By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Joe Leonard

5th year

52-32 career record

THE TEAM

League: Portage Trail Conference.

Coaching Staff: Brian Layton, assistant; Thano Kapolis, assistant; Angela Gibson, JV; Mike Fillmore, JV.

2023-24 Record: 22-3 overall; 8-0 PTC.

Returning Letterwinners (6): Addy Germann, sr.; Kelsey Bittecuffer, sr.; Nadia Lough, sr.; Sasha Nicholas, sr.; Colbie Curall, jr.; Elliott Smallfield, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (4): Brooklynn McIntyre, Melanie Plecko, Abby White, Porter Smith.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Rovers celebrated a special undefeated championship season last year.

The title completed a Portage Trail Conference three-peat for the program.

This year’s group has talent, but the shape of the team will be different with the graduation of four major players and senior standout Nadia Lough currently not available as she continues to recover from knee surgery from a summer injury.

Rootstown can still win games, though, make no mistake about that, with the team’s patented high-pressure, full-court defense spotlighting that opportunity.

“We are very quick and aggressive, and we plan to play to our strengths,” head coach Joe Leonard said. “Our 3-point shooting and shooting overall has gotten better, so we will look to continue that trend.”

GUARDS

The Rovers’ backcourt will come at opponents in waves.

Curall leads the way as the top returning scorer after averaging 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals per game a year ago.

“She is long and athletic and is only getting better. Her outside shot is improving, and she finishes well at the basket.”

Germann is a quick-shooting guard with great range. She averaged 6 points last year.

“She has a shooter’s mentality, and she is very energetic on defense. She really gets us going in the press.”

Bittecuffer also averaged 6 points last year and is described by Leonard as a pure shooter.

“She is playing with a ton of confidence. Defensively, she is always hustling and has a high basketball IQ.”

Nichols is another athletic and quick guard, who is great in the open floor and has the ability to get to the rim on dribble-drives.

“Her defense is next level, and we are expecting a breakout year for her.”

Cloe Bengston, who was a standout on the JV team last year, is ready to make an impact on the varsity roster.

“She really improved her game and has grown as a player. She can finish at the rim and has a nice touch from the outside. She has put in a ton of work this off-season, and we are expecting big things from her.”

Jamie Kopac also adds depth, with her shooting and finishing at the rim.

“Her confidence is really growing. She is a smart basketball player.”

FORWARDS

Lough enters the season with 942 career points, but will not be available to the team during the early part of the season after injuring her knee over the summer. She averaged a double-double last year at 13 points and 11 rebounds per game, and she has been a starter since her freshman season.

“She is a dominant force inside and has really improved her shooting. She is a load on the fastbreak and finishes as well as anyone in the area. Her rebounding is a constant, along with her leadership.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Elliott Smallfield, soph.; Mia Damicone, soph.; Bailey Kidd, soph.; Sophia Smith, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are an undersized team who must rebound the ball each and every night to be successful.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Leonard expects a difficult league road ahead, but feels his team has the ability to strive for a fourth consecutive PTC championship.