Geauga County Maple Leaf Basketball Preview 2018-19

Page 2

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Berkshire Badgers

New Coach, New Look for Berkshire Badgers

By Rich Kelly After an uncharacteristic 2-19 season last year, a new coach in Ryan Dickard, and several new players who have grown physically and mentally the past couple seasons, there’s a new outlook this season for Berkshire boys basketball.

“I know that Berkshire has a solid tradition in boys basketball,” Dickard said. “We’ve got a long way to go to get where I think we have the talent to reach for, but this is only our second scrimmage. The kids are really

Czekaj

Kastor

Kuchling 6 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

2018-19 Schedule

11/29 Berkshire Tip-Off 11/30 Berkshire Tip-Off 12/4 Grand Valley 12/11 @Independence 12/15 @Madison 12/18 Richmond Hts. 12/21 @Wickliffe 12/29 Cardinal 1/2 Labrae 1/4 @Kirtland 1/8 @Fairport 1/11 Independence 1/12 Garfield 1/15 @Cuyahoga Hts. 1/18 @Richmond Hts. 1/22 Wickliffe 1/25 @Cardinal 1/29 Kirtland 2/1 Fairport 2/5 @Crestwood 2/9 @Newbury 2/15 West Geauga

putting in the work, though, and they’re closing the gap on where I want to take them.

Hard work will be the key, and junior Jake Sinkenbring quickly saw a difference in what is happening with the team once practices began.

“Coach is really working us hard every day,” he said. “We worked hard last year, too, but now it seems like much of what we did last year, when we were 2-19, has finally sunk in for us.

We’re working a new offense that is working well as we settle

Sinkenbring

in with it, and I think we will do fairly well this year.”

Offensively, Dickard plans to run a four-out-one-in system, relying on the pick and roll much of the time.

“One of the key parts of our offense is getting the guards used to the movement,” he said. “They have to be comfortable with it as they keep things moving. With a bit more size than last year, too, we need to be more physical.”

One aspect of their offense that has improved dramatically since last season is the fast break, mainly because the Badgers now are developing some size presence inside for rebounding. Sophomore Levi Sell, standing nearly 6-4 and still growing, is a good sign for the future as well.

“Things are going really well so far for us as a team and for me,” Sell said.

Leading several fast breaks when teammates snared rebounds or loose balls, Sell was often successful finishing fast breaks with a nice touch on layups.

“I realize that I’m going to be one of the big men inside for this team, and I need to keep working hard on offense and defense and learning to adjust as the game goes by,” he said. “I feel I’m very capable of getting it done. I know I can do it, so now I just need to really push myself.”

Senior Justin Barabar is a talented guard who has flashed great skill in practice.

Ky Bowman will join him in the back-court.

“He’s a tireless working who goes 100 percent in all things he does,” Dickard said. “Great character, role model, and represents good things about Berkshire.”

Jake Brown has no experience but the expectations are high for the sophomore.

Dickard thinks senior Bobby Czekaj has a bulldog mentality.

He was in the rotation last season for the Badgers.

“He’s a gritty, hard-nosed player who leads by example,” the coach said.

Sam Hanson is a strong, smart player who takes well to coaching.

Senior Jakob Kastor fills a lot of roles for the team.

Of Forrest Kuchling, the coach said: “(He) exemplifies the model student-athlete. Works hard on his studies and game in order to be the best he can be.

Coming off an immensely successful golf season and we hope that success carries over from the links to the court.”

Sam Roach and Zach Yokules round out the varsity roster.

Roach will have a pivotal role as a balanced offensive player.

Yokules has the confidence of a grizzled veteran.

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 3

Berkshire Badgers

New Faces the Norm for the Young Badgers Athletic junior class can make the difference With a few seniors and an athletic junior class, the Berkshire Badgers think they have the talent to duplicate last year’s 15-9 record.

But there will be challenges for the program as it introduces a new head coach for the first time in 12 seasons.

In steps James Bosley, a former assistant with Chalker, Bristol and Garrettsville-Garfield. He understands small programs.

With the success of this school’s volleyball and soccer teams, there was a slow start to the preseason.

“It’s been a waiting game for them to show up,” said Bosley, his team shooting in the gym.

Senior Madison Chapman returns as the leader with the most experience. Chapman can score, rebound and find open teammates.

Shae DeLong missed her junior season with an injury, but returns for her senior season full of confidence as a guard/forward.

Lexi Boyk is the top returning scorer, ready to take the next step in her basketball career after leading the Badgers on the soccer field.

Coach Bosley’s fast-paced

offensive style and free-flowing offense will play to Boyk’s strengths.

“We are here to have a good time, have a few laughs,” Boyk said. “We have to be serious, but also have fun. We want (my teammates) to come every single day and treat each other like we’re their sisters.”

Grace Lillibridge is another junior stepping into a leadership role this season.

The Badgers want to identify this year as a defensive team, and Lillibridge is one of those hardnosed defenders that will help make it happen. There will be less zone and more man-to-man.

“We are coming in pretty young, so I’m just trying to be a leader on the court, trying to get these girls motivated,” Lillibridge said. “They need to realize the pace is different for a lot of them.”

Lillibridge will also try to connect from the outside as one of the team’s shooting guards.

The Badgers have traditionally been strong in the post, so Alyssa Schafer, along with Kayla Dingman, will try to continue their junior years.

“I’ve always been tall, so it’s always been my default position,” Schafer said. “I really like

Boyk

Madison Chapman

2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

to box out. Contact in the post is fun for me.”

Schafer wants to extend the defense some with a mid-range jumpshot.

“I can tell a difference from last year in that I feel more responsibility,” Schafer said. “And I’m excited for that.”

Berkshire will look to a lot of younger players to step into important roles, and a 10-player rotation could be one of the team’s strengths.

Sophomores Mollee Chapman, Courtney Czekaj and Elsa Morton will have have chanc-

Mollee Chapman 11/24 11/29 12/1 12/5 12/8 12/11 12/15 12/19 12/22 12/27 12/28 1/5 1/9 1/14 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/13

Schafer

@Chalker 2:30 p.m.

Newbury 7 p.m.

Bristol 2:30 p.m.

Kirtland 7 p.m.

Cuyahoga Hts. 2:30 p.m. @Grand Valley 7:30 p.m.

@Fairport 2:30 p.m.

Wickliffe 7 p.m.

Crestwood 2:30 p.m. @Cardinal Christmas TBA @Cardinal Christmas TBA Richmond Hts. 2:30 p.m. @Independence 7 p.m. @Badger 7 p.m. @Kirtland 2:30 p.m. @Cuyahoga Hts. 7 p.m.

Fairport 2:30 p.m. @Wickliffe 7 p.m. @Richmond Hts. 2:30 p.m.

Independence 7 p.m.

Cardinal 6:30 p.m.

West Geauga 7 p.m.

es to shine, especially off the bench early.

Freshmen Lydia Kastor and Georgia Lillibridge both have very bright futures.

“One of the things I’ve noticed is that a lot of these girls are really well coached,” Bosley said. “They have the skills that they need.”

The CVC Valley Division is a tough conference, Bosley knows. But with the right breaks, Berkshire could show this season why fans have felt the future of this program is bright.

