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By SETH STASKEY
BELLAIRE -- There have been a few times during the summer and even into the preseason where veteran St. John Central girls' basketball coach Robert "Bubba" Kapral has found himself looking around wondering if and when the likes of Marissa Rose, Lindsey Froehlich and Jessica Alvey are going to walk into the gym.
And who can blame him? That trio -- along with Emily LeMasters and Rachel Porter -- did combine to score 3,900 points and win 67 games and the 2016 OVAC Class 1A title during the course of their careers. Unfortunately, for Kapral and the Irish all five collected their diplomas during commencement in May.
Rose, who is playing at Point Park in Pittsburgh, led the way with more than 1,600 points, while Froehlich, who is walking onto the Ohio State track team, scored more than 1,100 points and grabbed more than 800 rebounds. Alvey finished with more than 800 points despite missing a chunk of her sophomore campaign with an injury.
"I am not sure how many schools have graduated that much success, but we did," Kapral said. "Rose, Froehlich and Alvey all started from Day 1, played in the district all-star game and were all-district players. We definitely lost the mother load, but we had four great years with them."
However, Kapral, who is beginning his 23rd season as the head coach at his alma mater, doesn't have an all "woe is me" kind of attitude.
"We're rebuilding, but the tradition is still here," Kapral said. "We graduated a lot, but our goals haven't changed. We hope to be back in the OVAC Final Four and we want to do as well as possible when the tournament rolls around. We hope that tradition carries us through and it's a winning breeds winning attitude."
In his 29 years as a member of the Irish staff, St. John has experienced only one sub .500 season.
"I am going to steal a line from (Ohio State football coach) Urban Meyer … 'we graduated and lost a lot, but our goals don't change," Kapral said. "Our girls are excited about what's ahead because this is the first chance some of them have really had to play a lot since we've been so senior laden."
Many of the Irish pieces are unproven and inexperienced, but Kapral has already seen vast improvement from the summer through the pre-season, which opened late last month.
"Our summer wasn't where we wanted it to be or where we have been in the past," Kapral said. "It was rough, but we knew it would be. Since we've started, the girls have improved. But, they had a long way to come, too. They're getting better every day and they're light years better than they were in the summer."
Despite so many new faces and roles, Kapral doesn't plan on altering the method at which St. John goes about its business on the court.
"I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out what our identity is going to be," Kapral said. "We've always been a run and press team from baseline to baseline. We're going to try to continue that."
One area, however, that truly concerns Kapral is on the glass. With only one player on the roster standing taller than 5-7, rebounding could be an issue.
"We rebounded the ball poorly during the summer," Kapral said. "We know some of the girls will step up and score more, but producing points is the second part of the puzzle because if there's no rebounding, there's no running."
Slated to take on a much bigger role offensively is the lone returning starter in senior Taylor Lowe (5-6). She averaged just five points a game last year. She'll handle the power forward spot.
"Taylor has to step up," Kapral said. "She played with a great cast and it's now her time. She's embraced her role and has been much more aggressive and a very good leader. She's our leader and our captain. She'll do a very good job in that role."
The keys to the Irish offense are being handed to sophomore Madison DeLuca. She earned a letter off the bench last season and will also see an expanded role.
"Maddie is going to run the show," Kapral said. "She's as quick as can be and she dedicated herself to getting better, which should pay dividends."
Sophomore Kaylin Nixon also lettered last season and will see an increased workload. At 5-9, she'll serve as the Irish post player.
When the Irish take the floor this evening against Beallsville, juniors Alyssa Busack (5-4) and Brooke Palmer (5-4) will round out the starting lineup. Busack will hold down the two-guard spot, while Palmer is the small forward.
The top two subs for the Irish will be the Sisters Boyer -- freshman Haleigh (5-6) and senior Hannah (5-6) -- can play both inside and outside.
After missing last season with an injury, senior Gillie Johnson (5-6) returns to the mix for the Irish. She'll be a contributor off the bench, too.
Kapral also spoke highly of senior Kate Lovinski (5-7), who has come out for the team for the first time.
Seniors Rachel Russell and Rachel Zaccirey round out the roster and will provide solid frontcourt depth.
"The kids understand and embrace the tradition that's been laid out before them," Kapral said. "We have some nice pieces, our numbers are solid and some kids who have improved. We definitely have some building blocks in place."