Girls Basketball Previews: Six new coaches take over Region teams
There will be a lot of new faces on the sidelines when girls basketball season tips off this week.
Nearly half of the 14 Monroe County region teams will have new coaches, with six new leaders taking over.
Most of the newcomers already are well known to region fans.
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Boys basketball previews: A look at all 15 Monroe County Region teams
John Mason, who has coached Monroe’s girls the past two season, is shifting over to Gibraltar Carlson.
Former Summerfield assistant Trent Moody takes over at Monroe.
Jay Briggs, who has been an assistant at Dundee and Tecumseh, is Dundee’s new coach.
Whiteford’s new boss is Nick Brillhart, who was the boys junior varsity coach at Bedford.
Chris Imperati leaves his job as a junior varsity coach at Flat Rock to take the reins at New Boston Huron.
The only new coach without existing ties to the Region is Rob Carlson at Milan. He previously coached at several schools in the Upper Peninsula, including Ishpeming Westwood and Republic Michigamme, before is job brought him to the area.
A look at all of the teams follows.
AIRPORT
2022-23 record: 14-11
Coach: Darrell Mossburg, 11th year
Returning starters: Senior Rae Ann Drummond; sophomores Olivia Gratz, Peyton Zajac, Jillian Baker, Brenna Baker.
Season outlook: The Jets return their entire starting lineup from last year. Mossburg expects improvement from all of them and likes the energy provided by Cecelia Ortega and freshman Sophia Mator.
Coach’s comments: "We've got the right people on board and it's my job to put them in positions to succeed. We stress the importance of surrounding ourselves with high achievers, good teammates, no complainers and we worked hard on that. We are ready to go.”
ROSTER
Rae Ann Drummond (5-10 12)
Cecilia Ortega (5-9 12)
Madison Hoppert (5-6 12)
Emily Sell (5-7 11)
Olivia Gratz (5-8 10)
Peyton Zajac (5-8 10)
Jillian Baker (5-9 10)
Brenna Baker (5-7 10)
Chloe Ruhlig (5-11 10)
Payton Toth (5-8 10)
Chloe Lemke (5-8 10)
Sophia Mator (5-6 9)
BEDFORD
2022-23 record: 21-1
Coach: Bill Ryan, 20th year.
Returning starters: Senior Payton Pudlowski; juniors Aubrey Hensley, Nyah Mullins, Victoria Gray.
Season outlook: Gray averaged 13.4 points and 12.6 rebounds per game last season and was named Monroe County Region Player of the Year. She leads a talented group of returners.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of new faces that fill out the rest of our roster. Making sense of how to best utilize each player will be important to our success…. We have the potential to be very good. There will be some growing pains early in the year as we merge the returners with our new players. I am excited about the possibilities with this team.”ROSTER
Payton Pudlowski (5-7 G 12)
Kadie Morse (6-1 C 12)
Paige Anderson (5-10 F 12)
Maddie Armstrong (5-5 G 12)Victoria Gray (6-1 F 11)
Aubrey Hensley (5-5 G 11)
Nyah Mullins (5-9 F 11)
Brooklyn Manard (5-6 G 11)
Kennedy Nadolny (5-8 F 11)
Anna Gray (5-10 F 9)
Sienna May (5-7 G 9)
DUNDEE
2022-23 season: 2-19
Coach: Jay Briggs, first year.
Returning starters: Senior Faith Stahl; junior Mirra Borg.
Season outlook: A new coach takes over a team that will look a lot different than last year. The Vikings have two returning starters, but Stahl is sidelined with a knee injury. That will leave a lot of opportunities for newcomers.
Coach's Comments: “We have many newcomers to the team this year. Three of them are athletic seniors who have not played basketball in a few years, but they will all contribute to our team. It will be interesting to see who steps up to take the reins on the offensive side of things. This group will always give their all on the court.”
