ITCL girls basketball preview

TIER ONE

CRESTVIEW (IV)

Coach: Rick Gates, sixth year

2013-14 record: 12-12

Projected starters: Tristan Huff, G, Sr.; Alexis Gates, G, So.; Emily Ferris, G, So.; Sydni Bowker, G, So.; Danielle Yanssens, F, So.; Dana Drinnon, F, Sr.

Other varsity players: Makenna Perorazio, G, So.; Trinity Boston, G, Fr.; MacKenzie Daub, F, Fr.; Serenity Schuler, G, So.; Skyler Fletcher, F, So.; Emma Smith, F, Fr.

Outlook: The Rebels are extremely young, with just two seniors and no juniors on the roster. The underclassmen will need to develop quickly and build a foundation for the next few years.

JACKSON-MILTON (IV)

Coach: Pat Keney, fifth year, 43-44

2013-14 record: 15-9

Projected starters: Izzy Scarl, F, 5-10, Sr.; Olivia Wolfe, F, 5-10, Jr.; Katie Rago, G, 5-4, So.; Ashley Totani, G, 5-5, So.; Kaitlyn Totani, G, 5-5, So.

Other varsity players: Julissa Tomaino, F, 5-7, So.; Michaelina Terranova, G, 5-6, Fr.; Haley Lengyel, G, 5-4, Fr.; Jordan Fitzpatrick, F, 5-6, Fr.; Emily Williams, G, 5-5, Fr.; Taylor Hayes, F, 5-7, Fr.

Outlook: The Bluejays lost three key players to graduation but return four starters from a team that gave Western Reserve a good test in last year’s sectional final.

LEETONIA (IV)

Coach: John Hritz, first year

2013-14 record: 8-14

Projected starters: Maddie Penfold, G, 5-2, Sr.; Casey Grace, G, 5-2, Jr.; Mekensy Gardner, G, 5-4, Jr.; Tori Norman, F, 5-7, So.; Kristy Eckman, F, 5-10, So.

Other varsity players: Aurora Smith, G, 5-5, Fr.; Sidney Mesmer, G, 5-4, Fr.; Sabrina Schneider, G, 5-6, Fr.; Kayla Jackson, F, 5-7, Fr.; Fantasha Smith, F, 5-8, Fr.

Outlook: Hritz likes his team’s quickness and speed but with just one senior and two juniors on the roster, experience is a concern.

LISBON (IV)

Coach: Jason Thompson, fifth year, 46-48

2013-14 record: 8-16

Projected starters: Tiffany Ketchum, G, 5-6, Sr.; Hannah Prasco, G, 5-8, Jr.; Karlee Pezzano, G, 5-7, So.; Alli Davis, G, 5-5, So.; Taylor Siefke, F, 5-9, Jr.

Other varsity players: Mackenzie Mason, F, 5-9, So.; Natalie Esterly, G, 5-7, Sr.; Kayla Dickson, F, 5-9, Jr.; Tara McDole, G, 5-8, Jr.; Alexa Bell, G, 5-7, So.; Kylee Culp, G, 5-5, So.; Eva Deryuter, G/F, 5-8, Fr.; Kimberly Simpach, G, 5-5, Fr.

Outlook: Thompson likes his team’s quickness and athleticism and will look to run whenever possible. Size and rebounding are concerns.

MINERAL RIDGE (III)

Coach: John Matisi, third year

2013-14 record: 7-16

Projected starters: Breanna Miner, G, 5-7, Sr.; Peyton Allen, G, 5-7, Sr.; Kayla Governor, G, 5-6, Sr.; Alyssa Harkins, F, 5-9, Sr.; Adrianna Reese, C, 5-9, Sr.

Other varsity players: Anna Bodo, F, 5-8, So.; Angelique Bartscher, G, 5-7, So.; Taryn Kolesar, G, 5-7, Fr.; Hannah Breedlove, C, 5-11, So.

Outlook: The Rams have good experience — they’re starting five seniors — and good team speed, but Matisi is worried about the team’s size and rebounding. Ridge will need to limit turnovers and get positive minutes from its bench.

SOUTH RANGE (III)

Coach: Tony Matisi, second year, 23-4

2013-14 record: 23-4

Projected starters: Ashley Sharp, G, 5-7, Sr.; Jordan Youngs, G, 5-7, Sr.; Morgan Czopur, G, 5-7, Jr.; Madison Durkin, F, 6-0, Fr.; Sara Durr, F, 6-3, Sr.

Other varsity players: Lynnie Ritter, F, 6-1, Jr.; Marketta Gabriel, G, 5-8, Jr.; Kelsey Phillips, G, 5-7, Sr.; Taylor Naples, G, 5-8, So.; Kate Yeagley, F, 5-9, So.; Morgan Smith, G, 5-7, So.; Samantha Patrone, G, 5-6, Fr.

Outlook: The consensus favorite to win the league title boasts an eight-player rotation with good size, athleticism and quickness. Matisi like his team’s basketball IQ and team chemistry. This could be a special year.

