If you look at Ciara Albright’s statistics and watch her play basketball, you’d get the impression that she’s a seasoned veteran.

She’s actually a sophomore.

In her first year of varsity play, the 5-foot-7 shooting guard leads Genoa in scoring, averaging 13.8 points.

Currently, the Comets are 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the Northern Buckeye Conference. They’ve won four of their last six games after starting the season 1-3, not to mention the fact that they’ve had their share of close calls. That includes victories over Eastwood (49-46 in overtime), Old Fort (32-31) and Rossford (37-35).

Coach Mike DeStazio says it’s been a learning process for an inexperienced bunch that is replacing seven seniors, including all five starters from a squad that went 21-3 last season and advanced to the Division III district finals. 

Aside from Albright, the Comets start three seniors, Hunter Giles, Nicole Kraemer, Taylor Beck, and a junior, Haley Plantz. Genoa employs a four-guard lineup with Taylor Beck, a 5-10 center, manning the post. Kraemer (5-5) runs the point, switching with Albright at times, and Giles (5-4) and Plantz (5-5) serve as wings.

The key to Genoa’s success has been getting high-percentage shots, whether it be through an offensive style that features penetration or a defense that looks to force turnovers and creates opportunities in transition. Thus far, the team is forcing opponents into 23 turnovers per game.

“Our defense creates our offense,” said DeStazio.

The veteran coach, now in his second season at Genoa, has an established track record, having won his share of Suburban Lakes League titles at Woodmore, not to mention being the all-time winningest coach in that program’s history.

As for Albright, she scores the bulk of her points off penetration and taking what the defense gives her. It is a credit to her versatility that she’s been able to alter her game to fit the team’s style of play considering that, during her freshman year, she scored mostly from the perimeter.

“I don’t really shoot outside too much,” she said. “I like to drive to the basket and get points off steals and fast breaks. We have a run and jump defense, so we’re really quick and fast. We press and try to get as many steals as we can.”

DeStazio said, “She’s as good as anyone in the league at getting to the basket.”

The coach notes that his goal is for the Comets to shoot a minimum of 15 layups per game.   

DeStazio credits the team’s play in summer leagues as being critical in helping to shape the current roster. It was then that he realized that Albright would best be suited to play the shooting guard position instead of serving as point guard. He made the choice to have Kraemer, a senior, take over the point, a move that allowed Albright to play off the ball and, as a result, has been a major benefit to her and the team. On top of that, DeStazio notes that Kraemer, who is averaging 8.2 points, has helped run the offense effectively, as the team is averaging 44.6 points in its five wins.

“She has made us much better than I could’ve imagined,” DeStazio said of Kraemer. “Not only is she athletic, but she’s quick. She handles the ball against the press and is very unselfish.”

He also notes the contribution Kraemer and the other two guards have had in helping to take the pressure off Albright.

“Nicole, Hunter, and Haley — Ciara has benefited from having them around,” he said. “They’ve created a lot of freedom for Ciara (because) teams can’t focus on (her), they have to focus on the (other) three guards.” 

In addition to her success on the court, Albright has done well on the softball field. As a freshman, she led the Suburban Lakes League in home runs. Albright, who also plays volleyball, notes that she’s been playing with softball travel teams during the summer since she was 10-years-old.

Until spring arrives, she will continue focusing on basketball.

Currently, Woodmore and Otsego sit atop the NBC with a number of teams situated around .500 looking for a chance to take reigns atop the conference. Genoa will get the opportunity with its next two games coming against Otsego and Woodmore.

Needless to say, Albright understands the importance of these two matchups.

“These next two games are against Otsego and Woodmore, the top two teams in the conference. We feel that we can compete with them, but if we lose, we’re confident that we can finish third,” Albright said.

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