Page 4

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Cardinal Huskies

Cardinal Will Be Challenged, But Talented

By Jamie Ward Cardinal will rebuild after graduating four starters on a 1212 team last season.

How those new varsity players adjust will be the key to the Huskies’ 2018-19 season.

Head coach Jon Cummins has the experience to aim the team in the right direction. He starts his eighth season as head coach, his 15th with the program.

Matt Carney and Rob Bruncak, both seniors, will be the driving force for Cardinal on offense.

Bruncak led the team last

Bruncak

Carney

Horner

2018-19 Schedule

11/30 Hawken 7 p.m.

12/4 @Chalker 7 p.m.

12/11 @Cuyahoga Hts. 7 p.m.

12/14 Fairport 7 p.m.

12/18 @Kirtland 7 p.m.

12/21 Richmond Hts. 7 p.m.

12/29 @Berkshire 7:30 p.m.

1/2 Newbury 7:30 p.m.

1/4 Wickliffe 7 p.m.

1/8 @Independence 7 p.m.

1/11 Cuyahoga Hts. 7 p.m.

1/15 @Fairport 7 p.m.

1/18 Kirtland 1/22 @Richmond Hts. 7 p.m.

1/25 Berkshire 7 p.m.

1/29 @Wickliffe 7 p.m.

2/1 Independence 7 p.m.

2/5 @Garfield 7 p.m.

2/12 @Pymatuning Valley 7 p.m.

2/15 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

2/19 Lakeside 7:30 p.m.

season with 13 points a night, despite being the team’s sixth man. He can stretch the floor with his shot from both mid and long range.

He said being a starter comes with more pressure, and he wants to work on defense and rebounding.

“The younger kids are looking up to us now,” he said. “That didn’t happen before.”

“He can get buckets and score for us,” Cummins said.

“We look for him to be a main focal point of our scoring.”

Carney is a third-year starter whose leadership will be key.

Miller

“The team will look to him a lot because he’s been through it,” Cummins said. “He’s battle-tested.”

“I feel confident, and it’s fun out there,” Carney said. “Guys are getting a feel for it, and it’s fun to watch them get the hang of things.”

Casey Horner takes over at point guard, and looked solid in the preseason.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a while,” Horner said. “There are some big shoes to feel. Sometimes we get mad on the floor, but we just have to keep our heads and we’ll be good.”

Austin Miller is a post player coming off an injury. The 6-foot-3inch senior works hard and is one of the few big bodies on the team.

“That’s the only way I know how to play,” Miller said of his physicality down low. “That’s the way I’ve always played, and I like to play that way. I like to do the dirty work.”

Expect “a lot of hustle out of him, and a lot of energy,” said Cummins.

Miller said he was still working on getting into basketball shape early on.

Junior Robbie Granny is a 6-3 center who could be a big factor as a starter or off the bench.

The Herdos twin brothers will come off the bench and pro-

vide much-needed depth. Dan is 6-3, Jon is 6-0, and both can shoot the 3.

“Both are good workers, and both were here the whole summer. They came to everything,” Cummins said. “They’ve been here for four years. Great, great kids.”

Brice Hogue battled an early injury and was awaiting test results to see how much time he would miss. Cummins expects him to contribute this season from the guard position.

Tyson Sinclair is a strong athlete who took last season off.

Coaches think he is a lock-down defender when on the floor, as he catches up with the offense.

“Everything is new to him again,” Cummins said.

Mike Rogers, Kevin Hammitt and Justin Byler round out the varsity roster.

The Huskies played well in two early scrimmages against Jefferson and Chardon. The team frustrated the much larger Hilltoppers, which is a good sign.

Cummins said defense would be a focus and also a key to the season.

With a strong year, Bruncak could possibly break all of Cardinal’s point records.

The Cardinal varsity roster includes no sophomores or freshmen.

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 5

Cardinal Huskies

Special Season Expected for Six Seniors Best players return to a 12-win team For small programs like Cardinal, success tends to come in cycles.

And for a team that was 12-12 a year ago with a strong junior class, the Huskies cycle under head coach Luke Kruse is at a high.

Those 12 wins were the most at Cardinal since 2003.

The six returning seniors were all letter-winners a year ago, and five of them were tops on the team in minutes played.

“It’s nice to have girls who have played and know the expectations,” said Kruse, starting his sixth season. “They can pick up where they left off and grow and improve each day.”

Camille Cummins averaged a double-double last season (11 ppg, 13 rpg) and was a firstteam CVC Valley player.

She set the single-season rebounding record last year, and is poised for another strong season.

“I’ve always thought of basketball as my sport,” said Cummins, who also led the volleyball team. “It’s a lot of pressure being a senior and having such

high expectations. So I think this year more than any other year, I need to be a leader.”

“She has made a name for herself as one of the best players in Geauga County,” Kruse said. “She’s just going to do better and better this year.”

Senior Ashley Gubanyar is a talented shooter and ball-handler at the point guard position. She’s played varsity now for four years.

“I wish she would shoot the ball more because she always wants to set her teammates up,” Kruse said.

“This is our last season, so we really want to make it count,” Gubanyar said. “It’s one year to go out with a bang.

I think we have more potential this year with the experience and chemistry.”

Brittni Lawrence (6 feet tall) is a strong post player, and was especially so during the second half of last season.

“We all work together really well, and we’re not afraid to yell at each other and pick each other up,” Lawrence said.

Adriana Naples doesn’t need to score points to have an impact on a game, which makes her the kind of player that coaches love, Kruse said.

Cummins

Gubanyar

2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

“She takes pride in her assignment,” the coach said.

“I put my heart on the team and on the court,” Naples said.

Annamarie Pollack projects as the fifth starting senior.

Sydney Hahner rounds out the senior class and will be in the rotation.

Freshman Haley Doman had an instant impact during her volleyball season, and projects as one of the first Huskies off the bench because of her skill.

Abby Geesling and Taylor Soltis (transfer from Garfield)

Naples 11/23 11/28 12/1 12/5 12/10 12/13 12/15 12/19 12/22 12/27 12/28 1/9 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/13 2/16

Pollack

Windham 6 p.m.

Lakeside 7 p.m. @Grand Valley 7 p.m. @Wickliffe 7 p.m.

Bristol 7 p.m. @Py Valley 7 p.m.

@Kirtland 2:30 p.m.

Richmond Hts. 7 p.m.

@Garfield 2:30 p.m.

Cardinal Christmas 7:30 p.m.

Cardinal Christmas 7:30 p.m. @Cuyahoga hts. 7 p.m. @Newbury 7 p.m.

Wickliffe 2:30 p.m. @Independence 7 p.m.

Kirtland 7 p.m. @Richmond Hts. 7 p.m. @Fairport 2:30 p.m.

Cuyahoga Hts. 7 p.m. @Berkshire 6:30 p.m.

Fairport 7 p.m.

Independence 2:30 p.m.

will also work hard to find playing time this season.

Fifteen girls are on the team, so the Huskies hope to play a junior varsity schedule.

Despite last season’s success, Cardinal was disappointed to lose both games against rival Berkshire and has circled both of this year’s games on their schedule.

Kruse wants his team to protect the ball against some tough opponents who apply a lot of pressure.

