Blue Streaks, Warriors to battle in key CVC Lake Division game on Friday
Jan. 3—The New Year kicks off with a battle of unbeaten girls basketball teams on Friday night.
Madison goes to Edgewood in a key Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division battle.
Both teams are 9-0 overall, 5-0 in the conference. Madison, however, still has to play at North today.
"We hope to see a big crowd for one of the biggest games of the season thus far," Edgewood coach Randy Vencill said. "The girls deserve to be supported and we look forward to playing in front of a nice crowd."
Madison coach Heather Reho is looking forward to the atmosphere.
"We are excited," she said. "We have had big crowds before, and love the energy."
The Blue Streaks opened the season with a 54-53 win over Chagrin Falls. They have also won close wins against Geneva 52-48, Perry 37-33 and Mayfield 44-42.
"We are playing tough defense right now," Reho said. "Every athlete is contributing in some sort of way. We are playing as a team."
Senior Claire Wakim and junior Zoey Deligianis are leading the way on offense. Deligianis is averaging 21 points, while Wakim is at 18, as of Tuesday.
Deligianis tallied 37 points and Wakim added 27 in a Blue Streaks' 74-55 win over Conneaut in December.
"They are both very talented players, and it has been a total team effort for them," Vencill said. "Madison is really scoring this season. They are well-coached and spread the floor. Their forwards do a great job rebounding.
"They get after it on defense and lead the other team into uncomfortable situations."
The Warriors earned key wins over Geneva 54-50 and Perry 56-50 in double overtime in recent action.
Edgewood has had different players factor in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals so far this season.
Senior Katie McCollister leads the team in scoring at 18.6 points.
She poured in a season-high 26 points in a win over West Geauga in early December.
McCollister also helps in other ways, averaging five rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Annie Johnston is averaging 10.1 points, following by McKenna Vencill at 9.5, Leigha Guyton 7.9 and Avery Vencill 7.
Johnston also averages six rebounds.
"Offensively, they move the ball well to get a good shot," Reho said of the Warriors. "They play tough."
Both coaches laid out the keys to the game.
"We have to play our game and good fundamental basketball, play gritty defense, everyone needs to contribute in some way and we need to shut down their shooters/drivers," Reho said.
Vencill added, "We'll need to limit turnovers, create turnovers and defend well against Madison's best players."
Whoever wins Friday's game has a leg up on the rest of the competition, but there's still a long way to go as both teams will face more challenges along the way.
"We are excited to get after it, but we have to take one game at a time," Reho said. "One game at a time is what the entire staff has been preaching thus far."
The second regular-season game is scheduled for Feb. 7 at Madison.
"This is what you prepare all offseason for games like this," Vencill said. "You want to start well and finish well. This isn't a must-win game, but it is a needed-win game."