ROSTER
Ellie Salenbien (5-5 F 12)
Kennedy Irwin (5-7 G 12)
Joslyn Ball (5-9 F 12)
Briley Bordine (5-4 F-G 12)
Faith Stahl (5-8 F 12)
Mirra Borg (5-5 G 11)
Kendall Karner (5-6 F-G 11)
Joni Mitchell (5-7 F 11)
Natalie Rath (5-2 G 11)
Maddie Salenbien (5-8 F 10)
Veronica Rhoades (5-10 F 10)
Ava Johnson (5-6 G 10)
ERIE MASON
2022-23 record: 8-15
Coach: Josh Sweigert, eighth year
Returning starters: Senior Audrey Trainor; juniors Bailey Meiring, Brooklyn Langenderfer.
Season outlook: The Eagles return five players who started at least one game last year and others who saw significant time. That experience will be crucial with three freshmen on the varsity roster.
Coach’s comments: “This team works incredibly hard in practice and works very well together on the court. … We are looking forward to seeing how this team comes together.”
ROSTER
Audrey Trainor (5-8 G 12)
Abbigail England (5-7 F 12)
Jenna Wright (5-8 G 12)
Brooklyn Langenderfer (5-7 G 11)
Bailey Meiring (5-8 G 11)
Mackenna Gallaher (5-11 C 11)
Mikaela Graves (5-5 G 11)
Elizabeth Lambert (5-6 F 11)
Hannah Stachowski (5-9 C 11)
Paige Konrad (5-7 G 10)
Addisyn Homrich (5-10 F-C 9)
Aubrey Iocoangeli (5-10 F-C 9)
Zoie Stubleski (5-11 G-F 9)
FLAT ROCK
2022-23 record: 12-12
Coach: Brian Kryk, fourth year.
Returning starters: Senior McKenna Williams; junior Addison Kopp; sophomores Madleen Hussein, Layla Holbrook.
Season outlook: The returning starters accounted for 95-percent of the offense for the Rams last season. Kryk says his team will focus on defense and hopes to contend for the Huron League title.
Coach’s comments: “We will be starting four girls with a lot of experience from last season. I'm confident that between those four and our new additions this year, we will have a strong core. This team is focused and ready to work.”
ROSTER
McKenna Williams (5-8 F 12)
Mary Bayus (5-4 G 12)
Yasmine Muheisen (5-7 F 12)
Addison Kopp (5-9 G 11)
Sophia Durfee (5-5 G 11)
Avery Mysliewiec (5-8 F 11)
Madelyn Witkowski (5-10 F 11)
Madleen Hussein (5-4 G 10)
Layla Holbrook (5-5 G 10)
Lily Klein (6-2 F 9)
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
2022-23 record: 9-11
Coach: John Mason, first year
Returning starters: Seniors Abby Carafelli, Arianna Pate; junior Brooklyn Kemokai.
Season outlook: Carlson has seven players back with varsity experience from last season led by Carafelli, who made the All-Downriver League team.
Coach’s comments: “Junior guard Brooklyn Kemokai looks to have a breakout season along with backcourt member Arianna Pate. Sophomore Addison Wallace will help our starters with perimeter shooting and defense.”
ROSTER
Abby Carafelli (6-0 F 12)
Arianna Pate (5-4 G 12)
Zella Nelly (5-5 F 12)
Kennedy Noblit (5-8 G-F 12)
Reese Tolstyka (5-7 G-F 12)
Brooklyn Kemokai (5-7 G 11)
Maraya Finklea (5-6 G-F 11)
Riley Ivy (5-4 G 11)
Isabelle Salas (5-6 G 11)
Bree Shimizu (5-5 G 11)
Lauren Dunwoody (5-7 F 10)
Addison Wallace (5-8 G-F 10
Josie Farago (5-3 G 9)
IDA
2022-23 record: 15-10
Coach: Tim Leonard, 33rd year.
