SEASON PREVIEW: SHARPSVILLE
Last season, the Sharpsville Blue Darlings were able to sneak up on their MCAC Class A foes, erasing painful memories of a 4-63 three-year run but more importantly putting together a playoff run in which the Darlings advanced to the first round of the PIAA playoffs under the guidance of first-year coach Jeff Hanley. Hanley, who finished his first campaign with a 13-13 ledger, is well aware that his squad won't be taking anyone by surprise after its 2001-02 success. "We were able to sneak up on some teams last year, but that's going be a lot tougher to do now," Hanley admitted, adding that his Blue Darlings are likely to face stiff competition as they move up in classification this year. "Moving up to AA, we really are going to have our work cut out for us," Hanley related, noting the strength of conference foes Greenville, Mercer and Reynolds in particular. The Blue Darlings certainly aren't without weapons of their own, however, and promise to put a formidable veteran squad on the hardwood. Their season kicked off Thanksgiving weekend at the Grove City Tournament. Hanley has a number of returning contributors from last year's playoff team, paced by 5-foot-5 junior sharpshooter Sarah Gill, who bucketed 287 points (15.2) and 56 trifectas while dishing out 59 assists (2.7) in 2001-02, all team highs. The Blue Darlings are a veteran club, featuring a starting lineup that will be comprised entirely of upperclassmen. "We have good senior leadership and experience," Hanley explained. "So that's going to be our biggest advantage." Gill returns to her point guard spot and will be joined by at least three senior starters: 5-7 forward Kenzie Develli, 5-10 center Josie Cattron (5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and 5-9 forward Erika Black (6.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg). "Sarah Gill was our leading scorer last year (13.0 ppg), and with Erika Black and Josie Cattron, we have three players who can score a lot of points for us. Kenzie Develli is probably our most versatile player -- she plays really good defense and good offense -- she's strong and quick enough to play a couple different positions." Competition for the two-guard spot is ongoing between 5-7 senior Maggie Pisarcik and 5-7 junior Shana Wilson. The various talents of the duo give Hanley flexibility at the position. "Maggie's a senior and a pretty good defensive player," Hanley said. "And Shana was our top JV scorer last year, and she is a nice outside shooter." Hanley, who is assisted by Kerry Kohut, identified 5-5 senior guard Alicia Mastrian as a top reserve. Filling out the varsity are a junior, 5-8 forward Aleah Karsonovich, and a trio of sophomores -- 5-7 forward Nicole Montone, 5-6 forward Kali Roberts and 5-7 forward Erica Gaines. Hanley said that the Blue Darlings will try to open things up on offense, pushing the ball up the floor and employing an inside-outside game to utilize the post play of Black and Cattron and the marksmanship of Gill. The offensive and defensive sets will also be more complex in 2002-03 as Hanley settles in at the helm in his second season. "Last year at this time, we had only had two offenses and two defenses in our system," Hanley said. "Being the second year in the program has really helped our development, and we're way ahead of where we were a year ago." Hanley is hoping that the balanced post-perimeter attack can propel his team into postseason play for a second year in a row, a prospect that not long ago would have been unheard of for Sharpsville girls basketball. "We just want to compete every night, and it's going to be tough in AA," Hanley said. "Of course, our main goal is to get in the playoffs again."
-- By Russell Adkins, Herald Sports Writer
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