A new league and a new coach have the Madison Blue Streaks optimistic about their potential this winter.
The Blue Streaks finished the 2022-2023 season with a 14-9 record overall and a 10-4 mark in the Western Reserve Conference. They return three starters and one other player with varsity experience from that squad as the Blue Streaks begin play in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division.
“This squad has a ton of potential,” said first-year coach Heather Reho. “I feel that we will continue to work together to take good shots, play tough defense, and communicate as a team.”
The Blue Streaks aren’t deep but they have talent, work hard, and share the ball.
Reho hopes that as the team jells, her squad will minimize their shortcomings.
“A strength of ours is that we share the ball well,” she said. “We don’t play selfishly and defensively, they are willing to work hard. One challenge we will face this year is lack of varsity experience on our bench. We hope to overcome this by teaching fundamentals and knowing their role on the court.”
Leading the way for the Blue Streaks are returning All-WRC performers Claire Wakim and Zoey Deligianis.
Wakim, a 5-foot-10 senior shooting guard, averaged 14.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 steals per game as a junior on her way to earning first-team All-WRC, third-team all-district, and honorable mention All-Ohio honors in Division I.
“Claire is tough both as a shooting guard and a forward,” Reho said. “Claire is versatile and will provide a presence in the paint. As a senior, we will rely heavily on her leadership on and off the court.”
Deligianis, a 5-foot-5 junior point guard, averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game last year. She was named honorable mention All-WRC.
“Zoey gives 110 percent,” Reho said. “She is an offensive and defensive threat. As a junior, we will rely on Zoey for her knowledge of the game, leadership, and passion.”
Rounding out Madison’s projected starting lineup are a pair of seniors and a sophomore.
Alyssa Snider is a 5-foot-10 senior forward who averaged 4.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and two blocks per game. Sydney Sorber is a 5-foot-8 senior shooting guard and Kendra Smith is a 5-foot-9 sophomore forward.
“As a returning starter, Alyssa will be relied on heavily to rebound this season,” Reho said. “Sydney demonstrates great communication on the floor. She is a team player. She is vocal and we rely on her for her gritty defense. Kendra is a sophomore that we will rely on for rebounding and post play.”
Senior 5-foot-4 guard Ella Hall will provide depth.
“Ella is a hard worker,” Reho said. “I look forward to watching her grow this year. She knows her role on the court.”
The Blue Streaks have set their sights on winning the CVC Lake Division title and then rolling into the postseason with some confidence and momentum.
“Our team goals for the 2023-2024 season are to win the CVC, work together as a team, play hard and be relentless,” Reho said. “Our keys to victory this season will be off-the-ball movement, communication, shot selection, gritty defense.”
