Everything looks new for Twinsburg girls basketball

A glimpse into the future for a new-look Twinsburg girls basketball program starts now and there is an abundance of energy. With a transfer and five freshmen ready to contribute, team chemistry will be a key.

Under the direction of first year head coach Ryan Looman, this winter’s edition will feature a lot of athletes and a ton of youth to forge ahead.

The biggest difference between this season and the 2021 Tigers is that there are more ball handlers and the team’s speed may lead to better shot selection, plus increased energy on defense.

There may be as many as five freshmen that could see action on a given night and these youngsters don’t appear to be afraid of the bright lights.

“Building from the ground up and starting strong,” emphasized Looman about the immediate focus. “The more we grow together and the level of selflessness we have will determine where our season goes.”

With just one win in the program a year ago, Looman and his coaching staff realize there is a lot of work ahead.

“I like where we are, but know we have a tough road ahead,” pointed out Looman. “Success in our non-conference and competing with the tough Suburban League will be key.”

Looman, who enters his seventh year as a head coach overall after a successful stint at Mayfield, will be aided by a coaching staff that includes Bobby Goff and Shanae Brown. Goff is the varsity assistant coach while Brown is the junior varsity coach.

The Tigers already equaled their win total from last year with an impressive opening season 53-40 win at North Olmsted Friday.

Twinsburg does return some experience from last winter, but will miss standout graduate Logan Pride, who is now Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.

Other graduates were Makayla Busicnki (honorable mention all-league), Elliotte Schneeman, Maria Pontius, Gabi Bonnizzio, and Victoria Hayes.

Twinsburg will lean on senior leadership and the experience of returning starters in Sophie Adick, Genesis Carthen, and Alexis Cellura.

Adick, a 5-foot-11-inch post player, has always hustled, hit the glass and was a player who always seemed to do the right thing on the court.

Last season, Adick showed her growth in scoring as she had a career high 18 points in one outing. She averaged 8.0 points and over 6.0 rebounds a game.

“Sophie is out with an injury as she tore her ACL in August and is working to rehab,” noted Looman. “Doctors think Sophie can play and we are hoping sometime in December she may be able to resume activities.”

“A second-team All-Suburban League player, Sophie brings some toughness in the paint and can rebound with the best of them,” added Looman. “She is a team captain.”

Blessed with great experience, the 6-0 Carthen gives the Tigers much needed size at forward and some shooting promise after hitting for 4.0 points and 4.0 boards in 2021.

“Genesis is a team captain who has a great skill set and length,” offered Looman. “Her knowledge of the game has shown through and once we get her comfortable, the sky is the limit.”

Cellura is another veteran – a versatile 5-8 forward/wing who will help the Tigers again this season after hitting for 2.0 points in 2021 and helping on defense and on the glass.

“Alexis brings us some athleticism, work ethic, and a drive to succeed,” explained Looman. “She is a team captain who does everything to make her teammates better. She will be one of our defensive leaders.”

One veteran returning letterman is also back in 5-11 senior forward Lauren Glessman. She added 2.0 points, board work and defense last winter.

“Lauren brings some length that we can definitely use inside the paint,” said Looman. “She is a great kid who has really worked hard for us.”

Twinsburg has a slew of varsity newcomers that will have an immediate impact.

Senior Abby Carroll isn’t new to varsity hoops – she is just new to the Tiger program!

Carroll was a starting point guard last year at Midland (MI) High where she was an honorable mention All Saginaw Valley League pick. The 5-4 Carroll has made an impact in a host of Tiger athletic programs since arriving on the scene.

“Abby’s basketball IQ is off the charts and her athleticism sets her apart,” proclaimed Looman. “She is our floor general and will be a defensive leader.”

Freshman Taylor Dye is a dynamic speedster and the 5-3 combination guard has potential to have a high ceiling as a youngster who will flourish in the program.

“Taylor brings speed and energy and will be a primary ball handler,” noted Looman. “The sky is the limit for Taylor.”

Kayla Cellura is another freshman who will start for the Tigers.

A versatile 5-9 forward who can play on the wing, Cellura looks to be able to contribute in a variety of ways with her skills and poise.

Perimeter shooting was a team weakness last year and Kayla Cellura can help in that area, along with Carthen, and junior McKayla Hardwick.

“I think Kayla can do it all,” stressed Looman. “She is solid from the perimeter, can put the ball on the floor and attack, and has a nice skill set in the post. Kayla can also defend any position.”

Another varsity newcomer who can help on shooting the ball is 5-3 freshman guard Mackenzie Sweeney. She is yet another sound athlete who can handle the ball, defend and is unselfish.

“Mackenzie is a strong defender who reads the floor well,” emphasized Looman. “She handles pressure well and knows how to get her shot.”

This year’s club will play more transition basketball and use its speed.

“I think we have pretty strong guards on both ends that will get better and better as the season progresses,” explained Looman. “Running what we do through them on the offensive end will be key. Working our transition game and getting out to run when we can will open a lot of opportunities for quick looks at the hoop.”

“A lot of what we want to do is about how we play in space - playing in transition, proper spacing on the offensive end, and guarding in space on the defensive end,” commented Looman.

The young guards and wings handled North Olmsted’s switch to a 1-3-1 half-court zone well in the opener.

“Working on the daily fundamentals that support the concepts we want to play with will be huge for our growth while repetition and refinement will make us a better team,” said Looman. “Getting everyone on the same page and supporting our maturation process will only enhance what we can accomplish.”

“Offensively, if it’s a five-out or a three-outlook, what are we trying to achieve - playing with proper spacing, getting downhill, and making the right read after we attack will be incredibly important,” stated Looman.

“We want to be aggressive and attacking on both ends of the floor,” Looman said. “On both offense and defense, we want to be able to run multiple looks that are built around the same concepts.”

“Defensively, we will play with some pressure and allow our (man-to-man) principals to be carried through our full and half-court defense,” Looman explained. “We will mix in some zone, but we will primarily be a man-to-man team.”

Senior guards Taylor Wilson (5-5) and Iyana Gramajo (5-4) are back after playing junior varsity in 2021.

Wilson and Hardwick, a 5-7 junior forward, both saw limited varsity action in 2021. Hardwick also played some JV hoops, along with 5-8 junior forward Kar’Lynn Golphin.

According to Looman, