Freshmen class adding vigor to Twinsburg girls basketball

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but it’s clear that this year’s freshman class for Twinsburg girls basketball has a Fab 5 dynamic to it.

First-year head coach Ryan Looman is navigating through both as Twinsburg heads towards post season action, but the presence of the five freshman rotation players will be a huge factor beyond this year’s tournament.

“This season has proven to be a learning and growing experience for each one of our ninth graders,” Looman said. “Learning how to translate their game to the high school level, play to their strong suits, and work on any areas that need growth are such important factors to their success.”

The freshmen include Taylor Dye, Kayla Cellura, Mackenzie Sweeney, Tamia Andrews and Riley Velican.

“We have seen some ups and downs, but overall, we are incredibly happy with the foundations they are setting,” said Looman. “We absolutely love coaching them as they are not only such a big part of our program, but they are outstanding students and awesome young people.”

Twinsburg, 9-13 overall, received the 29th seed overall in the Northeast Ohio Division I East super district and the Tigers will compete in the Northeast 2 Massillon Perry Sectional-District tournament.

In the opening round, the Tigers will play at fourth-seeded Hathaway Brown Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. in Shaker Heights.

“We ended up with limited options at our spot - if you compare the East to the West, it looks a lot different,” explained Looman. “Many of our top seeds took a first round game whereas on the West, many took a bye. When you see them take games, which I would also do if we were in their shoes, it leaves little room for sectionals to open up. So, teams seeded 25 and below start looking at which of the top seeds they matchup better with.”

“We didn’t want to go at Stow as they are a league team, and we didn’t want to go at one of the top two seeds. I didn’t like the notion of taking a bye as we would have two weeks off so that really only left us with our current situation.”

Tiger seniors are looking for an upset. The senior class includes Alexis Cellura, Genesis Carthen, Lauren Glessman, Sophie Adick, and Abby Carroll.

“For our seniors, this is it, their last chance to go and make a run,” said Looman. “I think they understand as many have been here before or have made those deep postseason runs in other sports. They have worked so incredibly hard over their four years that they deserve nothing but going out on the right note.”

Twinsburg ended 4-8 in the loaded Suburban League National Conference thanks to a 41-36 win at North Royalton Friday.

A red-hot Carroll netted 12 points and had five rebounds and three steals while Adick had six points and 10 rebounds, and Dye had nine points, four assists and four thefts.

Fueled by the play of the seniors – Twinsburg beat Cuyahoga Falls 42-21 on Senior Night Feb. 1. Carroll netted 11 points and three steals while Alexis Cellura had five points and three thefts. Sweeney sparkled with 10 points and two steals.

Hathaway Brown is 16-6 and has been state-ranked in the Martin RPI Ohio poll.

“HB is a very good team with players who have developed and blossomed,” said Looman. “I remember seeing them come on the scene as freshmen a few years ago and now they are bonafide players.”

“Guard play is huge for them as Piscatelli can make a lot of things happen with or without the ball. but they have balance and that makes it difficult. In terms of competing with them, it is playing a clean game. They are battle tested and have high aspirations, so, limiting turnovers, playing as one, and competing for 32 minutes will be huge.”

If Twinsburg pulls off the upset, the Tigers advance to a sectional championship Feb. 16 at 23rd seeded Massillon (9-7) at 7 p.m.

Dye is a speedy 5-3 point guard who is averaging 8.3 points a game, along with 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.0 assists.

“Taylor is electric with the ball in her hand,” said Looman. “Learning how to finish against size in the paint and how to run an offense against the various looks has provided some challenges. However, there are plenty of moments when you can tell the game is never too big for her.”

“She (Dye) has done great playing in space,” Looman added. “When you see Taylor get out and go, it is impressive. She can get downhill and attack in the open court quickly and yet also use that speed on the defensive end as well.”

“I haven’t been around many freshmen point guards who can control the game in the way Taylor does,” stressed Looman.

The most versatile athlete on the roster is Kayla Cellura, a 5-9 forward who can play many positions on the court and is scoring at a 9.2-point clip with 5.8 boards, 2.3 thefts, and 1.2 assists.

“Kayla is a phenomenal athlete who often makes things easier,” noted Looman. “For Kayla, we ask her to do a lot of things in our offense and guard multiple positions on the defensive side, so adjusting to the multiple roles she fills can be tough. However, Kayla has been a rock for us.”

Looman went on, “Kayla attacks and can get to the hoop, and finishes well around the rim. She has the length to be creative in scoring when she gets to the paint. She is such a fluid player and leads us in minutes played and is one of our leaders in most statistical categories.”

Much like Dye, the 5-3 Sweeney has had to adjust getting shots off against taller foes. She has adapted to the team’s need for defense and has shined with 3.4 points a game and 1.2 steals.

“Mackenzie comes off the bench for us, but plays big minutes and defense has been her best aspect this year,” said Looman. “Mackenzie is going to be a knockdown shooter for us. However, she has earned her time because she doesn’t back down from opposing guards.”

“I think the physicality of the high school game provided the biggest challenger for her, but like all five (freshmen), she is an incredibly hard worker and she has worked on

her craft outside of our practices in order to improve and adjust. She is a tough nosed kid who doesn’t back away from a challenge.”

Both Andrews and Velican are 5-7 wings who have helped in a variety of spots.

“Tamia may be the most athletically gifted player,” said Looman. “For Tamia, there are times where the mental speed of the game and the decision-making process has been tough. However, she is a smart kid and as the games progressed, she has handled that well and responded in a positive manner and has done numerous things that have made a positive impact.”

“Riley is a tough and physical kid who likes to attack on both ends,” said Looman. “For Riley, her learning curve was positioning on the court. Learning where to be in her closeouts and how to give herself room to finish.”

“Defense is an area where Riley has been a good 1-on-1 defender and takes coaching extremely well,” he added. “She has been a kid that we can put out in a face guard or when we pressure the ball. Her jumper has improved tremendously.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Young guns adding enthusiasm to Twinsburg girls basketball