Chagrin Falls girls basketball team has high expectations for postseason

Brian Lavrich/Sun News, December 11, 2009 11:58 a.m.

That loss to Tallmadge serves as motivation as the Tigers return all five starters, four seniors and one junior, from last year's 18-2 squad.

Chagrin Falls coach Curtis Howell said the Tigers look to defend their CVC title (they were 10-0 in conference play) and make a deep postseason run.

"I think so," Howell said. "I've been around this group for three years. Their expectations are high, as well as the coaching staff's. They've learned the system and know what to expect.

"It should be an interesting year."

The stars from last year's team were Sam Lucci and Megan Mignogna. Lucci led the Tigers with 17.8 points per game with 6.5 rebounds. Mignogna led from her point guard position and scored 11.1 points.

Lynn Vandendriessche also pulled down 6.5 rebounds per game. She will work in the post for Chagrin Falls.

Brooke Kratche and Kirsten Stevenson round out the starting lineup for Chagrin Falls. Kratche is the only junior in the starting five.

"I actually beefed up the schedule," Howell said. "One of our goals is to do something in the tournament. We've gone down with a good record the last two years in a row and we were pushed out early.

"Every year our goal is to compete for a league championship. I don't think it will be an easy thing. I expect the league to be competitive."

Howell named rival Kenston and Perry as two of the top teams in the CVC.

However, the Tigers are already facing adversity as Mignogna could miss a few games with an early-season injury. Senior Sarah Ross will start in her absence.

"We can go deeper this year," Howell said. "Sarah didn't play a lot last year, but she's really gotten after it."

With Mignogna out for a little while, Howell said the Tigers will work even harder on their patented stingy defense.

"That's what we talked about in the pre-season," Howell said. "Without our second presence, we're going to focus extra-hard on defense. We want to hold teams to 40 or 50 points. If we do that, we have a chance to win. Defense wins games for us."

Howell added that freshman Shannon Clegg will be a new factor in the post game for the Tigers.

Howell said he likes the experience of his players as well.

"I think, with older girls, first and foremost they understand that it's one game at a time," Howell said. "We've talked about goals, but they're smart enough not to look that far ahead. Our first goal is to win against NDCL (Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) on December 1. They know what it takes."

The Tigers open the season with the Lions on Tuesday at home.