This winter, the Chagrin Falls Tigers enter a new frontier as they transition into the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division—a move that brings fresh challenges, longer trips, and plenty of motivation.
After finishing 14-10 overall and 6-4 in league play, veteran head coach Brittany Laseak, who has 214 career wins, enters her 16th season with a young but energized squad eager to make an impression in their new conference home.
With only two returning starters and one more varsity returner, the Tigers are leaning into their youth, athleticism, and coachability—traits that have already stood out as the group shakes off a delayed start after the girls’ soccer team’s postseason run.
“We had a late start thanks to the success of our soccer team,” Laseak said. “Everyone has been incredibly coachable and eager to learn. We have thrown a lot at them in order to get everyone caught up, and they are taking it all in. There is a lot of potential with this group, and there will be some learning curves, but I think they are ready to take on the challenges.”
Fortunately for Chagrin Falls, leadership won’t be an issue thanks to junior veterans Abby Kay and Avery Russell. The three-year starters bring toughness, experience, and the kind of steady presence that helps guide a roster loaded with newcomers.
“We return Abby Kay and Avery Russell, who are three-year starters. They are used to playing a lot of basketball, and they are mentally and physically tough,” Laseak said. “These two juniors have been setting a great example for the rest of the team and acting as coaches on the floor. The team as a whole does a good job of communicating with one another, both on offense and on defense, and they play aggressively on defense. In the preseason, the ball movement has been really good so far.”
The challenges, however, are real. A new division means unfamiliar opponents, more travel, and the continued issue of low roster numbers—something many programs are battling.
“We are in a new division of the conference, so all the familiar faces are gone,” Laseak said. “Scouting and film will be more important than ever. With a new division, we also add more travel. We also have low numbers in our high school program. This appears to be a problem at a lot of schools this season. We will need to be more creative with our game preparation, plan efficient practices, and be mindful of where we can get rest days.”
On the floor, the Tigers will rely heavily on Kay, a 5-foot-3 junior point guard who averaged 4.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game last season while earning honorable mention accolades at both the conference and district levels.
“Abby is so tough and does a great job of keeping her composure on the floor,” Laseak said. “Her ability to apply pressure on the ball is tremendous. Abby directs our offense by handling point guard duties. She is capable of finding the open player and finding shots and drives for herself. I have a ton of confidence in Abby and her abilities, and I trust her in this leadership role.”
Russell, a 5-foot-8 guard/forward, meanwhile, enters the season as one of the area’s most dangerous scoring threats after averaging 15 points per game and draining 60 three-pointers a year ago. She earned All-Ohio honors and continues to elevate her all-around game.
“Avery is one of the hardest working players on the floor,” Laseak said. “She has put a ton of time into her game and is really thriving in a leadership role early this season. She has a diverse skill set on the offensive end, she has worked hard on her defensive skills, and she is turning into a vocal leader, especially on defense. I can count on Avery to set the tone.”
Sophomore guard Ivy Levey (5’4”) steps into a larger role after months of offseason work, bringing toughness, a nice outside shot, and a hunger to learn.
“Ivy has been working hard since last spring and summer to take on a larger role with the team,” Laseak said. “She is very tough and gutsy on defense, and she has a nice outside shot. Ivy has been taking in all of the coaching this preseason and really working on all aspects of her game. She gets to practice early to get extra shots up and puts in a ton of effort each practice.”
Another key piece is sophomore 6-footer Olivia Kruse, who saw limited varsity action last year but has the tools to become a breakout star thanks to her versatility, length, and ability to score at all three levels.
“Olivia can play anywhere on the floor,” Laseak said. “She will be counted on to be our utility player this season, both on offense and defense. Olivia’s height makes her difficult to match up with. She is a great perimeter player with a pretty shot and a first step to quickly get to the rim. Her length on defense will give other teams head both inside and on the block. Olivia has also been a communicator on the floor, and we’ll need her to continue that job for us this season. She has the ability to have a breakout season and to be a great leader for our team.”
Freshman forward Daisy Adelman (5’9”) has turned heads early with her communication, responsiveness to coaching, and physical presence around the rim.
“Daisy has been such a great surprise for us to start the season,” Laseak said. “She played with us all summer, but I have been so impressed with her communication on the floor and her ability to respond to coaching. She listens and applies direction on the very next play. Daisy is very vocal and helps to direct our defense. We’ll be counting on her to play physical this season and to clean up the offensive glass.”
Beyond the starting group, the Tigers will also lean on a wave of talented freshmen.
Forward Ila Cottrill (5’10”) brings athleticism and strong defensive instincts.
“I’ve been working with Ila at camps and clinics since she was in elementary school and I’m so excited to have her at the high school level now,” Laseak said. “She is a talented multisport athlete and is quickly making the adjustment back into basketball season. She is athletic and uses her height well to create for herself and to defend.”
Speedy guard Lexi Radomsky (5’2”) adds transition scoring and perimeter shooting.
“Lexi had a phenomenal soccer season, and she is making the transition to basketball with her speed and quick cuts on the floor,” Laseak said. “Lexi can score quickly in the open floor and shoot from the perimeter.”
Another guard, Sophie Igoe (5’2”), provides quickness, energy, and backcourt depth.
“Sophie is a talented multisport athlete who has been part of our program since elementary school,” Laseak said. “She is positive, coachable, and incredibly quick. She will get reps as a backup point guard and as the 2 guard this season.”
Giuliana Agnello, a 5-foot-6 freshman guard, brings a quick release and steady guard play.
“Giuliana is another familiar face from our youth program,” Laseak said. “She has worked on her skill development as a guard and has a nice, quick shot.”
Versatile freshman guard/forward Zoe Thompson (5’8”) adds size, adaptability, and a strong feel for the game.
“Zoe can play on the perimeter and inside,” Laseak said. “As another multisport athlete, she adjusts well to different situations and learns quickly.”
As Chagrin Falls begins this new chapter, the focus is as much on growth as it is on competing for championships.
“You always want to play for a conference title and to advance in the postseason, and we have specific statistical goals for each game,” Laseak said. “I think that this year, we’ll really be evaluating how we respond to challenges and respond to adversity. Again, with a young team where everyone is going to be seeing significant minutes, we have to be able to respond, not react, to different situations on the floor. The game moves quickl,y and we need to be able to learn as fast as possible this season. My goal, or challenge, for my team this season is to have a growth mindset and to fall in love with the process, not just the end result. We can do great things, but it won’t happen in an instant. As they say,
‘the hard is what makes it great.’”
And when it comes to what it will take to succeed night in and night out?
“Each game is going to look a little different depending on our opponent, but we need to rebound as a team, have more assists than turnovers, and finish high-percentage shots and free throws,” Laseak said. “It will take a collective team effort to limit second-chance points and to get the stop right away. We will have to be effective and efficient on offense to move the ball and to find the best shot as well.”
