PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kate Bollinger, Hawken: The 5-foot-9 guard showed she could dominate a game last year as a junior when she averaged 15 points, 8.2 rebounds and shot 47% from the start. line. She is one of the best players in the CVC.
Belle Bozic, Riverside: She averaged 12 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 3.8 assists. She can hit all 3s (had 37 last year) and also drive and do a flat.
Melissa Brownlee, NDCL: One of four returning starters for the Lions, she averaged 10 points per game last year. If the Lions are to contend for the Crown Conference title, the senior guard will lead the way.
Maggie Furst, West Geauga: She might be the region’s best post player after averaging 10.9 points and 9.3 rebounds as a junior. When the ball hits her, she usually converts, shooting 56% last year.
Alexa Hocevar, West Geauga: A senior forward, Hocevar was second-team Division II All-Ohio last year averaging 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game . She has committed to play at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Helen Holley, Gilmour: The Lancers have a spectacular guard game with Nicci Finazzo and Katie Puletti. Having junior Holley 6-1 around the paint is going to make the Lancers tough to defend.
Kylie Maxwell, Mentor: As a 6-foot-2 winger, Maxwell is a tough match for teams. She transferred from Steubenville last year as a junior and immediately became a go-to player for the Cardinals. It will be even better this year.
Kara McFadden, Fairport: The 5-foot-3 guard averaged 18.6 points per game last year en route to being named a third-team All-Ohio in Division IV. She’s committed to playing in Waynesburg.
Izzy McKoon, Perry: The only returning starter from a year ago, McKoon is now a senior with plenty of college experience. She’s a bona fide leader.
Kailey Minch, North: As a junior, she was an honorable mention Division I All-Ohioan, averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game with 57 3-point shots. Her greatest asset – she makes everyone around her better.
Emily Noerr, Chardon: This is her fourth year starting for the Hilltoppers. She averaged 18.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game last year. Not only is she a top scorer and rebounder, but she’s also a tough and aggressive defender.
Ramsey Smith, Kenston: She averaged 9.7 points per game last year as the No. 2 scoring option behind Catara DeJarnette. She could become a prime-time player this season.
Lily Stukus, Chagrin Falls: Had a stellar freshman season averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 57 3-pointers. She will be counted on even more this year as the region’s first sophomore.
Brooklynn Vickers, Brush: Graduation hit the Arcs hard last year, including All-Ohioan and leading scorer Taylor Matthews. Vickers should take over as the Arcs’ main scoring threat and also as a ball handler.
Sam Volpe, Riverside: There are so many tough players on the Riverside team, and Volpe is one of them. She averaged 10.3 points and 9.3 rebounds last season as a junior. Look for a great senior year from her.
LAYERS
• Gilmour was a Division II runner-up last year and is in charge under first-year coach Tyler Hammond. Guards Nicci Finazzo and Katie Puletti are back for their third year in the starting lineup — and they’re just juniors — and now the Lancers have added 6-foot-1 forward Helen Holley, a transfer from Laurel. Gilmour got off to a 2-0 start and looks to be among the best teams in the region so far.
• Brush is coming off a 19-6 season but has been hit hard by graduation, including News-Herald Kaayla Chones award winner Taylor Johnson Matthews. The only returning starter is Brooklynn Vickers, who averaged 8.7 points per game last year. Coach Demarris Winters likes the depth of his team, but the experience will have to be earned. Keep an eye on the progress of the Tayja Mims (6-4) and Jakalyn Brown (6-2) subclasses.
• North started the year with a win over Mentor to give coach Paul Force his 250th career victory. In her 16th season in charge of the Rangers, Force is the oldest women’s basketball coach in the News-Herald region. This year’s edition of Rangers is less experienced, but any time you have a goalscorer and entertainer like Kailey Minch – last year’s Kaayla Chones Award runner-up – it’s a great start.
• Riverside is under new management this season, with Brian Fulton taking over the program. And what a busy team he inherited. Belle Bozic, Savanah Laurenty, Sofia Valvoda and Sam Volpe all return to the starting lineup. The Beavers are big favorites to win the Western Reserve Conference this year.
• West Geauga have big goals this season after going 19-6 (11-2 in CVC) last season. All five projected starters gained starting experience last year and played in the Division II district championship game. But depth is a question mark, so injuries and fouls should be avoided. Alexa Hocevar and Maggie Furst are some of the best 1-2 punches in the paint you’ll find.
• Mentor has a ton of depth, but not much experience after seven seniors graduated last spring. Cardinals coach James Hrusovsky is looking at a high pace to use that depth. Only one starter – Kylie Maxwell (Lake Erie commitment) – returns, but she is good. Mentor took a hit when Izzy Coode suffered a shoulder injury in the offseason and is out.
• It won’t be difficult to find the Chicone family this year. There are three Chicone girls – Mallory, Anna and Mae – on the Mentor team and their father – Mark – is the junior varsity coach.
• Berkshire finished 15-10 last year and fired six players with starting experience last year, although Maddy Triskett (8.2) is the top returning scorer. That depth will keep the Badgers in the hunt for the CVC Valley title.
• Kenston has a new coach, but he’s not new. Former Kenston coach Kevin Hinkle is back at the helm. He takes over a team that has six seniors and nine letter winners. Ramsey Smith, Samantha Bergansky, Hanna Busby and Brooke Pagan all return to the starting lineup. If the group quickly adopts a new style of coaching, watch out.
• Lake Catholic coach Michael Pecjak returns four starters from a 12-12 team, but with only eight players on the varsity roster, depth could be an issue.
• Hawken was 16-7 last year and 11-2 in the league but is under new leadership this year with Brittney Matuschek in charge. Six seniors in the lead. Depth and athleticism should keep the Hawks in contention for a league title with rival West Geauga.
• Chardon went 9-13 last year but played a very tough schedule. There are six returns this year, and this experience will allow the Hilltoppers to push the tempo. A season-ending injury to All-League guard Kayla Oriani stings, but Emily Noerr’s 1-2 punch (18.4 ppg) and Nicole Krakora (11.5 ppg) is very solid.
• Perry lacks experience (Izzy McKoon is the lone returning starter) and size (Sophia Makad and Rosalyn Tharp are the tallest players at 5-9), but you can bet coach Roy Infalvi Jr. will strengthen at new defense and will take advantage of the team’s speed to score in the turnover transition.
STATISTICAL ATTACK
Coaches are reminded to report their nightclub score information as soon as possible after games. Results and box score information can be emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for Coaches’ Player of the Week nominations is 8 p.m. Monday.
