Lady Panthers hope to peak at right time

Sweet Home senior Ellie Allen looks for an open player during a scrimmage against West Seneca West on Friday at Sweet Home. Allen, an All-Western New York third-team and All-ECIC first-team selection, was the All-Bee girls MVP last year and led Sweet Home in scoring. Photo by Amy Krakowiak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com Sweet Home was one of the best regular-season girls basketball teams in the area last year — 12-0 in ECIC Division II, 16-4 overall — but come sectionals, the Lady Panthers received a quarterfinal exit in the Class AA Tournament.

Sweet Home coach Matt LaRoach is hoping his team can put the pieces of the puzzle together at the right time this season.

"We sat down as a team and talked about team goals and our vision for the year," said LaRoach. "We want to care of our league but understand that we need to be peaking at the end of February (beginning of sectionals). The girls need to understand that the work they put in between now and the end of the season will prepare us for sectionals. That's when our job really begins."

LaRoach said to avoid his team peaking too early, they have to strive to get better every day, whether it's in practice or a game.

"Whether it's an individual, group, or team drill, we have to make practices more competitive," said LaRoach.

LaRoach graduates six players and returns another six this winter, led by his top two returning scorers, 5-foot-10 senior guard Ellie Allen (17.9 points per game) and 6-0 junior forward Bianca Smiley (9.9 points).

Allen, a member of the varsity team since the eighth-grade, led Sweet Home in scoring in 15 out of 21 games. She's 24 points shy of 1,000 for her career.

She also averaged 7.3 rebounds, shot 45.6 percent from the floor, handed out 82 assists to 42 turnovers, and took five defensive charges.

Allen, an All-Western New York third-team and All-ECIC first-team selection, was the All-Bee girls MVP last year.

Allen primarily plays at point guard but can also play at the two or three spot.

"She's got the full package," said LaRoach. "Her offensive skills are there which gives her the ability to play point guard, shooting guard or small forward. She's also such a great leader. If you came to one of our practices or games, you're going to hear Ellie Allen. It's almost like having another coach in the gym."

Allen, a captain for the third year, is tri-captains with Smiley and senior guard Rachel Cimerman.

Smiley, a returning ECIC Division II first-team all-star, also averaged 8.3 rebounds. She can play at small or power forward.

"I love her athleticism and drive to get better," said LaRoach. "She can take the ball to the basket and her ability to rebound the basketball and flat out-jump other players in the gym is amazing, sometimes eye-opening."

Cimerman is a returning player who LaRoach said can play the point or at the shooting guard position well.

"She's a good shooter, leader and defender on the court," said LaRoach.

LaRoach also expects senior Jericah Harris, another returning player, to contribute more this season.

Junior forward Raylin Brooks, who was brought up from JV at the end of last season, is starting to show a lot of progress in her footwork and post moves, said LaRoach.

Some new players to the team who LaRoach expects will see playing time are junior forwards Briana Boyette and Courtney Smith and junior guard Morgan Ward.

In scrimmages this season, LaRoach has liked the team's ability to run the floor but sees a need to improve its defense and rebounding.

"Those are two areas I want our team to be about," said LaRoach. "If we're going to win games, we're going to have to do it on that end."

Sweet Home opened its season against Sacred Heart in the opening round of the Al and Rose Pastor Tournament at Daemen College. The winner or loser will play either Pioneer or Holy Angels at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday or Friday at Daemen.

The Lady Panthers also have non-league games against Frontier, Kenmore East, Lancaster and Clarence in addition to competing in the Gates Chili Tournament over winter recess.

"I hope the strength of our non-league schedule will put us in a good position," said LaRoach.

LaRoach said he is cautiously optimistic in ECIC II and feels Williamsville South and Williamsville East are his team's toughest competition.

"If we come in and work hard and play competitively, we'll be in the hunt in our division," said LaRoach. Sweet Home 2008-09 Schedule 12-4 or 12-5 Al Pastor Tournament vs. Pioneer or Holy Angels (Daemen College)................ 5:15 p.m. 12-9 Williamsville South 7:30 p.m. 12-12 at Iroquois.......... 6:30 p.m. 12-16 Frontier............... 7:30 p.m. 12-18 Williamsville East 7:30 p.m. 12-22 at West Seneca East 6:30 p.m. 12-29 Gates Chili Holiday Tournament — Gates Chili ......... 6 p.m. 12-30 Gates Chili Holiday Tournament — Edison or Churchville Chili ........................... 2 or 6 p.m. 1-6 Lake Shore............. 7:30 p.m. 1-8 at Starpoint ................. 7 p.m. 1-14 Starpoint............... 7:30 p.m. 1-21 at Williamsville South . 7:30 p.m. 1-23 Iroquois................. 7:30 p.m. 1-27 at Kenmore East ...... 7 p.m. 1-30 at Lancaster ......... 7:30 p.m. 2-3 at Williamsville East 7:30 p.m. 2-6 West Seneca East.. 7:30 p.m. 2-12 at Lake Shore ...... 6:30 p.m. 2-17 Clarence ............... 7:30 p.m.