Green Wave prepares to reload

The challenge this season for St. Edward's girls basketball team is an obvious one.

With the loss of school all-time scoring leader Katie Yohn, someone has to account for an awful lot of missing point production.

"I think we're kind of looking for a number of girls to pick up for Katie's scoring," said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson, whose team won a regional title last year. "We're younger this year, but have a ton of talent.

"I'm expecting three or four girls to score in the 10- to 12-point mark and the rest to add more to their scoring production."

It helps having junior sharp-shooter Vincenza Ranallo, senior guard/forward Kristi Knott and senior guard Ashley McMullin back as contributors from last year's team.

Also, sophomore forward Madeline Kerr and sophomore guard Callie Johnson gained valuable experience last year with the varsity.

The Green Wave should benefit, too, from transfers who could make a big difference. Former Elgin Academy standout Alexandria Lee is a sophomore who led the Hilltoppers last season and is at St. Edward.

The Green Wave used to play against the other two transfers. Junior Tarah McShane and senior Brianna Medinger both played minor roles for Class 2A state champion Driscoll last year.

"I think the addition of them gives us more leadership because they were part of a successful team," Dawson said.

Also back is senior Colleen Kerger, a defensive standout who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year.

Toss in a few stronger players from the sophomore team, like 6-foot-1 center Katherine Donahue and guard Paige Gannon -- who both played with sophomores last year as freshmen -- and the Green Wave has the potential to pick up the slack for Yohn, who now is at Bradley.

"It is a big difference for us without her on the floor," Dawson said. "Before, she was our safety. If something was breaking down we could give it to Katie.

"Now we're working on the continuity of our offense, and hitting defense really hard and proper positioning on rebounding -- a lot of X's and O's that can add up to a lot."

Part of the scoring increase throughout the roster could occur out of the Green Wave defense.

"We're looking to push it and to run and see how deep we are," Dawson said. "We want to see if we can tire out some teams and go, go, go."

Dawson believes the height and outside shooting are present to play the halfcourt game if need be.

"All over we're taller," she said. "Alex is 6-1, Katherine 6-1. We have them in the middle but even our guards were taller this year.

"We've got five kids who are good outside threats: Madeline, Callie, Enza,Tarah and Bri."