seniors and three juniors. The Flashes run through the District came to an end in the title game with United a season ago.

Girard (Div. III)

Coach: Andrew Saxton (28th season)

2012-13 record: 18-7 (All-American Conference, National Division).

Projected starters: Alasjia Dykes (5-6, G, Jr.), Ali Ciminero (5-4, G, So.), Bree Bishop (5-9, F, Sr.), Valerie Thomas (5-8, F, Sr.), Shymara Dykes (5-11, C, So.).

Outlook: Girard will battle all season long with Lakeview, Newton Falls and Champion for the league crown. Bishop is the team’s leading returning scorer. The Dykes sisters will be relied upon heavily as well. Saxton is looking for the team to gel quickly in lieu of experience.

LaBrae (Div. III)

Coach: Lisa Aldridge (sixth season).

2012-13 record: 13-9 (All-American Conference, National Division).

Projected starters: Somer McCoy (5-8, G-F, Sr.), Madison Kiser (5-5, F, Sr.), Lindsay Jaros (5-8, F, Sr.).

Outlook: The rest of the Vikings’ starters have yet to be determined, but their three starters all started last season. “I hope experience pays off,” Aldridge says.

Lakeview (Div. II)

Coach: Adam Lewis (51-40, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 19-6 (All-American Conference, National Division).

Projected starters: Abby Pavlik (5-9, PG, Jr.), Alli Pavlik (5-7, G, Sr.), Rachelle Calvin (5-6, G, Sr.), Calli Schmitt (5-11, F, Sr.), Marissa Naples (5-11, F, Sr.).

Outlook: The 2013 Division II district runners-up return a strong senior class, according to Lewis. “We are returning off two consecutive league titles and a trip to the district championship.” The Pavlik sisters will look to duplicate their success on the soccer field.

Liberty (Div. III)

Coach: Ron DeJulio (10-33, third season).

2012-13 record: 5-17 (All-American Conference, National Division).

Projected starters: Leah Leshnack (5-5, G, Sr.), Rachel Crum (5-7, F, Sr.), Mackenzie Stanley (5-10, F, Sr.), Marcy Dykes (5-8, F, So.), Sabrina Francis (5-4, G, Jr.).

Outlook: “We have a solid core of starters returning,” DeJulio says. The Leopards’ three seniors all start and an even mix of juniors and sophomores provide depth.

INTER TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE

TIER ONE

Crestview (Div. IV)

Coach: Rick Gates (265-201, fifth season with Crestview and 17th season overall).

2012-13 record: 18-7 (Inter Tri-County League Tier One).

Projected starters: Anna Hardenbrook (F, Sr.), Emilee Chlebus (F, Sr.), Tristan Huff (G, Jr.), Alexis Gates (G, Fr.), Emily Ferris (G, Fr.).

Outlook: The Rebels will need to replace four starters from last season and Hardenbrook is the lone returner. She will have to be a leader for Gates and Ferris.

East Palestine (Div. III)

Coach: Will Franklin (first season).

2012-13 record: 4-17 (Inter Tri-County League Tier One).

Projected starters: Marisa Gorby (5-6, G, Sr.), Kelsey McKim (5-9, F, Sr.), Courtney Weber (5-9, F, Sr.), Hanah Hall (5-2, G, So.), Hayley Hall (5-2, G, So.).

Outlook: “Strength will be our team speed and aggressive play this year,” Franklin says. “Our weakness will be our amount of experience and depth.”

Mineral Ridge (Div. III)

Coach: John Matisi (3-20, second season).

2012-13 record: 3-20 (Inter Tri-County League, Tier One).

Projected starters: Alyssa Harkins (G, Jr.), Peyton Allen (G, Jr.), Kayla Governor (G, Jr.), Adrianna Reese (F, Jr.), Lauren Cameron (F, Sr.).

Outlook: Matisi likes his team’s overall athleticism and speed, but must make up for a lack of size across the board.

Springfield (Div. III)

Coach: Jim Schuler (23-40, fourth year).

2012-13 record: 7-14 (Inter Tri-County League Tier One).

Projected starters: Baylee Felger (5-9, G, Sr.), Kennedy Richey (5-4, G, Sr.), Jill Tabaka (5-9, F, Sr.), Callie Ford (5-7, G, Jr.), Marry Ritter 5-7, G, Jr.).

