Friday, November 23, 2001
Southern Buckeye Conference National Division
Georgetown blends youth, vets
1. Georgetown
• POLL POINTS: 37
• COACH: Bernie Cropper (6th season, 15-7; 70-40 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 15-7 (10-2 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Bethany Cahall, F Katie Chadwell
• OUTLOOK: The reigning league champions are hoping for back-to-back titles with the help of seven returning letterwinners.
Sophomores dominate the roster, but command on the court will lie with senior Bethany Cahall (11.5 points) and junior Katie Chadwell (9 points).
One of Cropper's biggest assets is the talent that can come off the bench and make clutch plays.
The Lady G-Men don't have an abundance of size, as only four players surpass the 5'6 mark. Their biggest weakness could be being outrebounded, but their experience and chemistry can keep them at the top of the league.
2. Clinton Massie
• POLL POINTS: 30
• COACH: Allen Wilkinson (8th season, 11-11; 80-71 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 11-11 (6-6)
• KEY PLAYERS: F/C Mindy Wood, F Mekenzie King, G Lindsay Ferrau
• OUTLOOK: Clinton Massie has what few SBC teams can claim: size. Seniors Mekenzie King and Mindy Wood are the tallest at 6-foot, but the team is loaded with 5-10 players.
Stopping the Falcons inside won't be easy, thanks to Wood (12.9 points, 8.5 rebounds). She'll find help in the paint from King (6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds), who played only a partial season due to knee surgery last winter.
Staying fresh defensively won't be tough with Michelle Brigano (1.4 steals) and Elizabeth Wilkinson (1.9 steals) on hand.
Coming off their first winning season in five years, the eight seniors have the experience and drive to continue their winning ways. They're making the change from the KTC to the SBC, along with Greenfield McClain, East Clinton and Blanchester.
Inconsistency could be their biggest downfall.
3. Felicity—Franklin
• POLL POINTS: 25
• COACH: Kristen Ladd (1st season)
• LAST YEAR: 16-8 (10-3 league)
• KEY PLAYERS: G Michelle Bell, G Carrie Keller, C Katie Wehrum
• OUTLOOK: A series of transitions has put the Cardinals in a different place than they expected for the 2001-2002 season. With Ladd in place just weeks before the first game, the Cardinals are regorganizing a team that lost two starters to graduation and another who transferred.
The Cardinals, who qualified for the district tournament last year with only six players, won't be struggling for depth this year.
Point guard Michelle Bell resumes her post at the helm of the offense, with help outside from guard Carrie Keller. Center Katie Wehrum will be a force inside as one of the top returning rebounders.
Six of Felicity's 10 players are sophomores or younger, but the Cardinals tend to thrive in adverse conditions.
4. East Clinton
• POLL POINTS: 21
• COACH: Robbin Luck (2nd year, 4-17; 48-78 career)
• LAST YEAR: 4-17, 2-10
• KEY PLAYERS: F Jessica Liming, G Jessica Earley, F Angel Caplinger, G Ashly Vanscoy
• OUTLOOK: SBC newcomers East Clinton will bring experience to the league, but the problem will be finding someone to take the credit.
Luck has four returning letterwinners, but few leaders on the court. That could change this year, as senior Jessica Liming vies for her 1,000th point and resumes her post as top rebounder.
Luck hopes three players can step up and score in double figures to even out the offense.
A short roster and small team will be obstacles, but a new year in a new league could bring big things for the Astros.
5. Batavia
• POLL POINTS: 19
• COACH: Ryan Stoffell (5th season, 12-9; 57-31 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 12-9
• KEY PLAYERS: F Jennifer Wehrman, G Janelle Lowe
• OUTLOOK: The loss of six seniors depleted a Batavia core that finished third in the league last year.
Stoffel will spread his offense among senior guards Janelle Lowe and Lauren Martinez, senior forward Jennifer Wehrman and senior center Brook Stout.
Speed isn't a problem, but lack of leadership and experience could trouble the Lady Dawgs as they try to regroup.
Younger players have the opportunity to come up big for Batavia this year.
6. Blanchester
• POLL POINTS: 15
• COACH: Jason Gray (2nd year, 0-21; 0-21 overall)
• LAST YEAR: 0-21 (0-12)
• KEY PLAYERS: F Kylie Burroughs, G Nicky Fey, F Stefanie Meineke, F Lyndi Mann
• OUTLOOK: The Wildcats have big plans for their return to the SBC, starting with a turnaround from a winless season.
Gray cites inexperience as the most critical obstacle in his sophomore-based team. Led by juniors Stefanie Meineke and Kelly Coleman, the remainder of the squad is primarily sophomore.
Forward Kylie Burroughs will be the driving force behind the Wildcat offense (8 points, 12 rebounds) as she tries to improve on her seven double-doubles from last year.
Nicky Fey (3 points), Meineke (2 points) and Lyndi Mann (3 points) will provide support. Transfer Kelly Coleman, a junior guard, may offer an offensive spark, while newcomers Erin Sturgill and Casey Falgner could be effective in Blanchester's transitional season.
7. Williamsburg
• POLL POINTS: 7
• COACH: Rick Healey (1st season)
• LAST YEAR: 1-20
• KEY PLAYERS: F Mallori Brown
• OUTLOOK: If there's one thing the Wiliamsburg girls have a big suppy of, it's optimism.
Coming off another losing season, winning only one game and going winless for the fifth straight year in the league, the Wildcats are ready for change.
Coach Healey has 10 varsity players hungry to prove that they're not the same team as last year. The loss of all five starters opens up the floor for the new team, which consists mainly of juniors.
While the expectation level hasn't been set yet and the coach and players are still getting to know each other, the chance to improve on last year has been the overwhelming drive.
Lack of experience will again set the Wildcats back, as will no dominant offensive or defensive players.
The true test for the Wildcats will be when they open their season at Batavia.
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Southern Buckeye Conference National Division
