Julie Swartzmiller described the Genoa girls basketball team's first day of practice with new coach Mike DeStazio as “really awkward.”

“None of us knew what to expect,” said Swartzmiller, a 5-foot-8 wing and one of seven seniors playing for the Comets this season. “We didn't know what to do. I know none of us were really comfortable. It was a new coach and we've never had (a coaching change) happen to us before, so it was new to us.”

Not many people inside or outside the program knew what to expect with the coaching transition from Tom Kontak to DeStazio, who hadn't coached since he put together a 149-52 record at Woodmore and led the Wildcats to two Suburban Lakes League titles from 1994-2003.

Switching coaches can be an especially difficult transition for incoming seniors.

“At first we weren't as open to it,” Swartzmiller said, “but as time went on we became open to it. We took it in. Now, it's just fine. Even though we are seniors and starting over, it's not as bad as we thought it would be. We knew how each other would play and we had that connection. We're just learning different things.”

Genoa's Rachel Johnson goes up for a lay-up against Elmwood. (Press photo by Harold Hamilton/HEHphotos.lifepics.com)

DeStazio brought in his own style of play, which consists of an up-tempo offense that encourages players to look to shoot the 3-pointer or, basically, shoot the ball whenever they're open. DeStazio's system has worked so far, as the Comets are 5-0 heading into Friday's home game against Otsego.

“We run the floor, we're boxing out and we're shooting from inside and outside,” said Swartzmiller, who has been a starter since midway through her sophomore year. “That's the way he likes to play. He likes us to push the ball in transition and he really likes us to shoot. I'm glad. Three-pointers open things up, and you can get offensive rebounds, too.”

DeStazio said the Comets appear to be getting more comfortable with every practice and every game.

“The girls play hard, which is kind of a trademark of my style of play,” DeStazio said. “We've been shooting quite a bit from the perimeter. We're not shooting real well right now, but we're getting better. We're getting better fundamentally. We're shortening up our practices a little bit and we're getting more intensity out of them.”

Genoa, which has beaten Oak Harbor, Eastwood, Northwood, Danbury and Elmwood, is getting contributions from every player who steps on the court.

Senior post Jessica Feller is averaging 12.4 points and 11.6 rebounds a game, while Swartzmiller and senior wing Alyssa Meis are averaging 12.4 and 10.2 points, respectively. Senior point guard Brandi Schimming is dishing out 4.4 assists a game.

“This is a balanced team,” DeStazio said. “On any given night, any of these kids can give you some points. Emily Mock has created a lot of that for us. Teams worry about her at the 3-point line. She is definitely one of the better shooters in the league. Bailee Adams, the last two games, has averaged 7-8 points a game and has been playing unbelievable defense. She's got five blocks in the last two games.

“Rachel Johnson has 23 steals for us, so they all contribute. It's very unique to have seven seniors to contribute the way they do. It's a very unselfish team. We work on that in practice. Everybody's treated the same and I think that carries over a little bit. They're just good kids.”

Swartzmiller said DeStazio constantly asks the players for their input.

“He's always asking us, 'What's your opinion?' or 'What do you have to say about this or that?' ” said Swartzmiller, who added that the Comets' 5-0 start has boosted their expectations.

“Going in, us seniors, this is our last year and we wanted to make the most of our senior year,” she said. “I don't think the goals have changed at all. It made us believe we can go even farther than we wanted to. We look at all of our games so far and how well we're playing. It just gives us that confidence.”

DeStazio said he has invited the team to his house for some of his wife's home cooking and to watch game tapes from this season and last year.

“A lot of it is me getting to know the girls and the girls getting to know me,” DeStazio said. “I do believe that Rome wasn't built in a day. I don't feel like we're behind or ahead (of schedule). We just take it day by day. Starting 5-0 is surprising, but it's not surprising. I really believe we just keep getting better. I'm having a lot of fun.”

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