A focused team for four months could be a special one.

Page 6

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Chagrin Falls Tigers

Unfinished Business for Tigers in Pursuit of CVC Eight seniors return after eight graduated

By Brian Lavrich The Chagrin Falls boys basketball team may feel like it has some unfinished business in the Chagrin Valley Conference this year.

Last year the Tigers finished second to rival West Geauga as Chagrin Falls suffered two last-second losses to the Wolverines. Overall, Chagrin Falls went 15-9 and advanced to a Division II sectional final before losing to Warrensville Heights, 51-45.

Amendola

Vandertill

Streetsboro 7 p.m.

Twinsburg 7 p.m.

Beachwood 7 p.m. @Geneva 7:30 p.m.

Harvey 7:30 p.m. @West Geauga 7 p.m.

Hawken 7 p.m. @Chardon 6:30 p.m.

Orange 7 p.m. @Perry 7:30 p.m.

Geneva 7:30 p.m.

West Geauga 7 p.m. @Gilmour 7 p.m. @Hawken 7 p.m. @Beachwood 7 p.m. @Orange 7 p.m.

Perry 7:30 p.m. @NDCL 7 p.m. @Harvey 6 p.m. @Aurora 7:30 p.m.

Kirtland 7 p.m.

Crestwood 7 p.m.

Weiss

2018-19 Schedule

11/30 12/4 12/7 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/21 12/28 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/18 1/19 1/22 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/9 2/16 2/19 2/22

Chagrin Falls coach Dave Bargar is entering his 14th season as head coach and 29th season overall. He said the Tigers are aiming for the CVC title.

“That’s always the goal,” Bargar said. “We’re so inexperienced. You can’t rush that process. I think we have the makings of a good team once they understand what they’re doing.

“Guys need to step forward.

We need leadership. We lost a lot of leadership and team players.”

The Tigers lost eight se-

Yonker

niors, four who started, from last year’s team, but return eight seniors for this year’s squad.

One of those returning seniors is leading scorer Jenson Yonker. Last season he averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while earning Honorable Mention All-CVC accolades.

Yonker talked about his mindset on offense.

“You don’t want to be selfish, but you have to be aggressive,” he said. “I think this team is more athletic, but we have to get our talking down. Once we get better at communicating, we’ll be better defensively and as a team as a whole.”

Competing for time at point guard are senior Jack Amendola and junior Cam Owen. Amendola started several games last year, while Owen played junior varsity.

“Coach definitely harps on the little things for defense,” Amendola said, “so we should be a pretty tough team to score on.”

Bargar said there is also competition at shooting guard between senior Mike Vandertill and sophomore Xavier Perez.

Vandertill came off the bench last year for the Tigers. He’s recovering from a preseason soccer injury that caused him to miss the entire season this

past fall.

Vandertill should be good to go at the start of the season, however. Perez played JV last season.

“Last year I felt more timid as a junior,” Vandertill said. “I want to be more aggressive as a leader and a player.”

At small forward, Josh Norton, a sophomore, will start.

Norton, a Chagrin Falls native, went to St. Edward last season, but transferred back to Chagrin Falls for this season.

In the post, the Tigers will turn to senior Cole Weiss.

“If you control the glass, you control possession,” Weiss said. “We have to rebound at both ends. We’re not that big, but we have big guards who can rebound. That’s a big part of my game.”

Chagrin Falls has plenty of depth as well. Bargar’s main contributors off the bench include senior forward Peyton Lewis, senior forward Matt Suzelis, senior guard Jonathan Edwards and senior post Sean Cusack.

Rounding out the roster are Evan Bargar, Burke Thompson, Kyle Zaluski and Jack McMullen.

The Tigers open the season Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at home against Streetsboro.

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Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 7

Chagrin Falls Tigers

Tigers Expect Defense and Speed to Be Strengths Backcourt is a strength for Tigers this season Building on a strong second half of last season, the Chagrin Falls girls basketball team will look to not only contend in the Chagrin Valley Conference, but make a deep playoff run.

The Tigers started out 1-6 last year, then went 11-7 over the rest of the season as they marched to a Division II district semifinal, which is where their season ended in a 55-26 loss to Laurel. The Tigers finished 12-13 overall and 8-6 in the CVC. This year’s Tigers will hang their hat on defense, which is always a staple under coach Brittany Anderson, while they aim for a CVC title. Perry is the defending CVC champ.

“We have a lot of our core group coming back from last year,” Anderson said. “I think we’d definitely like to go to the district (tournament).

We’ve scheduled some good scrimmages, and the CVC is good to prepare us for the tournament. We want to be competitive in the CVC. We’ve been stuck at 8-6 (the past two years). We have to rise above as a team.”

One of the Tigers’ strengths should be their backcourt, where both Carolyn Bencko and Bella Dalessandro are returning three-year starters.

The two have grown together on the court and are ready to excel during their senior seasons.

“Absolutely, when they were freshmen they took their lumps,” Anderson said. “But it’s worth it, giving them real time experience.”

Dalessandro said the Tigers may run more this year than in years past.

“I feel we’ll be able to push the ball a lot more on offense,” Dalessandro said. “We want to get the ball up the court quicker. We’re not the tallest team, but we’re very aggressive defensively, which will help.”

On the wing, Anderson will turn to sophomores Lily Karyo and Julia Santamaria. Karyo started about half the games last season, while Santamaria is a new player, having moved to Chagrin Falls in the spring from Washington.

“This year, I think we have a lot more speed,” Karyo said.

“We’ll be able to push the ball.

We were young last year. This

Dalessandro

Houston

Karyo

2018-19 Schedule

By Brian Lavrich

year, we’ll be very aggressive.”

Junior Katie Kwasny (5foot-11) will be the main player in the post. She was a key reserve last season. She will be backed up by senior Lydia Thombs (5-10).

“I think we’ll have good defense, which will be our strength this year,” Thombs said. “But we also have a lot of speed. Speed really helps.

We can really push it up the court and get a lot of easy baskets.”

11/24 11/28 12/1 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/22 12/27 12/29 1/3 1/5 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9

Thombs Lake Catholic 12:30 pm.

Beaumont 7 p.m.

Cuyahoga Hts. 2:30 p.m. @Orange 7 p.m. @Harvey 1 p.m.

Geneva 7 p.m.

Beachwood 2:30 p.m. @Woodridge 2:30 p.m. @Streetsboro 6:30 p.m. @NDCL 2:30 p.m. @Kirtland 7 p.m.

Perry 2:30 p.m. @Hawken 7 p.m.

West Geauga 2:30 p.m.

Wickliffe 7 p.m.

Orange 2:30 p.m.

Harvey 7 p.m. @Beachwood 11:30 a.m. @Geneva 7 p.m. @Perry 2:30 p.m.

Hawken 7 p.m. @West Geauga 2:30 p.m.

Senior Avery Houston will be the main shooting guard off the bench. She started some games last season.

“Last year our goal was to hold teams to 40 and 20 at the half,” Houston said. “I think we can still do that.”

Junior Molly Barr is the best ball handler the Tigers have in reserve.

Also providing depth for the Tigers are juniors Kaitlin Burgess, Belle DiFranco and Alexis Christie.

