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By RICK DeLUCA
CONNORVILLE -- It would seem that lately scoring points hasn't been much of a problem for Coach Tom Figurski and his Panthers at Buckeye Local. After all, the school career scoring record has been topped in each of the past two years and his squad returns a sophomore this season that scored more than 400 points as a freshman.
Of course, Figurski would be the first to tell anyone that games are won both sides of the court and that scoring is important, but so is defense.
In starting his fourth season as the head coach at Buckeye Local has shown improvement each year after coming off a 3-20 mark in Figurski's first season and finishing at 9-13 in his second.
Buckeye had one of its most successful season's a year ago when they finished at 13-10, captured the Buckeye 8 North Division and finished as Buckeye 8 overall runner up. The Panthers also became the first Buckeye Local team to qualify for the OVAC championships losing the title game at OUE.
"We have a strong nucleus returning from a team that had a lot of success last year," Figurski said looking ahead to the new season. "We lost some very good players from last year's team, but we had a lot of younger players that gained a lot of experience on the court."
"We will probably rotate at least eight players this season. We have a group that is very exchangeable, so that will give us the ability to play more girls and move people around."
Figurski's varsity roster features five seniors, with two of those returning for a third letter, four juniors including two letter winners and two talented sophomores who both lettered and started as freshmen.
Two senior letter winners return in the person of 5-5 guard Danielle Dvorcek and 5-6 guard Lexie Swiger. Dvorcek tossed in 201 points, grabbed 78 rebounds had 37 assists and 35 steals as a junior. Swiger, who was used in a variety of possessions closed with 27 points, 42 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals.
In addition, the senior contingent includes 5- 6 guard Shelby Gorlock, 5-4 forward Logan Cunningham and 5-7 center Emily Fox.
Buckeye's junior group is led by returning letter winners Amanda Piergallini and Maddie Gill. Piergallini, a 5-7 forward closed with 53 points, 143 rebounds and eight steals last season and will be a presence on the boards this year. Gill, a 5-10 center, is another string inside player that saw limited action in key situations a year ago.
Juniors also include 5-5 guard Casey Banal and 5-10 center Carrie Dill, both expected to play key roles this season.
What could be the strength of the Panther attack are the two returning sophomore letter winners. Emily Holzopfel, a 5-7 guard, was one of the Ohio Valley's biggest scorers last year finishing with 429. The smooth-shooting soph also had 129 rebounds, 22 assists and 35 steals. Another is 5-7 guard Alaire Destifanes, an excellent ball-handler with 53 points, 42 boards, 12 assists and 15 steals.
Figurski also has at his disposal a large jayvee group that will provide plenty of support. The group includes 5-6 junior guard Brooke Miller, 5-6 junior guard Skylar Langford and 5-8 forward Lillie Windsheimer.
In addition, the jayvees include seven sophomores with 5-3 guard Rachel Moore, 5-8 forward Michaela Green, 5-8 center Paige Risden, 5-8 forward Cameron Henry, 5-4 guard Maddie Kujawa, 5-5 guard Aubrey Sebring and 5-4 guard Moran Donley.
Freshmen lining up with the jayvees are 5-5 guard Emily Ganze, 5-6 guard Hayleigh Phillips and 5-8 forward Brooke Carpino along with the aforementioned Roski, a 5-3 guard.
Figurski has a veteran staff returning with varsity assistant Charlie Nest and assistants Ed Nest and Christine Defede.
Buckeye has added two new teams to each schedule adding a game with Barnesville and a pair with Toronto, while adjusting the schedule to just one meeting with two other teams.