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By AARON PETCHAL
TORONTO -- The Toronto girls' basketball team took a big step forward last season, and the Red Knights are looking to take another step forward this season in Rusty Hodgkiss' second season as head coach.
Last season, the Red Knights ended the season with a record of 8-15. Toronto saw its season come to an end with an 81-36 loss to Bishop Rosecrans in an Ohio Division IV Eastern District Sectional game.
The Red Knights lost three seniors form last season -- Serena Burkey (point guard), Jazalyn Glenn (point guard) and Crystal Ford (shooting guard).
"It is easier this season," Hodgkiss said. "As head coach, there are a lot of different things you have to do. Last year, I really struggled with some of those things. This year, everything is a lot easier. I know what I am doing. It is a lot easier."
There are 20 girls in the program this season, and 15 should see varsity time. The Red Knights return six lettermen -- seniors Gina Fogle (point guard), Jenna Leasure (post) and Sydney Taggart (shooting guard) along with juniors Jozaeyah Jordan (point guard), Bianca McDonald (shooting guard) and Sara Yarosz (post).
Jordan is the team's top returning scorer. She averaged around 10 points per game.
Sam Swearingen is the other senior on the roster, and Kiara Smith, Hayley Oleksy, Madisson Roach and Lexie Thomas are also juniors. Toronto has two sophomores -- Ciera White and Isabelle Leasure -- on the roster.
Hodkiss said Smith is "super athletic."
The Red Knights also have a talented freshman class in Kendal Thomas, Maddy Anderson, Riley Kinsey, Kennedy Cottrell, Jensyn Jackson, Kianna Beckwith and Libby Grimes.
Toronto has not yet set a starting lineup. As of now, Jordan, McDonald, Leasure and Fogle are all in the running for one of the five spots to start the games.
"Gina Fogle is our team's conscience," Hodgkiss said. "If I had kids, I would want them to grow up and be like Gina Fogle. If they did, I would be proud as heck of those kids."
Thomas, Anderson, Kinsey, Roach and Cottrell are expected to see varsity time.
The Red Knights will again play pressure defense.
Cathie Thomas will serve as Toronto's assistant coach this season.
Nov. 27: Edison 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: at Wellsville 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: United 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8: at Oak Glen 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: at East Palestine 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: at Steubenville Central 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Lisbon 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: Columbiana 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21: at Leetonia 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27: at Edison 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 5: Southern 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8: Wellsville 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11: at United 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13: St. John 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18: East Palestine 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22: at Lisbon 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24: Steubenville Central 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25: at Columbiana 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29: Leetonia 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1: at Southern 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10: OVAC Championship (at OUE) 12:15 p.m.