By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Jennifer Ritch

10th year

100-115 career record

THE TEAM

   • Coaching Staff: Bill Ritch, assistant; Tom Pollock, JV; Ann Murphy, middle school; Mike Murphy, middle school.

   • 2022-23 Record: 15-10 overall; 4-4 Portage Trail Conference.

   • Returning Letterwinners (9): Brook McIntyre, sr.; Olivia Kidd, sr.; Savannah Thomas, sr.; Amelia Morris, jr.; Julie Tompkins, jr.; Ari Tompkins, jr.; Ava Miller, jr.; Eden Cameron, soph.; Rylee Clark, soph.

   • Letterwinners Lost (5): McKenna Whitehead, Jocelyn Lawrentz, Lauren Holler, Katie Holler, Agnese Vizzini.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Like many teams, especially small-school teams, health is the primary component that most coaches consider. On top of that, the Wildcats will look to push the pace, defend aggressively and rebound well.

“I think we need to shoot the ball more effectively from the outside and also get to the foul line as much as possible,” Ritch said.

GUARDS

Senior Brook McIntyre returns for her senior season and is one of the most electric players in the area, with her speed and tenacity.

She averaged 19.6 points per game last season, along with 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 4.4 steals. The effort earned her the PTC Player of the Year honors, along with First Team All-WTCBCA and All-Inland, as well as Special Mention All-Ohio.

She also scored her 1,000th career point.

“She is our emotional leader on the floor. She can score in many different ways and is as tough as they come.”

Ari Tompkins was Honorable Mention All-PTC last year. She averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and is a solid all-around player.

“She is a tough kid, who slashes to the basket hard and rebounds well. She will also be a defensive specialist.”

Julie Tompkins played in 14 games last year — sidelined by an ACL injury — and will see major time in the backcourt rotation this season.

Cameron and Clark, both sophomores that contributed a year ago, will be expected to expand in their roles this year.

“Eden will help us in the paint and will play both guard and forward positions at times. She is a super intelligent player. “Rylee has a great shot and is not afraid to step up and knock it down when needed. She is very quick, tough and athletic.”

Freshman Kasey Bolyard will earn some varsity minutes with her quickness and athleticism. She also has a nice shot and runs the floor well.

FORWARDS

Morris was a scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats last season, with averages of 6.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She was named Second Team All-PTC and was Honorable Mention All-District.

“She has great court vision, runs the floor well and can rebound with the best of them. She has really worked on and improved her footwork in the post.”

Kidd took a step forward last season as a junior and had an “outstanding season,” according to Ritch.

“She is very level headed, a great communicator and a team leader. She has the best hands on the team.”

Senior Savannah Thomas adds depth to the frontcourt. She is a physical and athletic defender and strong rebounder.

Ava Miller, a junior, as well as Hayli Clester, a freshman, both are expected to add depth.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Hayli Clester, fresh.; Kasey Bolyard, fresh.; McKenna Clark, fresh.; Naomi Lewis, fresh.; Destiny Ritchie, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are undersized, and we need to stay healthy. We don’t have as much depth as last year, especially in the post.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Ritch eyes Rootstown as the team to beat in the PTC.