Friday, November 23, 2001
Greater Miami Conference
Oak Hills won't be a surprise
1. Oak Hills
• POLL POINTS: 95 (seven first-place votes from league coaches voting)
• COACH: Jan Wilking (third season, 30-15; 30-15 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 20-3 (14-2 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Danielle Dietrich, C Michelle Holmes, C Vanessa Laug
• OUTLOOK: In their first year in the Greater Miami Conference, the Lady Scots were the surprise team, going 14-2 en route to the league championship.
There's a good possiblity that Oak Hills could repeat based on the return of three starters, including point guard Danielle Dietrich, a returning first-team Enquirer All-Star. Dietrich, a senior, has committed to Ohio State to play soccer.
Post players Michelle Holmes and Vanessa Laug, both 6-foot-2, give the Lady Scots the biggest and strongest front line in the league. But team speed and experience are concerns, Wilking said.
“There are such a variety of teams in the GMC that it will be a challenge to prepare for each game,” Wilking said.
2. Fairfield
• POLL POINTS: 84 (3)
• COACH: Steve Termeer (third season, 32-26; 212-188 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 16-8 (9-7 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Wanisha Smith; G Ashley Davenport.
• OUTLOOK: Sophomore sensation Wanisha Smith was a one-player wrecking crew last season, averaging 21.6 points, 8.3 rebounds making the all-state team as a freshman. But in order to challenge for the GMC championship, several other players must step forward.
The most likely candidates are junior guards Ashley Davenport (9.1 ppg) and Karen Carty (7.0 ppg). Seniors Katie Hanck and Rachel Buczek, both returning starters, also will contribute.
Termeer cited depth along the perimeter and team defense as strengths. Concerns include a lack of size and questionable post play in general.
3. Princeton
• POLL POINTS: 81
• COACH: Jerry Stein (19th season, 268-137; 268-137 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 11-11 (9-7 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Dee Davis; C Danielle Duncan
• OUTLOOK: The Vikings return four starters, including point guard Dee Davis, a 5-foot-6 junior who scored 11.2 points 4.6 assists, 3.1 steals and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 81.8 from the free throw line.
Finding a fifth starter to go with Davis, Duncan, Katie McNamara and Jaime Skoog, is one of the keys for Princeton.
It appears senior Jill Simons has the inside track but a lack of depth poses another problem in games when the Vikings get in foul trouble.
How much Princeton has improved will be determined by how it handles crunch time. Last season the Vikings lost seven games in which they led in the fourth quarter. “We never developed a winning attitude,” Stein said.
4. Sycamore
• POLL POINTS: 72
• COACH: Paula Hayden (ninth season, 118-60; 118-60 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 11-12 (8-8 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Jessica Fitzwilson (8.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.2 spg); C Mandy Ebel (3.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg; Jenny Kimmey (11.3 ppg).
• OUTLOOK: The Aviators missed an eighth straight winning season by the slimmest of margins, finishing 11-12 while playing 14 games decided by six points or fewer.
The 1-2 guard combination of Fitzwilson and Kimmey and the strong inside play of 6-foot-1 center Ebel will be the strengths of an Aviator team loaded with experienced players. Fitzwilson is entering her fourth varsity season; Kimmey and Ebel their third.
“Jessica and Jenny have played together for years,” Hayden said. “We also have depth at the post position and look for balanced scoring.”
5. Lakota West
• POLL POINTS: 62
• COACH: Andy Fishburn (fifth season, 50-40; 50-40 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 18-4 (14-2 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Stephanie Comisar; F Andrea Carlberg.
• OUTLOOK: The Firebirds, No.4 in the final Enquirer coaches poll last season, have to replace Enquirer All-Star Cara Wright, who set school records with averages of 16.2 points and 11.2 rebounds last season. The lack of a dominant post player is the only apparent weakness of a Firebird team that has depth, balance and a strong defense.
