By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Carl Singer

10th year

124-94 career record

THE TEAM

League: Metro Athletic Conference.

Coaching Staff: Ira Campbell, Bryan Bedford, Scott Clark.

2023-24 Record: 23-5 overall, 13-1 MAC, district champions, regional runner-up.

Returning Letterwinners (7): Naomi Benson, sr.; Sydney Abbuhl, sr.; Raegan Hendon, sr.; Carlee Bedford, jr.; Olivia Johnson-Wilson, jr.; Ava Bodovetz, jr.; Claire Campbell, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (5): Ella Kassan, Maddy Hajec, Cara Tiller, Maiya Taylor, Kaleigh Lilly.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Rockets celebrated history last year in what became a special and magical season.

The team won its first-ever league championship, a district title and advanced all the way to the regional final before the curtain fell.

While the group loses five players to graduation, they welcome back a bevy of talent, including All-Ohio forward Naomi Benson, who just recently signed her National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Illinois.

If there is one area of weakness, though, it would be the team’s depth, which appears like it may be weaker than a year ago.

“Every team can say staying healthy is important, but for us that will be even more important, as we don’t have as much depth as we had last year,” veteran coach Carl Singer said. “Our conditioning and taking care of ourselves off the court will be very important for our success.”

Offensively, the team returns the bulk of its scoring and athleticism.

“We can run the floor well, so we will use that to our advantage to push the ball up the floor. As long as we are taking care of the basketball and consistently taking the shots we want, then scoring should not be an issue for us.”

GUARDS

The starting backcourt returns in Abbuhl (6 ppg) at shooting guard and Johnson-Wilson (5.5 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.7 spg) at point guard.

“Sydney has all of the skills to take over a game on the offensive end. She can score at every level and when she is shooting the ball well, it is really hard to stop.

“Olivia is the engine of our team. She is so athletic, which allows us to put the ball in her hands and let her push it down the floor to make plays for us. In my opinion, she is one of the best defenders in the state and she is relentless with her defensive pressure.”

Hendon, a senior, has proven she is ready to step into a bigger role.

“She had a great off-season, showing that she can contribute on both ends of the floor.”

Junior Claire Campbell, sophomore Carman Marcini and sophomore Olivia DeToro are three others that Singer said he expects will contribute at the varsity level this season.

FORWARDS

Benson’s historic career is on pace to finish as the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

She led the team in nearly every single statistical category a year ago and was First Team All-Ohio with averages of 16.2 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

“Naomi just keeps getting better and better every year and the syear will be no different. She is not only one of the best players in the state, but in the country.”

Bedford has started since her freshman season. Now a junior, she will look to continue on her trajectory that took even another step forward during the team’s tournament run.

“Carlee continued her growth this off-season, playing against some of the toughest competition in Ohio. Her size, athleticism and skill allow her to play guard or forward and make her an extremely tough matchup.”

Bedford averaged 7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last year.

Bodovetz appears ready for a breakout season. The junior’s role on varsity will expand and has the skill-set to play multiple positions.

“She is one of the toughest kids in the program and doesn’t back down from anybody. She does everything on the court well and will do whatever it takes to help the team win.”

Sophomores Ava Scissioni and Sara Koyan will also be key players pushing for varsity time this season.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Carman Marcini, soph.; Olivia DeToro, soph.; Ava Scisciani, soph.; Sara Koyan, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We will not have as much depth as we did last year. Not many teams are lucky enough to have four seniors who are all capable players coming off the bench like we did last year. This season, we have a lot of varsity experience with our four returning starters, but we will need several others to step up.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

A year ago, it was Norton and Streetsboro which tied for the MAC title. Each team had one division loss, splitting the season series with each other.

Singer believes his team, as well as the Panthers, will once again be battling for the league championship.