Page 8

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Chardon Hilltoppers

Chardon Athletes Will Focus on Team Game

By Jamie Ward The Hilltoppers will transition to a new set of core players as just one starter returns to a team that won 14 games last year.

That returning senior, Ben Sulka, missed a majority of his team’s games last year with an injury.

“Ben’s a stud, and has a full offseason under his belt,” said head coach Chad Murawski, starting his third season. “He’s one of the best players in the

Corsillo

Hougan

@West Geauga 7 p.m.

Hawken 7:30 p.m.

Brush 7:30 p.m.

South 7:30 p.m. @Kenston 7:30 p.m.

Shaw 7:30 p.m.

North 7:30 p.m.

Chagrin Falls 6:30 p.m. @Kirtland 7:30 p.m. @Riverside 7:30 p.m. @Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

Madison 7:30 p.m.

JFK 6:30 p.m. @South 7:30 p.m. @Brush 7:30 p.m.

Kenston 7:30 p.m. @North 7:30 p.m.

Riverside 7:30 pm.

Mayfield 7:30 p.m. @Madison 7:30 p.m. @Grand Valley 6:30 p.m.

Wickliffe 7:30 p.m.

Skilton

2018-19 Schedule

12/1 12/4 12/7 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/21 12/28 12/29 1/4 1/11 1/18 1/19 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/8 2/12 2/15 2/16 2/19

league, I think.”

“It was a quick journey,” Sulka said about facing graduation. “We lost a lot of our weapons. But we have players on this team that will come out of nowhere and play well. People will be surprised.”

Despite the lack of experience, Murawski thinks he has a hard-working team with a high basketball IQ. And it’s playing as a team, after being dominated by a handful of scorers for two seasons. That could be the Hilltop-

B. Sulka

pers’ biggest asset.

Six seniors are on the roster.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Murawski said. “I’m encouraged and excited because on different nights, different players will lead in scoring. We want to be up-tempo and shoot the first good look we get.”

Senior Mikey Corsillo steps in as the team’s point guard.

“We have a lot of energy, and we’re just working hard,” Corsillo said. “It’s a great bunch of guys. We’re ready to go out there and work hard.”

Corsillo wants to push the tempo of this offense in transition.

“He’s a true point guard,” Murawski said. “He commands the floor, has great energy, and I trust him. I think he’s up to the task.”

Jacob Hougan is 6 feet 7 inches with a 7-foot wingspan in the low post. Hougan makes it hard for opposing players on the low block, and is still working on finishing on offense at the rim.

Senior Jake Skilton has a deadly 3-point shot as shooting guard. He works very hard on offense and has good floor vision.

“My teammates make it easy for me to be a leader,” Skilton said.

Yet Ben’s brother, freshman Nathanael Sulka, could be the player coaches are most excited for this season.

At 6-3, Nathanael does not look like a freshman. And having grown up on a basketball court, he will make an immediate impact as an athletic starter who plays a lot of his team’s minutes.

“He can pass it, he slashes, he rebounds,” Murawski said. “He’s special. He’s everything everyone said he was and more. I have to remind myself he’s a freshman because there are growing pains with him.”

Sophomore Brady Toth will be first off the bench as sixth man.

The Hilltoppers will play man defense throughout the year.

Other sophomores Ethan Sole and Drew Fetchik are expected to make significant contributions when they find their roles.

Dante Perrico will miss at least half the season with a football injury, but the senior does expect to play at some point.

Seniors Patrick Mears and Will Kidd will both play off the bench.

Depth is a concern for Chardon, so the reserves could make or break the season.

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 9

Chardon Hilltoppers

Tall, Fast, Experienced ‘Toppers Ready to Roll Behind the strength of eight seniors, the Hilltoppers start the season with a shot to do something special.

Lindsey Nichols, Sydney Feller, Danni McCartney and Tori Butala are all returning starters. Add junior Halle Landies, and head coach Cullen Harris, starting his fifth season, wants people to pay attention.

“The hope is this culminates in what has been a threeyear process with some really talented kids,” Harris said.

Harris wants to work inside-out this year. The Hilltoppers settled for an outside shot too many times last season, and defenses keyed on that.

Heading into her senior season, Feller owns school records in 3-pointers made in a game, season and career.

“She’s also been working on other areas of her game, like handling the ball, defending, rebounding,” Harris said.

“It’s bittersweet,” Feller said of being a senior. “But we have a lot of confidence going into this year, and we have a lot of good talent this year. I’m really excited.”

The experienced steady point guard is Nichols, a fouryear starter who does every-

thing on the court well.

“What she does doesn’t always show up in the box score,” Harris said. “But she takes care of the ball. She’s our best on-ball defender, rebounds well for her size. We’re better when she’s on the floor.”

“I think we know each other well, and so we play together well,” Nichols said. “I’m just super excited for this season.”

McCartney, who has battled injuries in her career, is healthy.

She is a matchup problem for opposing forwards because of her physical play.

“Coach throws a lot at us,” McCartney said, “but he expects greatness of us because he knows we can get there.”

Butala is also 100 percent in the preseason after missing it last season.

Conditioning is paying off this year for the 6-2 post player.

“I finally don’t feel behind, and I feel like a part of the team,” Butala said.

“She gotten tougher and stronger in the offseason,” Harris said.

Four Hilltoppers are over 6 feet tall and will have a chance to log varsity minutes.

Senior Grace Koppelman (6-0) will be the first post player off the bench for Chardon.

Butala

Feller

McCartney

2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

Sophomore Lexi Paros-Gaser (6-0) expects to get minutes but may start junior varsity.

Sophomore Kayla Noerr will also compete for time.

Landies, who averaged 10 points last year, could very well be the most talented player on the team.

She can get to the basket on a drive at any time, knock down jumpshots.

“Probably one of the most athletic players in the area,” Harris said. “She has the highest potential of any player I’ve coached ever. Nobody can

Nichols

11/24 @Kirtland 11/28 Maple Hts. 12/1 Canfield 12/5 Brush 12/8 @South 12/12 Kenston 12/19 North 12/28 @New Philadelphia 1/2 @Riverside 1/9 Mayfield 1/14 @Geneva 1/16 @Madison 1/19 South 1/23 @Brush 1/26 @Kenston 1/28 @Perry 1/30 @North 2/2 Riverside 2/4 Mentor 2/6 @Mayfield 2/9 Madison 2/11 Harvey

6 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

guard her.”

Sophomore Sam Liechty, with good size and strength, is likely the first player off the bench who can play multiple positions.

Senior Anna Pastor is a back-up guard.

Anna Thompson, Jessica Doyle, Ashley Hoenigman, Caitlyn Goodrich and Marisa Organiscak round out the varsity roster.

Another key could be avoiding a slow start, which plagued a talented team last season.

Page 10

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Kenston Bombers

Question Mark for Bombers with New Head Coach Kenston alum will try to build on 15-win season

By Brian Lavrich EDITOR’S NOTE: A complete edition of the Kenston boys basketball preview could not be finished at press time due to the football team’s historic playoff run.

The Kenston boys basketball team had a solid campaign last year, but this year, with a new coach, the Bombers look to be even better.

Kenston finished last season at 15-9, reaching a Division

Gabel

Gorski James Rhodes High 5 p.m.