Returning starters: Seniors Kennedy Albring, Grace Capling; juniors Jessica Schrader, Claire Allen, Reece Hennessey.
Season outlook: The Blue Streaks have five starters returning, but two of them are battling their way back from injuries. Some newcomers will be asked to fill in the gaps until they return.
Coach’s comments: “I would like to think we will also be improved over last year once we get everyone back. We will be a little short on bodies until we get them back and into shape.”
ROSTER
Grace Capling (5-9 F 12)
Kennedy Albring (5-7 F 12)
Kayla Liechty (5-6 G 12)
McKenna Tarry (5-5 G 12)
Jessica Schrader (5-7 G 11)
Claire Allen (5-5 G 11)
Reese Hennessey (5-9 F 11
Rylee Shaffer (5-9 F 11)
Alyssa Torres (5-3 G 10)
Allison Schrader (5-5 G 9)
JEFFERSON
2022-23 record: 4-15
Coach: Bryan Parran, fourth year
Returning starters: Senior Claire Boggs; juniors Lindsey Gennoe, Anna Boggs, Gracie Jones.
Season outlook: Jefferson won four of its first five games last season, then finished on a 14-game losing streak. Size could be an issue. The Bears don’t have anyone taller than 5-9.
Coach’s comments: With four returning starters, we are looking to build off of last season. We had a great summer, putting in a lot of hard work. We are looking forward to a great season.”
ROSTER
Claire Boggs (5-4 G 12)
Sephena Jordan (5-9 C 12)
Jessica Masserant (5-5 F 12)
Lindsey Gennoe (5-5 G 11)
Anna Boggs (5-6 G 11)
Gracie Jones (5-9 F 11)
Carli Smith (5-6 F 11)
Alivia LeBrun (5-6 G 10)
Shelby Dubke (5-9 F 10)
Jenna Flint (5-5 G 9)
MILAN
2022-23 record: 7-17
Coach: Rob Carlson, first year.
Returning starters: Seniors Mariah Stines, Sydney McCray; junior Marissa Beck; sophomore Kaily McDaniel.
Season outlook: Milan has four starters back from last season and Carlson expects freshman Emily Bladen to be one of the team’s top scoring options this season.
Coach’s comments: “The addition of some key pieces and how they mesh will determine how good we can be. … While I return four starters from a year ago a couple of players have decided not to come out from last year due to focusing on other sports. With this being my first year with this group and with small numbers I look forward to the challenge of fitting the puzzle pieces in the right spot.”
ROSTER
Mariah Stines (5-9 F 12)
Sydney McCray (5-7 G-F 12)
Heidi Hatfield (5-6 G 12)
Marissa Beck (5-10 F 11)
Aubrey Stuebben (5-5 G 11)
Madison Farris (5-5 G 11)
Kaily McDaniel (5-7 G 10)
Aubrey Grutt (5-11 F 10)
Emily Bladen (5-7 G 9)
MONROE
2022-23 record: 6-17
Coach: Trent Moody, first year
Returning starters: Senior Alana Aulph; juniors Sophia Bussell, Jill Roberts.
Season outlook: Bussell averaged 12.4 points per game last season and hit 45 3-pointers. She will lead what Moody expects to be a potent offense.
Coach’s comments: “We will have a lot of juniors this season with a large JV team which sets up nice for the future. I am excited to get the opportunity to coach at Monroe. We have been implementing a new system which I think will help us in a lot of games this season.”
ROSTER
Alana Aulph (5-7 G 12)
Brooklin Stahl (5-2 G 12)
Zoe Leach (6-0 F 11)
Taylor Ray (5-9 F 11)
Hayven Neddo (5-8 G 11)
Jill Roberts (5-10, F 11)
Sophia Bussell (5-8 G 11)
Maci Willey (5-7 G 11)
Delani Willey (5-7 G 10)
NEW BOSTON HURON
2022-23 record: 7-14
Coach: Christopher Imperati, first year
Returning starters: Seniors Lila Clements, Melissa Mentzer.
