by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
Streetsboro girls basketball has managed only seven wins in its last three seasons, including a 2-19 record last year.
Thus, the Rockets welcome their third head coach in as many years as they hope to change their fortunes in the 2009-10 season.
Amanda Blazetic takes the reins of the Rockets after serving last season as the junior varsity girls coach at Cleveland Heights. She is a special education teacher in the Cleveland Heights school district. This will be her first head-coaching job.
Blazetic was a standout player and 2001 graduate of Eastlake North High School and was a two-time All-American and 2005 graduate of Notre Dame College, where she maintains the school’s all-time scoring record.
Blazetic was given job in late October and she admits the fact she got such a late start to the job hurt the program’s numbers.
“It was a really quick ‘getting-to-know-you’ period because I got the job three weeks before the start of practice,” “Last year, a lot of girls quit because of the situation. Our number took a huge hit.”
Blazetic said she has only 18 girls in the program this winter.
But she said those 18 possess a significant amount of athleticism.
She also notes there has been major progress with the team since the start of practice.
“Our team motto is ‘We go, we go together,’” Blazetic said. “I think the biggest building block is to change the mentality of these girls to get to understand they can win.”
The new coach admits her team is very young and not very big, but is “super quick” all over the court. As such, Blazetic plans to use a full-court pressure defense as the base defense for the Rockets.
One offense, Blazetic plans to use a motion offense to free up her shooters.
She notes the Rockets have improved greatly from last season, which saw Streetsboro struggle to shoot 25 percent from the floor some nights.
“Our offensive mentality will be different this year,” Blazetic said. “Some kids didn’t have the confidence to score last season. This year, I think they will come out of their shells.”
Unfortunately, the Rockets may have suffered a huge hit heading into the season.
Returning senior starter Jennifer Langford was going to be the focal point of Streetsboro’s offense, but Blazetic said Langford may have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason.
Blazetic said Langford will attempt to play this season with a brace, but her status remains uncertain.
“She was the nucleus of our offense and was the interceptor on defense,” Blazetic said. “Now, we’re going to have to move her back.”
If Langford is unable to go, look for freshman Alleeyah Norvell to get the nod at the center position.
Senior guard Shelly Johnson will see time at the three-guard spot and will provide an improving three-point shot. Blazetic calls senior guard Stephanie Lesher the team’s best defender, while senior center Merrisa Wilcox will provide depth and leadership off the bench.
Blazetic said it was a blessing to have junior point guard Shawnee Spinks back in the starting lineup.
“As a first-year coach, it makes it much easier to have your point guard coming back,” Blazetic said. “She’s one of the best ball-handlers I’ve seen in a long time. She developed her shot this year as well.”
Two holdovers from the Rockets volleyball team — junior guard Jordan Genovese and sophomore forward Rachel Kolke — each will start for Streetsboro.
Blazetic said Genovese can play anywhere from shooting guard to center, but will likely see most of her time at the three-guard spot.
“She’s very coachable,” Blazetic said.
Meanwhile, Kolke will prove to be an effective counterpoint to Langford at forward.
“She’s the best shooter on our team,” Blazetic said. “There’s not too many [forwards] in our league that will be able to handle her.”
Sophomore guard Colleen Rimmel is expected to split time at the junior varsity and varsity levels this year.
Blazetic said freshman Shannon Blondeaux “will be tremendous in two years” and may see some starting time this season at the three-guard or forward spots.
Freshman Megan Desmore will serve as a backup point guard for the Rockets.
Blazetic said she sees Mogadore and Woodridge as the two teams to beat this year in the Portage Trail Conference County Division.
Streetsboro is scheduled to open its season Nov. 30 at Warrensville Heights and then will play its home opener Dec. 2 against Crestwood. Junior varsity tip time both nights is set for 6 p.m.
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
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