J ames Rhodes High 5 p.m.

Benedictine 7:30 p.m. @Madison 7:30 p.m. @Riverside 7:30 p.m.

Chardon 7:30 p.m.

South 7:30 p.m.

Hudson Holiday Classic Hudson Holiday Classic North 7:30 p.m.

University 7:30 p.m. @Brush 7:30 p.m.

Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

Bedford 7:30 p.m.

Riverside 7:30 p.m.

Madison 7:30 p.m. @Chardon 7:30 p.m.

South 7:30 p.m. @North 7:30 p.m.

Brush 7:30 p.m. @Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

Western Reserve 7:30 p.m. @St. Ignatius 7:30 p.m.

Long

2018-19 Schedule

11/30 11/30 12/4 12/7 12/11 12/14 12/21 12/27 12/28 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/18 1/22 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/8 2/12 2/15 2/19 2/22

I sectional final before falling to Cleveland Central Catholic, 83-63.

Kenston great Derrick DeJarnette has replaced Matt Vespa as head coach. He is a 1994 graduate of Kenston and the Bombers’ all-time leader in career points with 1,378.

Most recently, he was Kenston’s junior varsity head coach, then a varsity assistant under Vespa last year. Vespa led the Bombers to a 42-29 record over three seasons.

Ransom

“This is a new system and a new beginning,” DeJarnette said. “Defense wins games.

That’s my style. It would be nice to hold teams under 50 to 55 points.”

The Bombers will look to compete in the Western Reserve Conference, which is a deep and talented league.

“You always know Brush is good,” DeJarnette said. “Chardon gets after it. No night will be an easy night.”

Senior guard Jett Ransom talked about DeJarnette’s focus on defense.

“We’re really ramping it up now,” Ransom said. “We have a lot more speed and will press.

We also have a whole new offense. I love it. It will definitely pay off in the end.”

Ransom said the Bombers will look to run more on offense as well.

DeJarnette said Ransom will be one of the keys for the Bombers this season.

“I look for him to have a big season,” DeJarnette said. “He’s a leader on and off the court.”

Blaise Gorski, a senior forward, agreed with Ransom.

“It’s a whole new philosophy,” Gorski said. “Everything has changed. We’re defense oriented, hustle oriented.

“We’re not the tallest team,

but we’re deep. We have a lot of good players coming off the bench.”

DeJarnette said the Bombers should be able to go nine deep most games.

Senior guard Noah Gabel said the WRC will be a challenge.

“It’s always a tough conference,” Gabel said. “There are a lot of good teams.”

Winning the WRC is one of the team’s main goals, said senior forward Ryan Long.

“For me, it’s insanely important,” Long said. “It’s our last year (as seniors), obviously.

We have the chemistry and the mindset. We all want to win.

We’re really getting after it.”

DeJarnette said Long has a good shot at being the leading scorer for the Bombers.

“He’s going to be our guy, on the block and shooting outside,” DeJarnette said.

Another key member of the team will be senior forward Luke Jourdian.

Kenston will play six of its first eight games away from home. The season opener is Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. against Cleveland Rhodes at Cleveland Heights High School. Kenston’s home opener will be Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. against perennial power Benedictine.

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 11

Kenston Bombers

Bombers Will Build on 18-Win Season Last Year The Kenston girls basketball team had a special season last year, winning their first district title in school history.

The Bombers’ victory over Western Reserve Conference rival Eastlake North propelled them into a Division I regional semifinal before they lost to Massillon Jackson to finish 188.

Second-year coach John Misenko also saw the Bombers finish second in the WRC to the Rangers last season.

“We’re young,” Misenko said. “We’re inexperienced in some spots. We’re looking on a lot of kids to step up and play roles they’re not used to playing.”

The Bombers will put a major focus on defense, especially full-court pressure. Misenko said it may take a little while for the offense to start to click, but they want to make sure they’re tough defensively every night.

Misenko said his backcourt will essentially have two point guards: senior Kate Taylor and freshman Catara DeJarnette.

“If we put in the work, we have a lot of potential,” Taylor said. “We can go really far.

“We have a lot of potential.

But we play in a good confer-

ence with a lot of solid teams.

I’m really excited for the competition. That will prepare us for the postseason.”

Taylor started some games last season and has been a main contributor off the bench since her freshman year.

DeJarnette, who is boys coach Derrick DeJarnette’s daughter, has a lot of potential.

“It’s a huge transition, but I know defense is key,” DeJarnette said. “We want the ball.

We have to press and work hard.”

Misenko said DeJarnette will probably be the only freshman on the varsity team.

“She’s a good shooter,” Misenko said. “She knows what she’s doing. She handles the ball and can score. She’s done a nice job of fitting in.”

Another top returning player is junior wing Rachel Apshago, who played particularly well during the Bombers’ playoff run.

“We lost a lot of good leaders, but everyone knows how to step up,” Apshago said.

Senior post Rayonna Peterson also returns and will be counted on for rebounding and defense in the paint. She missed part of last season due to an injury.

“It’s been a long time get-

Apshago

DeJarnette

2018-19 Schedule

By Brian Lavrich

ting back in shape,” Peterson said. “I’m getting close to where I want to be.”

The Bombers aren’t the tallest team, so Peterson said she knows there is pressure on everyone to rebound.

“That’s my specialty,” Peterson said. “Whenever we miss a shot, I want to go get it back.”

Misenko said the last starter is up for grabs between juniors Eden Kesler and Chloe Thomas, but both should contribute this season.

Providing depth off the

Peterson 11/24 12/3 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/17 12/19 1/2 1/7 1/9 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9

Taylor

Bulldog Battle Canton 5 p.m.

Maple Hts. 7:30 p.m. @Madison 7:30 p.m.

Riverside 2 p.m.

@Chardon 7:30 p.m.

Howland 6 p.m.

@Bedford 7:30 p.m.

@South 7:30 p.m.

North 7:30 p.m.

St. Vincent-St. Mary 7:30 p.m. @Brush 7:30 p.m.

Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

@Riverside 2:30 p.m.

Madison 7:30 p.m.

Chardon 2 p.m.

South 7:30 p.m. @North 2 p.m.

Brush 7:30 p.m. @Mayfield 2 p.m.

bench will be Mykaya Montgomery, Kendall Jacobson, Gina Artale, Britta Treu, Marcie Oglesbee and Graci Skala.

Peterson, Taylor and Apshago were all key members of last year’s historic team, but now they want more.

“Last year, that was our goal,” Peterson said. “Our goal this year is, we want to go farther.”

The Bombers’ next game will be against Maple Heights on Dec. 3 at home before heading on the road to face Madison on Dec. 5.

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Page 12

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Newbury Black Knights

Big Things Expected from Little Newbury

By Rich Kelly The Black Knights return a strong senior class that has ton of varsity experience. But there was one big negative that came out of this football season: Noah Parsons suffered a broken bone in his foot.

Parsons is disappointed at his current predicament, but sees much to be fired up for as well.

“I’m hoping I can just miss only six weeks or so,” Parsons said. “It all depends on how the

Johnson

Mansfield

Puletti

2018-19 Schedule

11/30 @Windham 7 p.m.

12/4 @Fairport 7 p.m.

12/7 Bristol 7 p.m.