Outlook: The Tigers return every player, but one off of last year’s team, Schuler says. “Game experience will be one of our biggest strengths.” Springfield is junior and senior-laden.

United (Div. III)

Coach: Sam Mathias (80-39, third season).

2012-13 record: 24-3 (14-0, Inter Tri-County League Tier One).

Projected starters: MacKenzie Gatchel, MacKenzie Firth, Jenna Plummer, Sydney Moats, Lauren Beech.

Outlook: The Golden Eagles lost six letter winners off of last year’s ITCL and district champion. Gatchel was second-team and first-team all county and conference, respectively. Athleticism will not be in short supply, but it must help alleviate the important losses to graduation. Mathias maintains that his expectations and those of the programs have not wavered.

TIER TWO

Leetonia (Div. IV)

Coach: Kelly Paxson (62-90, eighth season).

2012-13 record: 8-13 (Inter Tri-County League Tier Two).

Projected starters: Maddie Penfold (5-2, G, Jr.), Mara Newton (5-3, G, Sr.), Autumn Champney (5-4, G, Sr.), Emily Schneider (5-7, F, Sr.), Haley Scoville (5-6, F, Sr.)

Outlook: “We lost four senior starters so we don’t have a lot of varsity experience,” Paxson said, “but we do have a good core group of upperclassman who have been preparing for varsity time.” The Bears are going to rely on defensive stops to create offensive chances.

McDonald (Div. IV)

Coach: Amy Dolsak (2-19, second season).

2012-13 record: 2-19 (Inter Tri-County League Tier Two).

Projected starters: Jaydin Stellmar (5-9, F, Sr.), Samantha Johnson (5-7, F, Jr.), Sara Joseph (5-5, G, So.), Brenna Rupe (5-5, G, So.), Alyssa Ritz (5-5, G, Jr.).

Outlook: Dolsak thinks she has an athletic lineup with potential, but youth must serve. That said, she feels they can build around a disruptive defense and use the athleticism to their advantage.

Wellsville (Div. IV)

Coach: Ed Swogger (47-63, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 10-13 (Inter Tri-County League Tier Two).

Projected starters: Shartece Taylor (5-8, F, Sr.), Kalle Powell (5-7, F, Sr.), Brittany Clendenning (5-10, C, Sr.), Sabrina Thompson (5-6, G, Jr.).

Outlook: The Tigers have five returning letter winners and veterans in Taylor, Clandenning and Powell. “We will look to get after the other team on the defensive side of the ball and push in transition to take advantage of this quickness,” Swogger said. They will chase Columbiana and Lowellville for league honors.

Western Reserve (Div. IV)

Coach: Steve Miller (first season).

2012-13 record: 8-14 (7-7, Inter Tri-County League Tier Two).

Projected starters: Paige Ewing (5-6, G, Sr.), Lauren Falasca (5-5, G, So.), Tory White (5-6, G, Jr.), Rachel Maslach (5-9, F, Jr.), Aleah Hughes (5-9, F, Jr.).

Outlook: Miller immediately saw some potential upon taking over, but also saw glaring weaknesses. He wants better mental toughness, more disciplined defense and perimeter shooting.

INDEPENDENTS

Ursuline (Div. III)

Coach: Sean Durkin (231-94, 14th season).

2012-13 record: 8-15.

Projected starters: Tanaya Beacham (6-1, F, So.), Xavia King (5-10, F, Sr.), Macey Gunther (5-7, G, Sr.), Makayla Berry (5-5, G, Fr.), Simone Comer (5-8, G, Fr.).

Outlook: Durkin says the Irish will take on a difficult schedule that will test a young lineup.

Warren JFK (Div. IV)

Coach: John Condoleon (90-67, eighth season overall; first with girls).

Projected starters: Calli Kowach (5-11, F, Sr.), Nicole Rodomsky (5-5, G, Sr.), Antonella LaMonica (5-2, G, Fr.), Grace Flajuik (5-7, F, So.), Alena Menlo (5-9, F, Jr.).

Outlook: Condoleon’s job is to rebuild in every sense. The Eagles were forced to suspend the season after not having enough players to field a team a year ago.

Staff report