2002-03 SCHEDULE

Dec. 2 -- Conneaut Valley Dec. 4 -- at Mohawk Dec. 7 -- at Laurel Dec. 9 -- Sharon Dec. 12 -- Grove City Dec. 14 -- at Lakeview Dec. 16 -- Kennedy Catholic Dec. 19 -- at Sharpsville* Dec. 27-28 -- Commodore Perry Christmas tourney Jan. 3 -- at Sharon Jan. 6 -- at Hickory Jan. 9 -- Greenville* Jan. 10 -- West Middlesex Jan. 13 -- Slippery Rock Jan. 16 -- at Reynolds* Jan. 20 -- at Grove City Jan. 23 -- Mercer* Jan. 27 -- Sharpsville* Jan. 30 -- at Greenville* Feb. 3 -- Hickory Feb. 6 -- Reynolds* Feb. 10 -- at Slippery Rock Feb. 13 -- at Mercer.*    #=MCAC-AA contest

By The Herald Sports Staff

One of the only good things about a 4-20 campaign is that there is substantial room for improvement the following year. Such is the approach of third-year Wilmington girls basketball coach Katy DeMedal.

"The only way we can go is up," an optimistic DeMedal expressed. "We've been working hard in the offseason, and we're hoping for a much better season this year."

At a glance, the Lady Hounds would certainly seem to have the necessary elements to make great strides in 2002-03. Five letterwinners return from last season, led by 6-foot senior center Kylie Mackaness, who averaged a double-double last season en route to earning second team all-Mercer County Athletic Conference laurels.

"I think Kylie is our strength," DeMedal said of her star pivot. "She's even improved a lot from last year, and she's really worked on getting stronger."

Mackaness will certainly be counted upon to lead the Lady Greyhounds, but DeMedal is encouraged that her star center will get some help this year from a veteran starting five.

Returning seniors are 5-4 point guard Elissa Marti and 5-8 guard Emily Elder, both of whom will be counted on for big contributions.

DeMedal thinks that Marti might be the key to Wilmington's success in '02-03 as they navigate a MCAC-AA circuit that promises to be highly competitive.

"If she can do well, I think we'll do well," DeMedal said of her speedy senior point guard. "She just has focus on the game and her passing. She might be the toughest person in the league to guard, but sometimes she moves too fast!"

Expected to join Mackaness, Elder and Marti in the starting lineup are juniors Brittany McFarland (5-9 guard) and Bobbie Campbell (5-7 forward). DeMedal said that she hopes to receive solid output from both players, with Campbell returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. "We're looking for something big from Campbell," DeMedal said. "And I'm going to need double-digits (scoring) from Brittany (McFarland)."

Megan McKinley, a 5-7 junior guard, and Lacey White, a 5-7 senior forward, also figure to see significant playing time for DeMedal's club, while sophomore guard Julie Reiber (5-5) and junior forward Lisa Rendos (5-5) also will come off the bench for the Lady Hounds.

Junior Lisa Baumgartner will sit out the season to tend to a knee injury she suffered during this past tennis season. DeMedal hopes that Reiber will be ready to take the family torch from her sharpshooter older sister, Jesse, whom the Lady Hounds lost this year to graduation.

"Julie's a different player than her sister in that she's more aggressive in driving (to the basket)," DeMedal said. "But she's a good shooter and she plays excellent defense -- we're hoping she'll be very strong off the bench for us."

The loss of Jesse Reiber significantly hurts Wilmington's outside shooting, but DeMedal is confident that her team's size and cohesiveness will allow the Lady Hounds to put their struggles behind them and move on to a successful '02-03 campaign.

"They've been working very hard, and we're starting to jell together as a team," DeMedal said. "We have potential if we hang together and be disciplined. I think that with some big people inside, we should dominate on the boards," she added. "Our team speed should also be a strength -- we've been working hard on our fast break, but we need to play under control."

DeMedal, who is assisted by David Wright, emphasized that despite a relatively bleak recent history, brighter days lay ahead for Wilmington High girls basketball. "We've been working with younger girls, but it takes some time to build up a program. I think this year and next year will be our best years, because we have some strong 8th-graders this year and five juniors who will be back next year." -- By Russell Adkins, sports writer.