12/14 @Lordstown 7 p.m.

12/18 @Pyamtuning Valley 7 p.m.

12/21 Medina Christian 6:30 p.m.

12/28 @St. John 7:30 p.m.

1/2 @Cardinal 7 p.m.

1/4 @Chalker 7 p.m.

1/8 Vienna Mathews 7 p.m.

1/11 Windham 7 p.m.

1/18 @Bristol 7 p.m.

1/23 @Badger 12:15 p.m.

1/25 Lordstown 7 p.m.

1/29 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

2/1 Chalker 7 p.m.

2/5 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

2/9 Berkshire 2:30 p.m.

2/12 Crestwood 7 p.m.

2/15 Wickliffe 7 p.m.

2/19 Fuchs Mizrachi 6:30 p.m.

2/22 @Independence 7 p.m.

healing proceeds, but these guys are all my buddies that I grew up with. It’s tough not being out there with them, but I have to be patient and let things take their course.”

“One huge positive for us starting out this season is that we didn’t lose any seniors from last year’s team,” head coach Dan Jones said. “We had our ups and downs, but the experience we gained was huge.”

Offense will try to run the floor as much as possible, said Jones, starting his fifth season.

Surckla

“When we have to slow down, we’ll rotate the ball and spread things out going side to side to find open shots,” Jones said.

With senior Owen Mansfield back as the team’s only really tall presence on the court, pressure defense will also be a goal.

“I’m pretty confident about this season,” Mansfield said.

“I’ve looked forward to this year for a long time now ... I think we’ve got some good athletes who know how to win.”

“I think we will work best at applying pressure on defense with hopes of creating offense from the defense,” Jones said.

He continued: “Optimism is a big thing among the players, many of whom have come a long way in growth, experience-wise, in playing together since elementary school.”

Another senior who has grown in the process is Julian Surckla. With his blazing speed on the floor, getting out on a fast break and going to the basket will be important.

“I think we’ll do pretty well this season,” Surckla said. “We care about each other, we’ve grown up together, and we’ve also learned how to win some games. That’s a lot of fun.”

Another senior, Mario Puletti, brings a sense of calm and direction to the frenetic pace

of the rest of his teammates, all blessed with quickness afoot.

“I feel pretty good about things for us this season,” Puletti said. “There’s a lot at stake here for us with the uncertainty of the school system itself, but we have a lot of pride, and all of us want to finish up on a strong note at Newbury High School.”

“I operate on the K.I.S.S. principle,” Jones said. “Keep It Simple, Stupid, is the mantra I try to go with all the time. This is a great bunch of kids in special times of their lives, so I want this to be positive for them. We play some good teams, so they will need to be ready to play both mentally and physically as well.”

Sophomore John Tropf had a breakout season as a freshman and will be an important contributor.

Tino Johnson has been playing varsity since his sophomore season.

Matt Fink and Evan Arnold round out the varsity roster.

There’s been great reason for the athletes at Newbury to strut the hallways so far this school year, and skill sets in both soccer and volleyball show that there is much reason for pride, despite outside distractions.

The skill sets are already there; focus, however, will be critical.

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 13

Newbury Black Knights

Small Roster But Big Senior Hearts in Newbury The news came as a relief for Carla Richardson as she started her sixth season as head coach of the Newbury Black Knights.

Two experienced holdouts would in fact come out for the team.

It was important news for a slim roster, and it could make or break the season for this team’s four talented seniors.

Seniors Hannah Grubbs, Haley Hamilton, Mackenzie Grubbs and Julia Elia are the four Black Knight letter-winners that give the team the most hope to have a strong season.

“I expect them to be an extension of the coaching staff out on the court,” Richardson said. “They are all team-focused, and I have no doubt they will be excellent leaders.”

Hannah returns with the most experience.

“Julia and Haley and I have been playing together for four years or more,” Grubbs said, “and they’ve always been the ones most excited about basketball and Newbury in general. I’m excited.”

She said she’s adjusting to the fact that she’s a senior this year.

“Thinking about that, I just

want to give it my all, and I don’t want to have any regrets looking back,” Hannah said.

Elia just finished a district championship volleyball season.

“We’ve bonded so much, we all flow so well,” Elia said. “I try to get everyone clear-headed and keep everyone calm.”

Hamilton said the team will lack size. But she’s not worried about the roster size, which started the season with about 10 players total.

“In a way, it’s an advantage, because we’re going to get a stronger bond as a team,” she said, “and with that we’re going to work better together.”

Juniors HannaRose Brastoff and Malarie Eggleston both were strong contributors to the varsity team last year.

Those six players make up a core that has played together for years. After that, the team has plenty of question marks as to who will step up and play big minutes.

“We may lack in depth, but with the cohesion with our core group, I have a lot of confidence that they will have a fun season and see results,” Richardson said.

Holly Hamilton and Maddie Zembiak are both freshmen who could see varsity time, as well as sophomore Sydney Loudon.

Elia

H. Grubbs

2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

Bri Thigpen is a junior transfer from Kenston.

Richardson wants her team to slow down some this year to execute on offense and be selective with shots.

Ballhandling is a team strength with three guards who can help bring the basketball up the floor.

The coach expects all five players on the floor to be excellent passers, and her core group to be able to score the basketball.

“We just need to take care of the basketball and take better shots,” Richardson said. “We

Hamilton

11/26 @Windham 6 p.m.

11/28 @Berkshire 7 p.m.

12/3 @Bristol 6 p.m.

12/6 Lordstown 6 p.m.

12/10 @Fuchs Mizrachi 6 p.m.

12/13 Fairport 6 p.m.

12/15 @Chalker 2:30 p.m.

12/17 @Pymatuning Valley 6 p.m.

12/20 @Mentor Christian 5:45 p.m.

12/22 @Hawken 2:30 p.m.

1/3 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

1/7 Mathews 6 p.m.

1/10 St. John 6 p.m.

1/14 Wickliffe 6 p.m.

1/16 Cardinal 6 p.m.

1/19 John Adams 1 p.m.

1/23 @Badger 10:30 a.m.

1/28 @Maplewood 6 p.m.

1/31 @Lordstown 6 p.m.

2/4 Chalker 6 p.m.

2/7 Windham 6 p.m.

2/11 Bristol 6 p.m.

don’t want to be hurried this year. This group is more disciplined.”

Newbury continues to make the best of things as possible controversial consolidation plans divide the community. All three coaches are Newbury graduates.

“I went to the board meeting on Monday and they were talking about consolidation,” said Hannah. “Well this is my year to show them Newbury should stay and show them we’re a good school — through basketball.”

Page 14

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Lions

Lions Will Shift Focus With a New Beginning Coaches try to improve on difficult last season

By Jamie Ward The Lions start their 2018 season with very little varsity experience, which, to turn a normal negative into a positive, could be a good thing considering the 3-20 record a season ago.

First-year head coach Tim Schmotzer, a 25-year veteran with nearly 300 varsity wins, most recently at Normandy, said it’s an exciting time for NDCL. “Anybody who says their team is good right now, they’re lying to themselves,” said

Gatto

D. Martin

F. Martin

2018-19 Schedule

* JV start times listed 12/2 Richmond Hts. (vars. only) 7:45 p.m.

