Greater Akron high school girls | 5 questions as 2023-24 season tips off
With the OHSAA girls basketball season returning this week, Greater Akron will look to put forth another banner season.
Archbishop Hoban, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy all won district titles last February. Several other schools ran into tough opponents in the postseason, but have plenty of firepower back.
Here are five questions that need to be asked as the 2023-24 season tips off:
What can Hoban, STVM and CVCA girls basketball do after winning district titles?
Pam Davis may have had her best season as Hoban coach last season. Despite major losses to graduation and transfers, the Knights still won a district title.
Davis has another challenge coming this winter with Rylee Bennett and others having graduated, but the cupboard is never bare for the Knights.
Over at STVM, the Irish return a team that matches coach Carley Whitney's tenacious personality. Youngstown State recruit Erica King leads STVM and might lead Greater Akron in steals and floor burns by season's end.
Meanwhile, CVCA's regional semifinal loss to Principals Athletic Conference rival Northwest couldn't dim a great season. With Gia Casalinova now playing at Ashland, point guard Joi Williams will lead the Royals.
Will year two for Copley girls basketball under coach Julie Solis be as good as the first?
Coach Julie Solis had a brilliant first year at Copley. Copley went 21-1 in the regular season and reached the district final before falling to eventual Division II state runner-up Northwest.
Izzy Callaway became Copley's leading scorer last season, averaging just under 19 points. She may have to take on a larger scoring role this season.
Although Highland returns a strong squad, Copley is favored to win the Suburban League American Conference.
If Stow-Munroe Falls can stay healthy, will it be Greater Akron's best girls basketball team?
A slew of injuries couldn't keep Stow from winning its seventh consecutive Suburban League National Conference title last winter.
Four-year starter Anna Hurst is back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, while center Kennady Dobbs became a force in her freshman year. With Alaina Ray, Rachel Frailey and Kadence Dodds back, Stow returns its entire starting lineup.
Coach Bob Podges' pack-line defense always makes Stow formidable. If they can score consistently, Stow could be in for a huge year.
How will Solon's arrival affect the girls basketball balance of the Suburban League?
Solon's arrival in the Suburban League National Conference strengthened it in nearly every sport. However, the Comets' most successful program over the last decade has been girls basketball.
Veteran coach Trish Kruse led the Comets to the regional final last year before bowing out to Midview. The Comets lost a lot to graduation, but All-Ohioan Mackenzie Blackford could be one of Ohio's best 3-point shooters.
One more note: Solon has been Stow's postseason nemesis for much of the last decade. Becoming conference foes will only make this rivalry hotter.
What will happen with Greater Akron's other packs of Bulldogs?
Every pack of Bulldogs in Summit County has hopes this winter.
After all, Green eliminated Stow from the Division I tournament last season and reached the district final, where it lost to Hoban.
Coach Alicia Manning returns a ton of talent, including forward Jenna Slates, who averaged a double-double last season. Life in the Federal League is never easy, but Green should be battle-hardened for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Woodridge has its eyes on its most successful season in a decade. Murray State recruit Cam Hoover is a force both inside the paint and out.
The Bulldogs will look to end Norton's dominance in the Metro Athletic Conference.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 5 questions on Greater Akron high school girls basketball
