2007-08 Outlook

2007-08 Women's Basketball Outlook -

Year number two of the Laurel Wartluft era is ready to unfold. The fiery veteran coach ran into some bumps in the road in her first year at the helm. The biggest problem was the fact that Wartluft did not come onto the scene until October. Wartluft was faced with the challenge of replacing four starters from the previous year. The result was a 5-21 season. A season that is far behind the Cavs has they prepare for 2007-08.

The 2007-08 roster has eight new faces, in one of the finest recruiting classes in years. One face that is missing is senior point guard Ingrid Brainard, who carried the Cavs through a trying year. Brainard set Walsh’s career assist mark and reached the 1,000 point plateau in her final year. She averaged 35.3 minutes per game, almost twice as many as any of her teammates. Replacing her leadership will be Wartluft’s first challenge in 2007-08.

The Cavs young roster includes one senior, no juniors, five sophomores and eight freshmen. Don’t be surprised if the opening night line-up includes multiple freshmen.

In the backcourt, the only returning face belongs to sophomore Leah Seaman (5-8, So., Louisville, OH/HS). Seaman played in 22 games as a freshman. She is a fine perimeter shooter, who is developing at the point. She is battling freshmen Ciera Burkes (5-3, Shaker Heights, OH/HS) and Ashley Ciarrochi (5-7, Akron, OH/Field). Both were highly regarded high school players. Burkes has great quickness and is progressing well, while Ciarrochi has been slowed by an ankle injury. This trio will continue to improve as they get comfortable with new teammates, giving the Cavs fine play at the point. Highly recruited Katie Berry (5-11, Fr., Cleveland, OH/Saint Joseph Academy) is expected to start at two-guard. Berry averaged 19.1 points her senior year, and led Saint Joseph in practically every category. Her size will make her tough to defend. Seaman and Ciarrochi will also play some two-guard. Freshman guard Darlene Woolf (5-7, East Rochester, OH/United) will also be in the mix.

Redshirt sophomore, and Captain Jessie Miller (5-10, Strasburg, OH/HS) should start at the three spot. Fully recovered from her freshman season ACL surgery two years ago, look for Miller to have a great year. She sees the floor like a point guard, and does just about everything well. Miller averaged 6.6 points in almost 19 minutes per game. Look for all of her numbers to improve. Senior Damoniq’e Askew (5-8, Barberton, OH/HS) and sophomore Angela Eickelman (5-9, Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) will also see action. Askew, one of the most athletic players on the team can make things happen on both ends of the floor. She averaged 5.2 rebounds in 19.6 minutes last year. Eickelman is a solid fundamental player, who can play at the three or four spot.

Wartluft feels she has plenty of talent in the post. At the four spot, redshirt sophomore Brittani Maddox (5-11, Cleveland Heights, OH/HS) and freshman Natalie Houdek (6-0, Brunswick, OH/HS) will see plenty of court time. Maddox averaged 7.4 points last year and led the Cavs in rebounding (6.3). If her play at the end of last season is any indication, Maddox may just explode onto the scene this year. Houdek earned first team honors twice in the Pioneer Conference and averaged in double figures her senior year. These two compliment each other well. First Team All-Ohio selection Cara Bedard (6-0, Randolph, OH/Waterloo) will start at the five spot. There wasn’t much Bedard did not do at Waterloo, leaving as the all-time leader in scoring, field goal percentage and blocked shots. She will be a presence on both ends of the floor. Not to be over looked are returning veteran Dianca Gordon (5-8, So., Akron, OH/Central-Hower) and freshmen Callie Brutcher (6-0, Amherst, OH/Marion Steele) and Brittany Bailey (5-11, Coshocton, OH/River View).

With only one senior, youth is definitely in the forefront for the Cavs. The quicker they adapt to each other, the better. When they do, everything will begin to fall into place. This team should be fun to watch as they mature and learn the college game. It may take some time, but when the pieces fall into place; this will be a very good college basketball team.