Friday, November 23, 2001
Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division
Wildcats play role of favorite
1. Harrison
• POLL POINTS: 47 (five first-place votes from league coaches)
• COACH: Stuart Scrivner (2nd year, 12-9)
• LAST YEAR: 12-9 (10-4 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: C April Lux, G Cathy Santillo, G Susannah Brooks
• OUTLOOK: After playing in the shadows of Mason the past several seasons, Harrison is picked as the team to beat in the FAVC-Buckeye. Harrison ended Mason's 105-game FAVC winning streak last year with a 50-47 victory. Aside from the Mason victory, Harrison had a dissapointing season. The Wildcats failed to challenge for the league title and finished 12-9.
Harrison's game plan will be built around 6-foot-3 senior center April Lux. The Miami University bound-Lux will replace Michelle Munoz as the player to watch in the league. She averaged 11.5 points and nine rebounds last year. Look for those numbers to increase dramatically.
After loosing six seniors, the Wildcats will also need immediate productivity from their sophomore and freshman classes. Lux will have to play smart and avoid foul trouble as Harrison has little height without her in the lineup.
2. Glen Este
• POLL POINTS: 33
• COACH: Jeff Click (5th season, 74-35)
• LAST YEAR: 11-12 (6-8)
• KEY PLAYERS: PG Sarah Dorsch, G Sam Riley
• OUTLOOK: Last year the Trojans suffered through their first losing season under coach Click. Glen Este fielded a young team but will rebound this year with a year of experience under their belts.
Sam Riley and Sarah Dorsch will lead the backcourt attack. Riley averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 steals a game as a sophomore. Dorsch averaged 11 points and 6.8 assists.
Glen Este must use speed to overcome a lack of height. Sophomore Amanda Link (5-11) is the Trojans' tallest player. No one else on the team is taller than 5-8.
3. Mason
• POLL POINTS: 32
• COACH: Gerry Lackey (12th year, 243-26; 333-50 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 18-6 (13-1)
• KEY PLAYERS: G (12) Nicole Stein (5 ppg, 2 apg), G (12) Racheal Minnich (7.5 ppg, 2 apg, 2 spg)
• OUTLOOK: For the first time in seven seasons, Mason is not the preseason pick to win the league title. The main task for Lackey is to replace two-time Division I player of the year Michelle Munoz, now at Tennessee, and Jere Issenman. The duo combined to average almost 40 points a game last season.
With the absence of a premier player, the Comets will use balanced scoring. Mason will focus on teamwork, speed and depth at the guard position to fill the void. Nicole Stein (5 ppg, 2 apg) and Rachael Minnich (7.5 ppg, 2 steals) are returning starters at guard. Britni Lakas (13 ppg) transfered from Charleston, West Virginia to add depth.
Defensively, Mason will rely less on halfcourt defense and more on pressing and trapping its opponents. Depth will allow the Comets to keep fresh legs on the floor at all times and junior center Dawn Lower is a solid defensive player.
4. Amelia
• POLL POINTS: 31 (1)
• COACH: Rick McMullen (19th season, 12-9; 223-183)
• LAST YEAR: 12-9 (7-7 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: PG Kristen Votapek, F Kris Emmert, G Kari Gillespie
• OUTLOOK: The Barons will look to build on last season's 12-9 finish with a talented senior class. Amelia returns seven seniors led by Kari Gillespie, Kristen Votapek and Kris Emmert. The three players share 10 years of varsity experience among them.
Emmert is the top returning scoring with 11 points a game. Gillespie averaged 8.7 points and five rebounds and Votapek 7.3 points a game.
The combination of speed and depth will allow Amelia to use a full-court pressing defense liberally. Lack of size is the greatest concern.
5. Winton Woods
• POLL POINTS: 26
• COACH: Terry Wooten (3rd season, 18-25)
• LAST YEAR: 15-7 (10-4 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: C Monica Tinsley, G Ashley Burton, F Amorah Johnson
• OUTLOOK: The Warriors were the suprise team in the FAVC last year, finishing second after a last-place finish the previous year. Wooten believes her team has enough talent and experience to challenge for the league title this season. Winton Woods returns six seniors.
Amorah Johnson (11 points, 6 rebounds), Monica Tinsley (9 points, 10 rebounds) and Ashley Burton (6 points, 3 rebounds) all return as starters. The biggest
question mark for the Warriors is at point guard. The Warriors have no varsity experience returning.
Winton Woods will use a running style offense similar to last season. Wooten believes her team's quickness will be a major contribitor to success.
6. Anderson
• POLL POINTS: 24
• COACH: Chris Carletti (2nd season, 9-11)
• LAST YEAR: 9-11 (5-9 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Quincey Deeds, F Christina Leavy, G Lauren Gruber
• OUTLOOK: Four starters return from a solid team that finished 9-11. The Redskins will have to put together winning streaks, something that failed to do last year, to compete for the league title.
Quincey Deeds (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Christina Leavy (8 points, 5 rebounds) will provide solid play in the blocks. Lauren Gruber (11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds) will quarterback the club at guard.
The Redskins will have ample size with five girls 5-10 or taller. Carletti's biggest concern is team speed.
7. Northwest
• POLL POINTS: 15
• COACH: Lauri Beyer (16th season, 165-160)
• LAST YEAR: 7-15 (4-10 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G/F Julie Jared, G Sam Meister, C Cheryl Dakin
• OUTLOOK: This could be the year for Northwest to break into the upper half of the league. The Lady Knights return three starters and eight seniors, and have above-average size.
Six-foot center Cheryl Dakin (7.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and 5-11 forward Julie Jared (9.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg) are tough inside players and will provide matchup problems for the opposition. Northwest has six players at 5-10 or taller.
Samantha Meister is a returning starter at guard. She averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 steals last year. Seniors Shyra Wilson, Becky Hite and Angie Ditullio will also compete for playing time at guard.
8. Turpin
• POLL POINTS: 8
• COACH: Dan Dever (second season, 3-18)
• LAST YEAR: 3-18 (1-13)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Jennifer Hensley, F/C Anne Maue, G Angela Arnett
• OUTLOOK: The Spartans face another rebuilding season after going 3-18 one year ago. The key to success could be winning the close games. Turpin lost three games in overtime last season.
Coach Dever will rely on seniors Angela Arnett and Anne Maue to lead an otherwise young squad.
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Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division