SPRINGFIELD (III)

Coach: Jim Schuler, fifth year, 44-43

2013-14 record: 21-3

Projected starters: Callie Ford, G, 5-7, Sr.; Mary Ritter, G, 5-7, Sr.; Emily Stacy, G, 5-5, Sr.; Joanie Foster, F, 5-0, Sr.

Other varsity players: Kasey Kohler, F, 5-10, Jr.; Valerie Kinsey, G, 5-6, Jr.; Nicole Bovo, G, 5-7, So.; Sara Chaszeyka, F, 5-9, So.; Josie Applegarth, F, 5-10, So.

Outlook: Graduation took its toll but the Tigers return four letterwinners, including Ford, who averaged 15 points per game last season.

UNITED (III)

Coach: Sam Mathias, fourth year, 56-21

2013-14 record: 10-14

Returning letterwinners: Jenna Plummer, Sr.; Morgan Smith, Jr.; MacKenzie Firth, Sr.; Kassie Chestnut, Jr.; Sydney Moats, Sr.; Shanna Miller, Jr.; Lauren Beech, Jr.

Other players: Jackie Bentfeld, Jr.; Haleigh Anderson, So.; Lindsey Donato, So.; Madie Smith, So.; Molly Briceland, Fr.; Molly Ellyson, Fr.; Cameron Pierson, Fr.; Hannah Mix, Fr.; Tori Hahlen, Fr.; Haley Brieck, Fr.; MacKenzie Clemens, Fr.; Christina Moats, Fr.

Outlook: The Eagles return a solid core, including a second team all-county honoree in Plummer and an honorable mention all-county player in Smith. Mathias likes what he’s seen from his younger players, who have helped make practices more competitive.

TIER TWO

COLUMBIANA (IV)

Coach: Ron Moschella, third year, 44-7

2013-14 record: 23-3

Projected starters: Baylie Mook, PG, 5-5, Sr.; Emily Witmer, F, 5-8, Sr.; Lauren Schlueter, F, 5-8, Sr.; Brynn Pennell, G, 5-4, Jr.; Elise Hammond, G, 5-4, Jr.

Other varsity players: Taylor Simms, G, 5-4, Jr.; Mariah Rovnak, G, 5-6, So.; Melissa Stockman, F, 5-9, Jr.; Abby Fleeson, F, 5-10, Sr.; Alexis Cross, G, 5-8, Fr.; Taylor Hall, G, 5-7, Fr.; Dee Dixon, G/F, 5-7, So.; Brittany Mook, F, 5-7, So.

Outlook: With Mook (19.1 points per game), Witmer (14.2) and Schlueter (8.9) returning, the Clippers have a good core of players that should compete for another league crown. Moschella likes the team’s quickness, ball-handling, passing, attitude and intensity but size is a concern, as is the team’s shooting and rebounding.

MCDONALD (IV)

Coach: Amy Dolsak, third year, 4-38

2013-14 record: 2-19

Projected starters: Sara Joseph, G, Jr.; Sam Homa, F, So.; Sam Johnson, F, Sr.; Brenna Rupe, G, Jr.; Alyssa Ritz, G, Sr.

Other varsity players: Tori Thorne, PG, So.; Abbie Matig, G, Fr.; Heidi Hoffman, G, Jr.; Sierra Welch, F, Jr.; Kaitlyn Johnson, F, Fr.

Outlook: The Blue Devils have more experience than last year’s team and Dolsak likes the team’s quickness and rebounding ability. She expects the team to finish in the top half of Tier Two.

WELLSVILLE (IV)

Coach: Ed Swogger, seventh year

2013-14 record: 14-9

Projected starters: Sabrina Thompson, G, 5-6, Sr.; Ashley Bennett, F, 5-7, Jr.; Destiny Crow, C, 5-10, Jr.

Other varsity players: Rasheeda Kalam, G, 5-4, Sr.; Abby Thrasher, G, 5-3, Sr.; Starlynn Morris, F, 5-3, Sr.; Autumn Harris, G, 5-3, Jr.; Sara Dalrymple, F, 5-7, So.

Outlook: The Tigers return three letterwinners, including Bennett, who averaged 10 points per game last season and nine rebounds. Swogger likes his team’s quickness but is concerned about its outside shooting.

WESTERN RESERVE (IV)

Coach: Steve Miller

2013-14 record: 20-7

Projected starters: Aleah Hughes, F, 5-9, Sr.; Rachel Maslach, F, 5-9, Sr.; Tory White, G, 5-5, Sr.; Sydney Miller, F, 5-9, Jr.; Lauren Falasca, G, 5-6, Jr.

Other varsity players: Heather Lude, F, 5-6, Jr.; Emily Henderson, G, 5-5, Sr.; Alexis Hughes, G, 5-7, Fr.

Outlook: The Blue Devils lost five seniors from last year’s team, which won a district title and shared the league crown. But there is plenty of talent remaining, including first team all-conference players Aleah Hughes and Maslach. Look for Western Reserve to again compete with Columbiana for the league title.

Note: East Palestine, Sebring, Southern and Lowellville did not respond to requests for information.