Girls basketball scouting reports for the 2022-23 season
The following coaches responded to requests for information for the 2022-23 season:
ALLIANCE
Coach: Rod Smith, 13-51 in his 4th season
Assistant coaches: Greg Sampson, Brittney Percy, Danielle Lunsford.
2021-22 record: 7-14, 1-11 EBC
Returning letter winners: Jayla Callock, junior (12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 spg, 2nd team All-EBC; H.M. District 4); Marzae Gantz, junior (8.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.0 spg, H.M. All-EBC); Ella Smith, junior (7.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.5 spg, H.M. All-EBC); Mianna Ford (4.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.4 spg); Kelleyenne Paaoloa (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 22 blocked shots); Payton Smith (3.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg).
Newcomers: X’Zariah Fannin, junior (transfer from Canton McKinley); Alexa Brown, freshman.
The coach says: “We have good overall team speed and better inside-outside balance with the addition of post player X’Zariah Fanin. One of our weaknesses which, will not be for long, is turnovers. We need to value each and every possession.”
MARLINGTON
Coach: Mike Stadulis, 102-39 at Marlington; 234-156 overall
2021-22 record: 21-3, 11-1 EBC
Returning letter winners: Maria Warner, senior (11.2 ppg); Elizabeth Mason, senior (9.0 ppg); Lexi Miller, senior (8.8 ppg); Chelsea Evanich, junior (15.8 ppg); Ava Collins, senior (2.8 ppg).
Newcomers: Allie Gill, sophomore; Ava Clough, junior; Mahlen Lambdin, junior; Zoe Mort, sophomore; Ella Wittensolder, freshman.
The coach says: “We must stress aggression and hustle on both ends of the court. We have five girls returning with varsity experience and they have learned what it takes to succeed. A solid half-court defense is essential to make it possible for us to get out and run. To be successful on offense we must pass the ball ahead and shoot the ball with confidence. Ultimately, we must play together as a team on both offense and defense. If we can play aggressively consistently, this year’s team will again be one to look out for.”
WEST BRANCH
Coach: Walt DeShields, 321-101 in 17 seasons
Assistant coaches: Bob Shepherd, Mike Butcher, Lou Sellaroli, Tony Lucente, Chris Adams.
2021-22 record: 21-6 (9-3 EBC), Division II district champions
Returning letter winners: Cami Campbell, 5-7 senior guard (2.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg); Hannah Egli, 5-8 senior guard (4.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg); Baylee Waugaman, 5-5 senior guard (1.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg); Chloe Dennison, 5-4 junior (1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg); Sophia Gregory, 6-2 junior guard (12.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1st team All-EBC); Livvie Showalter, 6-1 junior center (8.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, H.M. All-EBC); Mikalyn Fitts, 6-2 junior (3.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg).
Newcomers: Shaylee Muckleroy, 5-7 junior guard (0.3 rpg); Mati Hawk, 5-4 sophomore guard (0.6 ppg, 0.2 rpg); Carter Shepherd, 5-9 sophomore forward (1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg); Hallie Vie Burton, 5-8 freshman forward; Tallie Muniz, 6-0 freshman center.
Losses: Anna Lippiatt (9.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2nd team All-EBC; H.M. All-Ohio; 2nd team All-NEO; 1st team District 1); Sydney Mercer (7.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, H.M. All-EBC; H.M. All-NEO).
The coach says: “One key will be that we need to replace two very good seniors (Anna Lippiatt and Sydney Mercer) from last year’s team, that had a lot to do with us having a successful season. It will be how the team comes together and develops great team chemistry, which will determine our success this season. We return three talented starters from last season, in senior Hannah Egli (good shooting guard and expected to step into a bigger scoring and leadership role), junior Sophia Gregory (point guard, leading scorer) and junior Livvie Showalter. We will need to find more contribution and consistency from the other returning players as we replace two new starters and create the depth, off of our bench. The expectations are very positive, after a successful off-season and the experience coming back, but it comes down to how much they are willing to work, continue to improve and compete to earn those goals.”
SEBRING
Coach: Anthony Agresta, 1st season
Assistant coach: Shannon Hutchison.
2021-22 record: 3-19
Returning letter winners: Alexis Byrd, senior; Blake Thomas, junior; Nevaeh Sanor, junior; Kierra Weekly, sophomore; Emma Seevers, junior.
Newcomers: Allison Hoschar, sophomore; Davianna Bowyer, freshman; Raegan Wynn, freshman.
Losses: Delaney Reggi, Devon Reggi.
The coach says: “With only one returning senior, we will be extremely young. There is much promise for the future and our girls are working very hard. Looking forward to seeing our growth throughout the year."
