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Sweet Home girls optimistic about upcoming season
LaRoach returns seven players, including several who have three years of varsity experience. He also feels he can use up to ten players in a game, something he hasn't been able to do in his four years as head coach. "There's more depth this year," said LaRoach. "Many girls have played in my system for multiple years." No starters have been named as of press time but LaRoach returns three of five starters. They are junior Ellie Allen and seniors Amanda Cannizzo and Coretta Davis. A returning ECIC Division I First Team all-star, Allen can run the point or play shooting guard or small forward. The 5-foot-9 Allen averaged almost 16 points per game and eight rebounds last year. It's her fourth year on the team. "She does so much for us," said LaRoach. "She can put the ball on the floor or take girls off the dribble and pull up for a 19-footer." "She's becoming more of a well-rounded player," he added. "She's gone to camps in the offseason and played in summer leagues and AAU. Her leadership on and off the court is starting to come through." Allen is a tri-captain with senior forwards, Davis and Nadia Durno. Cannizzo, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at Canisius College, enters her fourth year on the varsity basketball team. When Allen is on the floor, the 5-foot-4 Cannizzo will split playing time at guard with 5-foot-4 senior Gleniesha Ferby. LaRoach said Cannizzo has good basketball IQ; Ferby has quick feet and is able to play good on-the-ball defense against other team's guards. It's Ferby's third year on varsity. Davis, a 5-foot-8 guard/small forward, averaged eight points and nine rebounds last year. LaRoach said Davis and senior 5-foot-9 forward Laura Nerber can rebound as well as put the ball on the floor and spot up for medium range jump shots. Nerber primarily came off the bench last year but started some games in February. Durno, 5-foot-7, will try to fill the void inside left by 6-foot-2 Kiaya Burks (ECIC I second team). Durno split time inside at forward and averaged seven rebounds last year. "She's not as tall as Kiaya but is still strong on the block," said LaRoach. "She's physical enough where she is able to rebound and post up around the rim." The team's other senior is 5-foot-6 forward Lauren West. Junior 5-foot-4 guard Rachel Cimerman and sophomore 5-foot-10 forward Bianca Smiley make the jump from JV. "I expect them to fill a role," said LaRoach. "They will contribute this year." LaRoach thinks defense will be a cornerstone for his team this year. "We're continuing to get better at it," he said. "We should be able to get easy offense because of our defense." Because of enrollment, Sweet Home has moved from ECIC I to ECIC II although they will be a AA school for sectionals. LaRoach sees Iroquois and Hamburg as teams to beat in ECIC II. "I think we have the potential," said LaRoach. "We can't expect to show up on game day and expect things to be handed to us. We need to continue to get after it day in and day out." Sweet Home finished 8-14 last year. They lost to Lancaster in the Section VI Class AA quarterfinals.
Sweet Home 2007 Schedule 11-28 Sweet Home Tip-off Tourn. Grand Island................. 7:30 p.m. 11-30 Sweet Home Tip-off Tourn. Sacred Heart or Iroquois, 6 p.m. (consolation); 7:30 p.m. (final) |
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