Season outlook: Clements, who averaged 16 points per game and hit 43 3-pointers last season, has a chance to reach 1,000 career points this season.
Coach’s comments: “We have a nice mix on our varsity with three seniors, four juniors and three sophomores and I expect all to be contributors during the season. We also have a nice mix of size and speed which should help us throughout the year.”
ROSTER
Lila Clements (5-5 12)
Melissa Mentzer (5-5 12)
Emma Otter (5-6 12)
Rylie Cassette (5-7 11)
Gabriella Emelian (5-4 11)
Emma James (6-3 11)
Addison Bozynski (5-6 11)
Addison Beddow (5-11, 10)
Nina Clements (5-8 10)
Elle Huffman (5-7 10)
SMCC
2022-23 record: 18-6
Coach: John Durbin, 10th year.
Returning starters: Senior Madeline Hamilton; junior Brooke Mossburg.
Season outlook: The Kestrels suffered heavy graduation losses. Durbin is looking for younger players ready to step up and contribute.
Coach’s comments: “We have some big shoes to fill so there are a lot of opportunities for different players to step up. I really like how we are competing in practice. We have a good mix of young and experienced players.”
ROSTER
Madeline Hamilton (5-10 F 12)
Macy Carlton (5-10 F 12)
Faith Dean (5-7 G 12)
Emma Gessner (5-5 G 12)
Ava Villarreal (5-10 F 12)
Brooke Mossburg (5-8 G 11)
Julianna Potcova (5-10 G 11)
Natalie LaPrad (5-11 F 11)
Abby Lechy (5-8 G 11)
Adela Illes (5-8 G 10)
Bella LaFountain (5-7 G 10)
Brooklyn Carter (5-7 G 10)
SUMMERFIELD
2022-23 record: 22-4
Coach: Mickey Moody, eighth year
Returning starters: Senior Ava Fisher; junior Mia Miller; sophomores Mayley Mannebach, Jaeli Jones.
Season outlook: The four returning starters all are capable scorers and Moody expects Cameron Taylor to grab the fifth starting job and provide plenty of energy. Adding Lenawee Christian will make the Tri-County Conference tougher.
Coach’s comments: “This season will be interesting especially early in the season for us as we have six sophomores and a freshman on the team. We decided to really toughen up our non-league schedule this year as we have high goals on the season and we think doing this it will help us to get ready for tournament play and hopefully we can make a long run in the tournament.”
ROSTER
Ava Fisher (G 12)
Cameron Taylor (G 12)
Mia Miller (F 11)
Chloe Gonzales (F 10)
Makenzie Wolfe (F, 10)
Jaeli Jones (F 10)
Mayley Mannebach (G 10)
Grace Raymond (F 10)
Brea Olmsted (G 10)
Bridget Salenbien (G 9)
WHITEFORD
2022-23 record: 8-13
Coach: Nick Brillhart, first year
Returning starters: Seniors Annabelle Gapp and Anna Schober; junior Emily Rasor.
Season outlook: Gapp averaged 9.1 rebounds per game last season and Rasor scored nearly 7 points a game. They are adapting to a new system being implemented by Brillhart.
Coach’s comments: “The chemistry the team is starting to build is great to see. We will need to lean heavily on our seniors and returning players until everyone is up to speed.”
ROSTER
Annabelle Gapp (6-0 C 12)
Shay Alexander (5-1 G 12)
Anna Schober (5-5 G 12)
Emily Rasor (5-6 G 11)
Emily Hill (5-8 F-G 11)
Brooklyn Mills (5-8 F 11)
Jenna Saylor (5-3 G 11)
Bailey Spradling (5-8 G-F 10)
Briar Wing (5-7 F 10)
Addeson Cousino (5-6 G 10)
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Girls Basketball Previews: Six new coaches take over Region teams