MINERVA
Coach: Josh Morckel, 20-47 in 3 seasons
Assistant coaches: Nick Apisa, Todd Kirkpatrick, Mike DiRocci, Maddie Foutz.
2021-22 record: 8-15, 3-9 EBC
Returning letter winners: McKayden Kirkpatrick, junior (2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg); Julia Costea, junior (missed entire season to injury); Madelyn Morckel, sophomore (0.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg).
Newcomers: Lilah Sanor, sophomore (0.7 ppg); Kyleigh Lippincott, freshman; Ireland Kirkpatrick, freshman; McKenzie French, sophomore.
Losses: Jenna Cassidy (13.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1st team All-EBC, 1st team Stark County, 1st team District 5); Lydia Brunner (7.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, H.M. All-EBC, H.M. District 5)
The coach says: “Strengths: We are a young team that is willing to learn, work hard, and continue to improve basketball skills and fundamentals. This team is focused on becoming the best team through hard work and dedication. Weaknesses: This is very young and inexperienced team with no seniors and limited varsity experience returning.”
LOUISVILLE
Coach: Jeff Couto, 142-81 in 11 seasons; 181-113 overall.
Assistant coaches: Brian Layton, Kory Swope, Angela Gibson.
2021-22 record: 15-7.
Returning letter winners: Tary Miglich, 5-6 senior (5.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg); Delaney Orin, 5-11 senior (1.0 ppg 2.0 rpg); Brooke Haren, 5-8 junior (13.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, H.M. All-Ohio, 1st team District 4); Courtney Barwick, 5-8 sophomore (9.4 ppg, 39% on 3-pointers).
Newcomers: Anna Ramsey, 5-4 senior; Addy Thorne, 5-9 junior; Lexi Wasara, 5-7 junior; Chay Cline, 5-9 sophomore; Olivia Mayle, 5-8 senior; Taylor McCully, 5-10 freshman.
Losses: Maddie Dyer; Kelsey Adelman (10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, now at Ohio Wesleyan); Kendal Loy (4.2 ppg, 7 rpg); Aubrey Thorne (4.8 ppg, school record-holder for season and career 3-point percentage).
The coach says: “Team members for the 2022-23 [season] possess an amazing work ethic coupled with a very high basketball I.Q. That alone continues to be a strength for us as we attack each practice with intentionality. They are hungry to win every practice drill and competition and then to parlay their efforts into successes found on the court come game days. Because we have so many new faces coming together for the first time, it is taking us a bit more time in becoming acclimated to one another as we seek consistency.”
SOUTHEAST
Coach: Craig Nettleton (26th season, 6th at Southeast)
Assistant Coaches: Ashley Callihan, Hannah Harnar
2021-22 Record: 15-7 (7-3 Portage Trail Conference)
Returning letter winners: Anna Keto, Cami McPeak, Sophia Fischer, Lexi Morris
Losses: Reagan Pettigrew, Abaigh Fischer, Lyndsey Pennington, McKenzie Dillon
Overall: The Pirates lost a lot to graduation, including their two leading rebounders and scorers (in Abaigh Fischer and Reagan Pettigrew) and their leader in charges taken (Lyndsey Pennington). That said, Southeast returns a proven, capable ball-handler in senior point guard Cami McPeak and a senior on the rise in Anna Keto, who missed most of her sophomore season with a torn ACL before leading the Pirates in made 3-pointers as a junior. Southeast coach Craig Nettleton stressed his team's "great effort" and balance, noting that "we could have a different player leading us in scoring" on any given night.
WATERLOO
Coach: Kevin Longanecker (9th season)
Assistant Coach: Leah Luli
2021-2022 Record: 20-2 (14-0 MVAC Scarlet Tier)
Returning letter winners: Abby Mazur, Rose Couts, Jewel Lilley, Kaira English, Lilly Foster, Kaylee Webb
Losses: None
Overall: Excitement is understandably high along Industry Road with the Vikings not graduating a single player from last year's 20-win squad. Waterloo returns the same unstoppable force down low, in junior Kaira English, who can drive, rebound and scrap with the best of them, as well as a pair of guards in Rose Couts and Lilly Foster that worked wonderfully well together last season. This Vikings team "has the ability to score in bunches and does a great job defensively at making our opponents work for their shot opportunities." The key for Waterloo likely lies in finding a few more scorers, whether it's Aracely Camacho, Jewel Lilley and Kaylee Webb down low or Bayley English up top, so the Vikings can widen their rotation a bit and allow players like Couts, Foster and Kaira English to get a little rest every now and then.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Alliance area high school girls basketball season previews
