2002-03 SCHEDULE

Nov. 30 -- Rayen Dec. 2 -- Greenville Dec. 3 -- Meadville Dec. 9 -- at Wilmington Dec. 12 -- Mercer Dec. 14 -- at Sharpsville Dec. 17 -- at Oil City Dec. 18 -- at New Castle Dec. 19 -- at Greenville Dec. 26-27 -- at Brookfield tourney Jan. 3 -- Wilmington Jan. 7 -- at Meadville Jan. 9 -- at Hickory* Jan. 13 -- Reynolds Jan. 16 -- Slippery Rock* Jan. 20 -- at Rayen Jan. 21 -- at Warren-JFK Jan. 23 -- Grove City* Jan. 30 -- Hickory* Feb. 3 -- at Mercer Feb. 6 -- at Slippery Rock* Feb. 10 -- at Kennedy Catholic Feb. 13 -- at Grove City.*    #=MCAC-AAA contest

By The Herald Sports Staff

When most coaches talk about the need for their team to overcome large obstacles, they're often just trying to wax philosophical about weaknesses or difficult opponents that must be conquered. But when Sharon High girls basketball coach Maureen O'Brien says it, she couldn't be any more literal.

Mostly due to the loss of 6-foot-1 center Julie Bell (West Virginia Wesleyan) to graduation, this year's edition of the Lady Tigers has a noticeable lack of height on the frontline, including the absence of a true post player in the starting lineup. At 5-10, senior standout Nicole Valentino is the team's tallest starter, but is more of an outside player.

The Lady Tigers also have a new coach. O'Brien, whose resumé includes a head coaching stint at Vienna-Mathews (Ohio) High among her 15 years of experience. O'Brien takes over the reins after Mary Jo Staunch left the program to spend more time with family following a nine years at the helm. O'Brien will be assisted by Chris Wiley and Don Gibson in her first year on Sharon's bench.

Led by Valentino, O'Brien hopes her core of experienced perimeter players is savvy and speedy enough to overcome the size deficiency.

"Height is a major factor, but we're quick. Our girls are smart, and they work hard -- hopefully we'll put a few surprises in the 'W' column," O'Brien said.

O'Brien tabbed a nucleus of seniors -- starting guards Gina Fragle (5-5), Morgan Bradley (5-6) and Valentino, along with reserve Charene Jackson (5-6) -- as the key to her club's fortunes for the 2002-03 campaign.

"Our seniors our stepping up and taking a leadership role, and I'm really happy what they're providing at this point," O'Brien said of her veterans. "They are very focused and dedicated," O'Brien said. "And between them we're hoping to achieve our goals."

Those goals include a playoff appearance, but some stiff MCAC Class AAA competition awaits Sharon in addition to a difficult non-league schedule.

"We've got some really strong out-of-league games (Meadville, Franklin, Rayen), but hopefully we'll pick up some wins in there," O'Brien expressed, adding that league rival Hickory is likely to provide stiff resistance in conference play. "They are really strong and they have a lot of height this year, and they have a great coach (Jeanette Whitehead)."

O'Brien, herself standing 5-4, also thinks that her own lack of height will provide her with an edge as she attempts to tailor her coaching style to her undersized group's strengths.

"Usually, it's the other way around, but this year it's (my height) an advantage for once!" a laughing O'Brien related before pointing out that she will often employ a helping man-to-man defense and a high-octane offensive attack to combat taller opponents.

"We're going to be a 'run and gun' team this year," O'Brien explained. "Nicole is a great outside shooter, Gina Fragle can hit the '3', and most of the girls have improved their outside shooting."

A pair of junior backcourt players, 5-4 Shelley Goodpastor and 5-5 Ali Szabo join O'Brien's senior triumvirate in the starting lineup, and 5-6 sophomore guard Kelsey Gavin will see playing time. But if the Lady Tigers are to live out their postseason dreams, they will need sizeable contributions from a pair of forwards off the bench -- 5-9 freshman Janine McDonald and 5-11 junior Michele Bianco.

O'Brien is confident that frosh McDonald is ready to be a steady contributor in the paint. "We're going to look to her for rebounding and some inside post play," O'Brien revealed. "I think she'll be up to the task."

Sophomores Liz Leary (5-8 forward), Courtney Chavara (5-5 guard) and Nicole Morocco (5-6 guard-forward) will provide depth. -- By Russell Adkins, Herald sports writer