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By KIM NORTH
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Stacey Agnew's return to the bench last year was a trying experience as head coach of the St. Clairsville girls' program.
"It was kind of helter-skelter. It seemed as though anything that could go wrong did, especially injury-wise," he said of a 7-15 campaign that ended with a loss in the Ohio Division II sectional championship game to Riverview. "We had two girls go down with torn ACLs and one with a displaced hip."
However Agnew, who has coached in different capacities at several schools in the area, has half-a-dozen letterwinners back from a season ago, but also has the task of replacing one of the school's finest female players in 1,000-point scorer Anna DeFilippo.
"She was basically worth 30 points a game," Agnew said the of the Cedarville University freshman. "She did just about everything for us the last four years."
DeFilippo was first team All-OVAC Class 4-A, All-Eastern District Division II and honorable mention all-state as a senior.
Also picking up their diplomas were Irene Heath and Stephanie Sliva, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL suffered the year before.
"They were all three great girls to be around," Agnew said.
Heading the list of returnees is senior guard Sydney Freeman, a three-year veteran.
"Sydney's going to be counted on for a lot of leadership, as well as scoring this season," the head coach said of the 5-foot-5 guard.
Juniors Katie Bradshaw -- a two-year letterwinner -- and Ari Reager -- a one-year letterwinner -- will man the forward spots at 5-9 and 5-7, respectively. Both have been plagued by injuries during their careers, but are healthy and ready to go, according to the coach.
"Katie and Ari have had ankle problems but both are healthy and have played well in the first couple of scrimmages," Agnew said. "We'll need them on the inside."
Another junior -- 6-0 Taylor Henry-- missed most of last season with a torn ACL after starting off on a good note.
"She started off really well in the middle and had a couple of really good games, but then she got hurt," Agnew recalled. "She's about 90-percent healthy now and starting to get in shape. She really didn't start any kind of basketball work until September because of the injury, so she's working hard."
Sophomores Maria Vincenzo (5-4) and Rileigh Simpson (5-6) round out the returnees after playing major roles as freshmen.
"Maria started every game for us as a freshman and Rileigh started a dozen games before suffering concussion symptoms," Agnew said. "They are both in our plans for this season and the future."
The only other senior is 5-9 guard/forward Jada Creer, who split time between the jayvee and varsity squads last season.
"Jada got some varsity experience last season and she will also be counted on for a lot this year."
The head coach said one freshman -- 5-9 Keri Klinkoski -- will see a vast amount of varsity time.
"She started some on the volleyball team and we're looking for her to contribute for us," he said. "She showed a lot of promise over the summer."
Rounding out the roster are Tiffany Burghy, Skylar Melcher, Emily Vera, Brooke Reager, Olivia Robinson, Kassidy Stephens, Sydnie Rice, Kaitlyn Wilson, Bella Saenz, Hannah Elerick, Maddie Strain, Emma Haley, Jordyn Palicka, Katie Strama and Alexis Hines.
When asked what type of team the Red Devils will be this season, Agnew didn't hesitate with his answer.
"We want to get up and down the floor and create some offense with our defense. Hopefully, we can get the ball inside a little more this season because we've got some big bodies, but we've also got some good quickness with our guards. We can do a lot of different things.
"Defensively, we're way ahead of where I thought we would be, but with a lot of the girls playing last year they now know what varsity basketball is all about. We're still working on some things.
''Offensively, we're a little behind but that will happen when you lose a 30-point-a-game scorer. The girls have looked good in our scrimmages. We're coming along.
"The big thing right now is the girls need to get confidence in their shooting. When they have the open shot they need to take it. We tell them every day to shoot the ball."
As far as the schedule, several new teams come aboard. The Red Devils will play Steubenville twice instead of once, and also have games against Brooke, East Liverpool and Edison.
"We only play Buckeye Local once and Barnesville once," Agnew said. "We open up with Barnesville and they've got a big girl in the middle and they've got that guard that just signed to play in college. I think the Buckeye 8 will be wide open as several teams lost good players and several others have good players coming back."
Tim Sliva will again serve as Agnew's varsity assistant, while Missy Gossett will lead the jayvees. Moriah Agnew, Stacey's daughter, is in charge of the 7th grade and Chelsea Nemeti will coach the 8th grade.