Girls Basketball Preview: Seahawks counting on seniors
The Cape Coral Seahawks return seven seniors from last year’s girls’ basketball team, which won 17 games and posted an 8-3 record in District 5A-15 play.
Though each player brings a diversity of skills, the seniors each are expected to set the tone in terms of defense and leadership this season.
“Overall we are very senior heavy,” Seahawks coach Olivia Myers said. “We hope that works in our favor.”
The Seahawks started to find out Monday on the opening night of the girls’ basketball regular season. Cape defeated Fort Myers, while Mariner lost to Evangelical Christian.
Among the Seahawks’ returning seniors are starters Alexiss Griffin, Jardin McCarthy and Christina Gaywood.
Griffin, a 5-foot-9 guard/forward, is the primary scoring option, averaging 14 and 17 points, respectively, the past two seasons.
McCarthy, a 5-5 point guard, is the consummate floor general, directing the team with her ball-handling and passing skills. She averaged 14 points, five assists and three steals as a junior.
Gaywood, a 6-0 center, is the team’s top returning rebounder and low-post option.
Cape, though, is only one of the district teams looking to move up in the standings and possibly challenge defending state champion Barron Collier. The Cougars lost three of their top four scorers from last year’s team that went 31-3 overall and 8-0 in district play.
North Fort Myers (19-7, 9-2) is coming off a strong season, which included a pair of close wins over Cape.
Under coach Kathy Padilla, North plays a fast-paced, pressure game. It’s made possible by the team’s depth and outstanding conditioning.
Seniors Denasia Smith, Cassidy Davis, Cassandra Cannova and juniors Wally Rosario, MacHera Calhoun and Carol Ruiz-Lopez are among the returning players.
Ida Baker (10-14, 3-5) aims for a breakout year. The Bulldogs are led by junior guard Brooke Bursiek, who scored in double-figures 13 times last season.
They’ll need more players to emerge offensively, though, as Bursiek and departed senior Vinna Arzadon accounted for more than 60 percent of the scoring last season.
A large senior class includes forwards Stephanie Price, Katelyn Glaser, Mercedes Bonsanto and Jaclynn Smith, and guards Bursiek, Jessica Osegueda and Kristyn Powmesamy.
The Mariner Tritons are in a similar situation, trying to find more scoring to help senior guard Chastity Carter, who hit double figures 18 times last year and averaged 13 points per game.
Senior center Maggie Swistak (5-8) is a key inside player for the Tritons, who are guided by a new coach Jeremy Dearinger.
The Tritons are looking to rebound from a 2-23 record last year.