Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Eastwood girls basketball team has a solid mix of veteran and young talent, including a couple surprise additions, as the Eagles look to use their speed to contend for a league title.
“I think we have a lot of potential,” Eastwood’s fourth-year head coach Brittany Butler said. “We played with a lot of defensive intensity and energy in our first two games, so I am excited to see how we continue to build and develop. This has been such a fun group of kids to coach so far. You can tell how much they want to get after it, and they are having fun doing it.”
The team’s core veteran group returning includes Ava Kachmarik, Kenna Nelson, and Karly Wasserman. Harper Rollins-Morlock also returns, although she is working her way back from an injury.
Butler is looking for each of them to increase their leadership role this year.
“They have been great at setting the tone for our other kids,” she said. “Each one of them played competitively in the offseason. They have all really matured offensively and defensively.”
Kachmarik, a junior guard, flourished in a breakout season last year, and she has developed her game since then.
“She really matured and developed her game in the offseason to give us a lot both inside and out,” Butler said. “We're throwing her in more of a post position this year, and she has responded well to the challenge. She is a fierce competitor and has stepped into being a utility player for us. Team is always first for her, and she's the type of kid who will run through walls for the person next to her.”
Meanwhile, Nelson and Wasserman are two senior guards who will look to attack on both ends.
“Kenna does so many little things for us — the stats that aren't always highlighted, (such as) making the extra pass and crashing the offensive boards,” Butler said. “She sees the floor tremendously well and is someone who makes a lot of good things happen for us.
“While perimeter shooting has always been her standout quality, I'm really proud of the way Karly has started attacking the rim more and trusting her instincts on defense. She's another one of those kids we'll really count on this season to be successful.”
One of the team’s surprise additions is senior Grace Meter, who is playing for the first time since middle school.
“I’m so glad she (decided to play),” Butler said. “She brings such positive energy, works extremely hard, and has a team-first mentality. She’s the type of senior everyone wants in their program.”
Another surprise addition is junior Mack Miller, an all-state volleyball player.
“She will be a huge asset,” Butler said. “She's the type of kid who puts everything she has into what she's doing and brings such positive energy. You can already tell she's starting to pick back up where she left off and will be a strong inside presence for us. She's an incredibly unselfish teammate.”
Additionally, a group of four underclassmen will also play key roles this year, including sophomores Karissa Nelson, Sophia Zunk, and Lauren Schuerman, along with freshman Gracyn Reiter.
“Karissa’s quickness will do wonders for us on both ends of the floor,” Butler said. “She’s a true gnat on defense and is continuing to develop offensively inside and out on the perimeter. She’s another one of our kids who is such a fierce competitor and plays with grit.”
Zunk will be a “great inside player” for the team, Butler said.
“She instinctively makes great decisions and does a lot of little things for us inside, but she’s never flashy,” she said. “She has an incredible work ethic.”
Schuerman, like many others on the team, brings a lot of skills from the soccer field to the team.
“She's quick off the dribble and on the defensive end,” Butler said. “We'll look for her to continue to develop outside the perimeter.”
Despite all that older talent, Reiter will also impact the team’s success this year as a rookie.
“She’s quick on all areas of the floor,” Butler said. “She is smooth in handling the ball and getting to the rim. Defensively she's another one who brings such intensity. She understands the game in ways most freshmen don't. We'll rely on her in a lot of areas in order to be competitive this season.”
With all that talent, Butler is excited for the season.
“We are athletic and quick,” Butler said. “It may take a bit to get some experience under our belt, but I love how hard our kids play and how well they play together. We know our league will be tough, but we’re looking to surprise some teams and contend for a league title.”
