3/11/2010 - West Side Leader
     

CUYAHOGA FALLS — The Walsh Jesuit High School girls basketball team is hoping to take what they learned last year from a heart-breaking overtime defeat in the playoffs to advance even further this year.

The next game for the 21-2 Lady Warriors was set for March 9 in the regional semifinals against Tiffin Columbian High School at Ontario High School. (Results of the game were not available at presstime). If Walsh wins, they will play in the regional final March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Ontario.

“It should be a great game,” said Walsh head coach Pete Zaccari. “They are undefeated and No. 1 in the state and we are No. 2 in the state.”

The coach said the game is a matchup of two very different styles.

“It’s an interesting contrast,” said Zaccari. “Their strength is their inside game. Our strength is our quickness and our guard play. In the playoffs, guard play is real important. I like our chances.”

Walsh advanced to the game by defeating Ravenna High School 73-42 March 6.

“It was a good win,” Zaccari said. “Our full-court press started to wear them down. They only had one loss and were a good team.”

According to the coach, the Lady Warriors have been working “very, very hard” for a chance to make up for a loss at the end of last season.

“We lost in the regional final last year in overtime, and they have been motivated to get back,” Zaccari said. “Overall, we’ve tried to increase the strength of our schedule. We’ve also improved in experience, by going through the playoffs last year and playing under pressure.”

Zaccari said the core of this year’s team is made up of five seniors: guards Kara Goliat, Ariel McNair and Cheryl Yu, and forwards Nneka Offodile and Sarah Sureck.

“They have been together four years,” the coach said. “They are team players with great athleticism, but the best part is the leadership they have given us.”

In addition, Zaccari said, the Lady Warriors have benefited from some strong play from the team’s younger players.

“We have a nice blend of leaders with the seniors and some very talented underclassmen,” he said. “We probably go 12 deep. I would not hesitate to put any of the top 12 in a game at any time.”

The underclassmen are led by sophomore point guard Rachel Theriot.

“She’s a 5-foot-11 point guard and she’s a terrific player,” the coach said. “She’s being recruited by half of the [college] teams in the top 25. She can do it all.”

Another sophomore Zaccari lauded was forward Liz Reeves.

“She has a lot of talent and a lot of upside potential,” he said. “She comes in and gives us some great minutes.”

The coach also said he has been impressed by the play of freshman guard Sandra Yu.

“She has a great deal of quickness and athletic ability,” he stated. “She’s also a terrific soccer player. She’s on the USA National Team in soccer.”

Overall, Zaccari said, the team is set up to make another playoff run next year.

“We will lose the five seniors, but we have a lot of talented young players behind them,” he said.

• Soap Box Derby draws thousands to Derby Downs
• Registration under way for annual bicycling event
• With cousin behind plate, Espino having All-Star season
• Highland Relay team awarded trophy
• Copley U10 team finishes tournament in second place
• Soap Box Derby draws thousands to Derby Downs - SSNL
• Green team finishes season No. 1