12/4 @Riverside 6 p.m.

12/7 University 6 p.m.

12/11 CVCA 5:30 p.m.

12/14 @Warren JFK 5:30 p.m.

12/22 @Perry 5 p.m.

12/29 Olmsted Falls 6 p.m.

1/4 Clev. Central Catholic 5:30 p.m.

1/5 @Padua 5:30 p.m.

1/8 @Holy Name 6 p.m.

1/11 @Lake Catholic 5:30 p.m.

1/15 Aurora 6 p.m.

1/18 Walsh 5:30 p.m.

1/22 Western Reserve 5:30 p.m.

1/25 Trinity 5:30 p.m.

2/1 Padua 5:30 p.m.

2/5 Chagrin Falls 5:30 p.m.

2/8 @Hoban 5:30 p.m.

2/12 West Geauga 6 p.m.

2/15 Lake Catholic 5:30 p.m.

2/19 Collinwood 5:30 p.m.

2/22 @Walsh 5:30 p.m.

Schmotzer in the second week of November. “It’s going to take a little while. That’s the part we are looking forward to — putting it together.”

Three seniors join an entire roster of juniors. Seniors Anthony Rabil and Daniel Martin and junior Donny Gatto are three returning players with the most varsity experience.

Gatto, a state qualifier in cross country, is the team’s point guard. Given that NDCL struggled with breaking pressure last year, his experience is

Rabil

going to be critical.

“I think I’ll be able to handle everything better than I did last year,” Gatto said. “We just have to stick together as a team.”

“We are going to have to break pressure, and not just break it, but score points off of that pressure,” Schmotzer said.

Rabil leads by example, practicing hard every day.

At 6 feet 3 inches, his physical presence will be important.

“That’s something we’re really going to need, because in our league there is size,” Schmotzer said, “and we don’t have a lot of size.”

“We’ve made sure we’ve kept a positive attitude, because times got tough last year,” Rabil said. “Even if they get tough this year, we need to bounce back.”

Daniel Martin has been a dedicated Lion, working hard in the offseason to become a leader his senior year.

“I think it’s important I’m always working hard in practice to set an example for the rest of the players,” he said.

“He brings a little of everything,” his coach said. “He can score some, he can rebound.”

His cousin, junior Frank Martin, had an excellent preseason also, Schmotzer said, and will be the team’s hard-nosed shooting guard.

“We were successful freshman year, and we’re all buddies off the court,” Martin said.

Junior Andrew Batista has been a pleasant surprise for coaches. “He does a great job attacking the basket and really probes the defense and opens things up for other guys on the team,” Schmotzer said.

Dane Berschig has a wellrounded game and will be critical to breaking that pressure.

Jack Szmania is a smart player who can knock down shots.

Kevin Queen, Elliott Martin, Harmond Richardson, Luke Kruschke and Benjamin Szabo round out the varsity roster.

NDCL formerly played at a break-neck pace on offense, getting up as many shots — often 3-pointers — as possible.

That will change.

There will be more screens.

More half-court fundamentals.

“We cannot give up second shots with our lack of size,” the coach said.

The sky may not be the limit for this team. But the hardships of last season already seem to be only a memory.

“The kids have a desire to improve,” Schmotzer said.

“They are looking forward to the challenge to turn the program around. It’s exciting for the coaches to share in that.”

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 15

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Lions

Nice Blend of Talent on the Floor for Lions NDCL’s stable program ready for another run This season’s Notre DameCathedral Latin Lions will have some new faces getting more playing time, but the talent available to head coach Joe Spicuzza lends itself to playing a similar style as years past on the court.

There are two seniors on the roster in Summer Salem and Kaelin Ettinger.

“I’m excited to lead the team this year both on the court and off the court,” said Salem, who will facilitate the offense as point guard. “Things are going really good. We are improving in practice every day.”

“The talent on our team is really good this year,” said Ettinger. “Everyone has a certain role, and when we bring that out, we’re really going to beat up some teams.”

Spicuzza wants to use pressure on defense — mid-court trapping — to fuel the Lion offense.

“I think one of our biggest positives is that we will be deep, going all the way into our bench in some games to keep things moving,” Spicuzza said.

Three letter-winners return in addition to the seniors. Junior Emma Liberatore is one of those

keys players who will provide inside scoring and rebounding.

There isn’t a ton of size on the Lions roster this season.

Beside Ettinger (5-9) and Liberatore (5-7), the Lions don’t look like a power on the boards, but the team’s tenacity will make opponents work harder than normal.

Junior Ally Ziegler, at 5-10, is the tallest Lion, and along with junior Sarah Uhran, at 5-8, NDCL will work hard to make sure rebounding is not a weakness.

Factor in juniors Annie Carney and Lauren Frank, both with some floor time to their credit, along with Erica Leinweber and Lydia Frindt, and toss in Audrey Joyce, Emma Tibaldi and Julia Lease — and the components for a solid season at NDCL are all there.

Outside shooting will be a threat as Salem and Frindt are capable of making long shots.

Ettinger and Liberatore can also shoot and drive.

Ziegler expects to get fast break chances, too.

Liberatore gained in stature over the course of last season, and her success in track, making it to the state meet in Columbus, provides a great incentive for

Ettinger

Liberatore

2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

even better things to come.

“I’m excited about this season,” Liberatore said. “We did well last season, but not as good as we would like. I need to work more on my outside shooting just to keep teams honest against me. As long as I look to pass to teammates for open shots as well, we will be tough to stop.”

Salem knows the team will look to her, but she trusts her teammates.

“If their shots are falling, I don’t need to worry about scoring,” she said. “But if the shots

Salem

* JV start times listed 11/28 @Western Reserve 5 p.m.

12/5 @Lake Ridge 6 p.m.

12/8 St. Joseph Academy 1 p.m.

12/12 @St. Thomas 5:30 p.m.

12/15 @Hoban 1 p.m.

12/22 Walsh 1 p.m.

12/27 @Aurora 6 p.m.

12/29 Chagrin Falls 1 p.m.

1/2 Padua 5:30 p.m.

1/5 Lake Catholic 1 p.m.

1/7 @Kirtland 6 p.m.

1/9 Warren JFK 6:30 p.m.

1/12 @Mayfield 11 a.m.

1/16 Perry 5:30 p.m.

1/19 @Gilmour 1 p.m.

1/26 VASJ 1 p.m.

1/30 @Beaumont 5:30 p.m.

2/2 Clev. Central Catholic 1 p.m.

2/6 @Trinity 5:30 p.m.

2/9 Ursuline 1 p.m.

2/11 Riverside 5:30 p.m.

2/13 @Orange 5 p.m.

are there for me as well, I can take them and be comfortable with it.”

Though NDCL’s schedule is always difficult in the North Coast League, the team will try to improve from last year.

The Lions are not a juggernaut, but they have quickness and speed that will translate into wins for the Munson Township crew.

With depth added to those other qualities, it’s safe to say this should be a positive season on the hardwoods for the NDCL Lions.

Page 16

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

West Geauga Wolverines

It’s Reload, Not Rebuild, for Defending CVC Champs

By Jamie Ward The bad news is the Wolverines graduated six seniors from a year ago.

