Friday, November 23, 2001
Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division
Knights, Panthers top choices
1. (tie) Kings
• POLL POINTS: 34 (three first-place votes from league coaches)
• COACH: Katie Moeller (2nd season, 19-4)
• LAST YEAR: 19-4 (14-0 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Kellie McClung, F Lauren Fox
• OUTLOOK: The Knights are in search of their second straight league title. Kings went 14-0 in the league last season but lost 40 points per game to graduation.
Kellie McClung (6.2 points, 4 steals, 5 rebounds), Lauren Fox (6.2 points, 3.2 assists) and Lindsey Oliva all return from last season and will form the core of a young team. Newcomers Megan Gallo and Keely Bryant will be called upon the start and the Knights will get an extra boost in January when 6-foot center Jenna Algie returns from a knee injury.
Moeller's biggest concerns are lack of height and depth. Speed will be the emphasis, but with limited numbers the Knights may not be able to sustain the fast-paced offensive style they prefer.
1. (tie) Little Miami
• POLL POINTS: 34 (1)
• COACH: Mark Short (2nd season, 17-6)
• LAST YEAR: 17-6 (11-3 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Stephanie Journey, C Mary Werden, F Ashley Balser
• OUTLOOK: The biggest task is replacing Courtney Balser, Little Miami's all-time leading scorer. The Panthers will rely on a trio of players to pick up the slack.
Journey (6 ppg, 5 rpg), Werden (5 ppg, 4 rpg) and Courtney's sister, Ashley Balser (2 ppg), will need to step up their game for the Little Miami to remain competitive. The trio will pose serious matchup problems to many of their league opponents. Each player is at least 5-10; center Werden is 6-foot.
The Panthers have an abundance of size but lack in speed. Seniors Amber McNess and Kristeen McDaniels will run the offense from the guard position.
3. Goshen
• POLL POINTS: 28 (1)
• COACH: Josh Terwilleger (first year)
• LAST YEAR: 17-3 (11-3)
• KEY PLAYERS: F/C Kelley Phillips, F Kelly Pels
• OUTLOOK: The Warriors will have to rebound from last years second place team. Senior Kelley Phillips is the only returning starter. Phillips, a two-time all league selection, will be the team leader. She averaged 10 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks per game.
Talented newcomers to the starting lineup will help Goshen stay in the top half of the league. Seniors Kelly Pels and Kelly Murphy will see a major increase in playing time. A strong crop of sophomores will also be called on to contribute.
4. Loveland
• POLL POINTS: 27 (1)
• COACH: Wray Jean Conner (4th season, 26-36)
• LAST YEAR: 6-15 (6-8)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Nicole Wilson, G Alison Stier
• OUTLOOK: The Tigers return six varsity letter winners led by Nicole Wilson. Wilson earned all-league honors last year after averaging 12 points and four rebounds per game. She will again be the focus of a quick and scrappy team.
Loveland will rely on team speed to make up for average height. Sophomore Jessica Jackson, a 5-foot-10 transfer from Mt. Notre Dame, will provide an added inside scoring threat.
5. Wilmington
• POLL POINTS: 23
• COACH: Dauna Armstrong (8th season)
• LAST YEAR: 9-12 (6-8)
• KEY PLAYERS: PG Crystal Davis, C Adrienne Schaad, G Abby Lansing
• OUTLOOK: Wilmington will rely on a strong group of guards to lead the team. Coach Armstrong feels she has five guards who can make in impact.
Point guard Crystal Davis will lead the club with Abby Lansing, Stephanie Dell, Tifaney Smith and Samantha Hinton all splitting time. The biggest question is how to overcome a lack of height. Senior Donna Roberts is the teams tallest player at 5-foot-10 and will lead the inside play.
6. Norwood
• POLL POINTS: 13
• COACH: Ken Yablonsky (5th year, 10-74)
• LAST YEAR: 1-20 (1-13)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Jessica Evans, G Dawn McCarthy, C Karisa Collins
• OUTLOOK: The biggest task for coach Yablonsky will be making his team beleive they can win. The Indians had one of their worst years last season and have had five straight losing season.
The key to success will be getting off to a good start. With six seniors returning, three of which are four year players, the future looks brighter.
Emily Kassem, Evans and McCarthy will lead the team with a combined 12 years of varsity experience.
Norwood has better size than is past years but speed will be the focal point of the team. Excellent overall team speed will allow the Indians to press more on defense. Collins and Kassem will be featured in the post on offense.
7. Ross
• POLL POINTS: 9
• COACH: Ray Lyttle (second season, 10-12; 88-98 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 10-12 (5-7 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: 4-15 (3-11)
• OUTLOOK: N/A
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Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division
