By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Kevin Longanecker

9th year

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Leah Luli, varsity assistant.

2021-22 Record: 20-2 overall; 14-0 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference; sectional champions.

Returning Letterwinners (6): Abby Mazur, sr.; Rose Couts, sr.; Jewel Lilley, sr.; Kaira English, jr.; Lilly Foster, jr.; Kaylee Webb, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (0).

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Vikings put together a historic season last year, winning 20 games, going undefeated to win the MVAC championship and earning a sectional title.

And that group all comes back again this year, with the team not losing a single letterwinner.

All of that sounds good and it is, but the Vikings are still no different than any other team. They still have things to improve on if they want to have a successful season.

“We need to eliminate unforced errors and continue to grow at both ends of the floor,” Longanecker said.

The team does have good balance, though, especially offensively, with several players having the ability to score.

GUARDS

Waterloo is deep in the backcourt in both numbers and talent.

Rose Couts was the team’s leader last year in points (17.6) and was second on the team in rebounding (6.1).

“She is a very good point guard, who leads the offense and can score. She plays tremendous defense,” Longanecker said.

Couts averaged nearly three steals per game last year.

Lilly Foster is also able to run the point and has also become a nice outside shooter and on-ball defender.

Bayley English will work for minutes as a freshman. She is a good shooter and another player that plays strong defensively.

FORWARDS

Kaira English was atop many statistical leaders last year. She averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.0 steals per game, while also blocking a team-high 19 shots.

“She has a very strong offensive skill-set,” Longanecker said. “She is a very strong player off the dribble and plays tremendous defense.”

Abby Mazur is Waterloo’s plus-shooter from deep, but also makes an impact on defense and is a “phenomenal communicator,” according to Longanecker.

Other key players in the frontcourt for Waterloo include Kaylee Webb and Jewel Lilley.

“Kaylee can play multiple positions well. She has developed into a great long-distance shooter and is a strong rebounder,” Longanecker said. “Jewel is strong on the glass, is a great screener and scores well near the rim, while also being an outstanding communicator.”

WHAT MAKES THIS TEAM SPECIAL

“This team is special for who they are as individuals and especially who they are as a group. They are a very close group,” Longanecker said. “They have a great work ethic and a strong desire to excel.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Bayley English, fresh.; Kamryn Lynn, fresh.; Morgan Jones, fresh.; Miley Jones, fresh.; Samantha Ward, soph.

TEAM MOTTO

It’s not what we do, it’s how we do what we do.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We focus on working hard to control the things we can control and not be concerned about what we cannot control,” Longanecker said.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Longanecker feels his team has the chance to repeat this year, but also has a lot of respect for Springfield Local and Western Reserve.