But the good news is seven more seniors stepped up to this team that was 19-3 a year ago.

Those seniors will provide the foundation for whether or not the Wolverines can repeat as CVC Chagrin Division champions.

“Most of these guys have been in our program long enough that they kind of un-

Bissler

Aurora 7:30 p.m.

Chardon 7:30 p.m. @Maple Hts. 7:30 p.m. @Berkshire 7:30 p.m.

Harvey 7:30 p.m. @Orange 7:30 p.m.

Perry 7:30 p.m.

Chagrin Falls 7:30 p.m. @Geneva 7:30 p.m. @Beachwood 7:30 p.m.

Hawken 7:30 p.m.

Orange 7:30 p.m. @Perry 7:30 p.m. @Chagrin Falls 7:30 p.m.

Geneva 7:30 p.m. @Harvey 7:30 p.m.

Beachwood 7:30 p.m. @Hawken 7:30 p.m.

Kirtland 7:30 p.m. @NDCL 7:30 p.m.

Irwin

2018-19 Schedule

11/29 12/1 12/4 12/7 12/8 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/21 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/15 1/18 1/22 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/8 2/12

Cutting

derstand what we do and the philosophies we preach,” said Jeff Javorek, now in his fourth season leading the Wolverines.

“Everything is coming full circle now.”

Yet sophomore Josh Irwin is still the standout forward who will drive West Geauga’s success again this year. Irwin won CVC player of the year as a freshman, the first time that has ever happened.

“He was the difference,” Javorek said. “And he’s worked really hard this offseason in

S. Javorek

being an all-around player. I’m expecting him to have another breakout year, as crazy as that sounds.”

Irwin is a mismatch nightmare for opponents because of his ability to play inside and outside at 6 feet 6 inches.

“I feel very confident in my team,” Irwin said On the inevitable extra attention he will get this year, he said: “I just need to block it out and play. I’ve dealt with it my whole life. I just need to help my team win.”

Peyton Bissler is a junior transfer who started for NDCL for two seasons.

He will be a big addition to the team as a 1-2 punch with Irwin.

“My role is going to be to bring some scoring,” said Bissler, who is an outside shooter.

Senior Stephen Javorek will start as a good-sized strong forward who does a lot of things well for the Wolverines — particularly the things that don’t always end up on the stat sheets.

“My role as a player is going to be help my teammates out,” he said. “I’m not going to be a scoring guy, but whether it’s getting rebounds or getting them open, that’s my role.”

Aidan Pitcock is a junior

guard will also start. And seniors Marco Formichelli and Elijah Cutting will play significant minutes from the guard positions.

Senior Shaun Podojil is a 6-5 forward who will be relied upon heavily.

Coach Javorek preaches defense and defensive rebounding as the difference-maker in high school basketball games.

“We will play with two bigs most of the time, so from that standpoint that makes us pretty solid,” Javorek said. “You have to win possessions. You can’t turn the ball over. You can’t give up offensive rebounds. You need more possessions than the other team.”

Jack Musser, Gabe Phan and Jackson Gruber are the other seniors on the team.

Expectations are high, with a back-to-back CVC Chagrin title the goal to continue this new West Geauga tradition.

Stephen Javorek is the coach’s cousin, and remembers watching Jeff when he played at West Geauga.

“Growing up, he was a role model to me,” Stephen said.

“Now, being able to play for him, you just try to impress him even more. Impress him as a coach, but impress him as a cousin.”

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 17

West Geauga Wolverines

Young Wolverines Hope for More Wins in 2018 The Wolverines have a new head coach for the first time in 22 years.

Bob Beutel takes over with 694 wins in 38 years as a head coach.

He won a Division III state title with Gilmour in 2017. And while he has moved to Geauga County, he still is catching up with West Geauga.

“So far I’ve seen a bunch of kids who are hungry and willing to work,” Beutel said. “And what I’ve told them is, embrace the change.”

The team expects to be led on the floor by three super sophomores in Nikola Ehrbar, Athena Hocevar and Elana Zebrowski.

Ehrbar and Zebrowski started last season.

Hocevar grew up at West Geauga but transferred to Gilmour her freshmen year.

Now she’s back. She said the transition has been easy.

“I think we’re playing good as a team and talking a lot,” said Zebrowski, who expects the defensive pressure to be a big change this year.

Hocevar said despite her grade, she looks to help her teammates on the floor with some of the things she learned

playing in a state title game last year with Gilmour.

Ehrbar is excited about the potential of this group.

“We are starting to figure it out, and I think that will make for a good season,” Ehrbar said.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of intensity. We don’t want to have another losing season.”

Ehrbar will be the team’s point guard. Zebrowski and Hocevar are going to be on the wing.

The three seniors on the team — Bridgette Sexton, Alex Desciscio and Sarah Suba — will work into the rotation as the season progresses.

“I think we’re doing really well and adjusting to changes,” Sexton said. “We are trying to build up the new program.”

Defensively, Sexton wants to see more communication.

Beutel said he is a coach who tends to work with a smaller rotation of players, but he could see using a nine- or 10-player rotation this season.

He expects to know more by the end of December about how things will shake up.

Desciscio has good size in the post.

Juniors Rose Lamento and Natalie Mueller figure to be in the rotation, along with Bella Burkhard, who will play guard.

Ehrbar

Hocevar

Lauren Munko is another sophomore who played varsity at the end of the last season.

The Wolverines want to run an up-tempo offense and score more points than they have in the past.

Part of the scoring, coaches hope, will come from defensive pressure. West Geauga wants to pressure teams into turnovers and turn those into easy buckets.

Marissa Bican, Rae Ehrbar, Meghan Zebrowski and Vivienne Weir round out the West Geauga varsity roster.

“We need to make some

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2018-19 Schedule

By Jamie Ward

11/23 11/27 11/30 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/19 12/22 12/29 1/5 1/9 1/12 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/11 2/13

E. Zebrowski

Wickliffe 7:30 p.m.

Riverside 7:30 p.m.

Richmond Hts. 7:30 p.m.

Geneva 7:30 p.m. @Hawken 2:30 p.m.

Perry 7:30 p.m.

Perry 2:30 p.m.

@Orange 7:30 p.m.

@Kirtland 2:30 p.m.

Independence 7:30 p.m. @Beachwood 2:30 p.m.

Harvey 7:30 p.m. @Chagrin Falls 2:30 p.m.

Geneva 2:30 p.m.

Hawken 7:30 p.m. @Perry 2:30 p.m.

Orange 7:30 p.m.

Beachwood 2:30 p.m. @Harvey 7:30 p.m.

Chagrin Falls 2:30 p.m. @Trinity 7 p.m. @Berkshire 7:30 p.m.

easy opportunities for our offense to score,” Beutel said, “and also to have the wherewithal to pull it out if need be.”

“Scrimmages are scrimmages, I know that,” Beutel said. “But these kids needed wins, and we won all three scrimmages.”

The Wolverines won just one game a season ago.

A game this season in Erie will require an overnight stay.

Beutel said taking team trips is a big part of his philosophy to bring the team together, and hopes for more ambitious trips in the future.

Page 18

Geauga County High School Basketball Preview

Geauga County Maple Leaf

Page 19

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Geauga County High School Basketball Preview