GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Not much was expected from last year’s young, undersized St. Cloud team. But all the Lady Bulldogs did was record a 20-win season and advance to the Class 6A regional finals.
That sophomoredominated team is now a year more mature, and Coach Chad Ansbaugh says they coming back hungrier and more dedicated.
“This is a unique group of kids, we won a lot of close games and they know that if the ball had bounced in a different direction, things might have been very different. Because of that, over-confidence is not a concern,” he said. “This is a really strong-minded group, who told me that they want to go at least one step further this year and are willing to put in the work to get there.”
Ansbaugh, who enters his 13th year as head coach, calls this team perhaps his most-talented Bulldog one from top to bottom. Leading scorer Emily Lockey (15 points-per-game) returns, but balance will be the key as fellow sophomores Danzy Mantilla (9.5 ppg), Haley Collins (7.1 ppg) and Jaelyn Bonilla (6.4 ppg) are all vital parts of St. Cloud’s offense.
Ansbaugh called sophomore Savannah Kroener “the player that has shown the most improvement” in the offseason, and she is expected to play a much bigger role this season. Other returning players who should see significant time are Vanessa Vohs, Kennedi Johnson, Danni Mann and Arianna Viera. Promising newcomers Karyna Rivera and Sanaa Charles bring additional athleticism to the St. Cloud roster.
St. Cloud did not ease into the schedule, opening with a 63-50 win Monday night over Lake Gibson – a team they defeated 55-53 in the regional semifinals a year ago. A Nov. 30 game with Lake Highland Prep, the 2021-22 Class 4A Champion, looms in the near future.
“The vast majority of the time, you learn more about your team from playing great teams than you do by scheduling wins,” Ansbaugh said. “By December, we certainly will know a lot about this team and what we will have to work with.”
Just like the Bulldogs, Gateway also fell just one game — one basket — short of its first Final Four appearance ever in a heartbreaking 37-35 loss to Bishop Moore in the Region 5A-2 finals.
Although the Panthers lost significant senior leadership in Neri Moreau (9.4 ppg) and Orange Belt Conference Girls Athlete of the Year Paige Alise (4.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Gateway returns a pair of big guns in senior Vanessa Diaz (17.0 ppg) and junior Malayna Stephenson (14.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), along with forward Karli Cole.
Newcomers will also play a key role. Coach Justin Marino’s daughter Alyssa Marino and Evana Rivera, are both freshman who led Neptune Middle School to a county championship last year and are projected starters.
“We only have nine players on our roster, but they are close, tight-knit group that play extremely well together. Eight of the nine played for me at Neptune Middle and have played together for multiple years,” Marino said. “Although we advanced to a regional final our main goal this year is to win that elusive first district title.”
Other county capsules:
Celebration: New Coach Bryan Gaugler returns Eileen Bolejack (Jr., 6.1 ppg), Valerina Maritinez (Jr., 3.7 ppg) from last year’s 6-13 team.
Harmony: Senior Kaitlyn Davis (7.8 ppg) returns, but a youth movement is nigh; Coach Paul Strauch said four would-be starters for the upcoming season moved away. Ellah Husbands (Fr.), Faith Wener (Jr.) are top newcomers among a solid group of young players to work with. “We only beat one county opponent last year and I believe that will change. By the time the OBC Tournament rolls around, I would hope we will be viewed as formidable opponent not as an easy win.”
Liberty: Amarara Mendez (Jr.) is the top returner from a two-win squad. A lack of depth hurt the Chargers last season, but Coach Kennesshia Williams enters the upcoming season with 15 players on the roster.
Osceola: Coach Ra’Shawna Sippio, a member of the Kowboys’ 2004 Final Four powerhouse, is tasked with taking over a program in disarray and restoring it. Aysia Stokes (Sr.), Nicole Caraballo (Sr.), Arriana Rodriguez (Soph.) are the top returners; freshmen Zebrielle Canaday and Kayden Gause are in line to be starters.
Poinciana: Senior team leaders and top scorers Ivanis Pimental and Samara Calso graduated, taking 19 points per game with them. Head coach Eva Johnson is faced with a rebuilding project this season. She will rely on her daughter Eva (Sr., 7.3 ppg) to provide the senior leadership for this season.
Tohopekaliga: Head Coach: Jen Farrell; 202021 Record: 9-9; Leading Returning Scorers: Top Newcomers: Angela Alvarado (Fr.), Kenya Allen (Fr.). The Scoop: After going just 5-54 in their first three seasons, Coach Jen Farrell’s team was the biggest surprise last season when they finished with a 9-9 record and the first .500 season in school history. With its two top scorers (Sofia Delgado, Jr., 8.8 ppg), Makenna Day (Soph., 10.1 ppg).) returning, Farrell says she hopes to improve on that record as she continues to build her program.
