By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Craig Foreman, 20th year, 192-232 career record.

Coaching Staff: Kate Swango, Jeremy Bish, Jaclyn Mahoney.

2024-25 Record: 13-11 overall, 6-8 Suburban League American Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (6): Mahlia Friedman, Brooklynn Frank, Grace Schoenberger, Maggie Pazderak, Claire VanDamme, Lindsay Wills.

Letterwinners Lost (4): Julia Nash, Danica Banks, Brooklynn Wade, Pam Ntalah.

League: Suburban League American Conference.

TEAM OUTLOOK

Getting up and down the floor in transition, then seeking and exploiting matchup advantages in the half court will be the Rough Riders’ offensive identity this season.

Defensively, Foreman wants his group to apply pressure through man-to-man defense.

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“We need to stay healthy and play hard, smart and together,” head coach Craig Foreman said.

GUARDS

Mahlia Friedman emerged as a key contributor last season and returns as a senior captain this season.

“Mahlia is our best overall defender,” Foreman said. “She is a gifted athlete, who has worked hard to develop her overall game.”

Brooklynn Frank, a junior, was also voted a team captain.

“She is a leader on and off the floor and someone who does all of the little things.”

Sophomore Grace Schoenberger earned a starting role a year ago and is the team’s top outside shooting threat. She buried a team-high 29 3-pointers in 2024-25.

“Grace is a pure shooter, who is coming into her own as a point guard.”

Another sophomore, Maggie Pazderak, will also be in the rotation.

“She is quick and is a solid ball-handler, with a high passing IQ.”

Sarah Kahn, who is part of a “gifted sophomore class,” according to Foreman, will bring additional depth to the backcourt.

FORWARDS

The Rough Riders have a lot of depth in the frontcourt and it all begins with 6-foot-3 post player Claire VanDamme, who recently made her college commitment to Northern Michigan University.

VanDamme has worked hard to become a scorer at all three levels and possesses an impressive skill-set for a post player.

“Claire will be a huge force for us this year, not just in the league, but Northeast Ohio.”

Last year as a junior, VanDamme averaged 12.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Lindsay Wills, a senior team captain, can do a little bit of everything on the court.

“She is one of the best athletes on the team. Her speed and length cause havoc on the court.”

Junior Sophia Vorhauer will expand her role this season as a backup to VanDamme.

“Sophia put in a ton of work in the off-season and it shows.”

Also providing depth to the frontcourt rotation are juniors Lexi Schiavoni and Audrey Haines, along with sophomores Ella Chambers and Ava Elliott.

“Lexi can play multiple positions; Audrey is a newcomer who is a gifted defender and shooter; Ella brings energy and enthusiasm; and Ava saw a ton of time last year as a solid defender and athletic scoring wing.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Grace Schoenberger, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We have many newcomers, who are new to full-time varsity minutes.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Foreman believes that his Rough Riders have enough talent to compete for the Suburban League American Conference title.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Rough Riders’ coaching staff has been as consistent as any in the area over the last two decades, with assistant coaches Kate Swango, Jeremy Bish and Jaclyn Mahoney having been together for all of Foreman’s 20 years.