Guard Stephanie Comisar (8.5 points, 2.7 steals) and forward Andrea Carlberg (7.5 points) will key the offense. The Firebirds also will count on contributions from Tara Swift, Kara Gostisha, Alicia Montgomery and Valarie Eifert.
Repeating as league co-champs or champions will be determined by the ability of several players to successfully assume new roles.
6. Colerain
• POLL POINTS: 61
• COACH: Nikki Kremer (first season)
• LAST YEAR: 18-5 (14-2 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Justine Mahler (10 ppg, 3.4 apg, 4 rpg, 2 spg).
• OUTLOOK: While playing at Xavier University and Mercy High School, first-year coach Nikki Kremer was a magician with the basketball, not only scoring but also passing and providing leadership.
This may be Kremer's biggest test: inheriting a Cardinal team decimated by graduation. with only Justine Mahler the only experienced player.
However, senior inside players Jen Schmidthorst and Vanesa Grace, along with guards Bryanne Light and Stacey Rice, gives Kremer experience at key positions.
The Cardinals probably won't contend for the GMC title but they could play the role of spoiler.
7. Lakota East
• POLL POINTS: 40
• COACH: Cindy Feldman (sixth season, record N/A)
• LAST YEAR: 8-14 (5-11 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Erin Lee; C Angela Estes; G Lauren Williams
• OUTLOOK: The Thunderhawks will field a young team with three sophomores a freshman and junior earning the starting positions.
“We lost two girls who decided not to play this season,” coach Cindy Feltman said. “We have no seniors but we'll field a competitive team.”
Besides Lee (11 ppg), Estes (9 ppg, 7 rpg) and Williams (7 ppg), Feltman will go with 5-foot-10 sophomore Abby Marshall and Allison Wyckoff, a 5-foot-10 freshman who has been outstanding in scrimmages.
“We hope to build on last year and win more than eight games,” Feltman said. “We don't have a lot of depth but we do have talent. I don;t know if we can beat Oak Hills, but we can play with the rest of the temas.”
8. Middletown
• POLL POINTS: 29
• COACH: John M. Rossi (first season, 0-0; 33-32 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 5-17 (1-15 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Shawna Thomas (6.3 rpg); Sara Rupp (5 ppg, 5 rpg); Brittney Shields (12.5 ppg, 7 rpg).
• OUTLOOK: After coaching Fenwick to the Mid-Miami League championship last season, coach John Rossi faces a more difficult challenge.
“It was like they used the junior varsity for the varsity games last year,” Rossi said. “We've got a good foundation and we're trying to develop good work habits and respect for each other.”
Seniors Shawna Thomas and Sara Rupp will anchor a Middie team that will rely heavily on sophomore Anne Weingartner and Amber Veitch and junior Brittnay Shields.
9. Milford
• POLL POINTS: 23
• COACH: Kristi McKenney (second season, 6-15, 6-15 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 6-15 (4-12 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: C Joanna Gardner; F Sara Clayton; G Kelly Kinder.
• OUTLOOK: Although the Eagles graduated seven seniors, optimism is high at Milford with three returning players who saw playing time in the lineup.
Joanna Gardner, Sara Clayton and Kelly Kinder are the mainstays with freshman Kara Gudmens expected to be a significant contributor.
“Our strengths are rebouding and passing,” McKenney said. “But, we lack quickness and outside shooting.”
10. Hamilton
• POLL POINTS: 19
• COACH: Jesse Weisbrod (first season)
• LAST YEAR: 5-17 (2-14 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Autumn Marshall; G Dawnjene DeLong.
• OUTLOOK: When first year coach Jesse Weisbrod played at rival Badin, she was an in-your-face type player who never backed down from an opponent.
That same gutsy spirit will be the trademark of a Big Blue team that has struggled the past few years under several coaches.
The Big Blue return two starters, Marshall and DeLong, and look for junior Megan Riegert and sophomore Jessica Benison to fill the voids left by graduation.
“We'll be very quick and disciplined,” Weisbrod said. “But, we're very small and it will take time for the kids to understand a new system.”
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Greater Miami Conference
