by Devan Matthews

Correspondent

After losing six players to graduation and returning not a single starter from last season, the Tallmadge girls basketball team was faced with the challenge of getting this season’s group of varsity players more experience — while winning at the same time.

So far, so good.

Tallmadge split a pair of games to start the 2009-10 season recently, and a number of Lady Blue Devils stepped up and contributed in a significant fashion.

In Tallmadge’s 56-39 loss to Ravenna in the opener, senior guard Karley DeLorenzo scored eight points and also was a force on the defensive end of the floor, notching six steals.

According to Tallmadge fifth-year head coach Jeff Manion, DeLorenzo will be a cornerstone of the team’s defensive efforts throughout the season.

“Karley was inspiring on defense,” said Manion. “She will be our leader on the defensive end and has no quit in her.”

Manion lauded not only DeLorenzo, but also the entire team for its effort and performance against the Ravens.

“I was very pleased with the effort on both ends of the floor from every player that stepped on the court,” he said. “Ravenna is one of the area’s top teams and should have a very successful season.”

The Lady Blue Devils then took another step in their progression with a 47-42 victory over Norwayne, starting with senior guard Taylor Allen. Allen scored a career-high 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field and also pulled down seven rebounds.

In addition, senior forward Abby Prulhiere was a force on the boards, registering a team-high 12 rebounds. She also scored six points and blocked three shots.

It wasn’t just the victory that was important against the Bobcats. It was the experience that the Lady Blue Devils gained while achieving victory that stood out the most in Manion’s mind.

“This was a great test for our kids and they gained some valuable experience from this game,” he said. “Norwayne plays very hard and they really made us earn this one.”

The Lady Blue Devils were scheduled to entertain Highland in their Suburban League debut Dec. 5. Results were not available at press time.

They are set to visit league rival Barberton Dec. 9 before heading to Lodi for a league showdown with Cloverleaf Dec. 12. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

“I’m proud of how my kids handled themselves when it counted [against Norwayne] and now we start looking ahead to our first league game of the season against Highland,” said Manion.

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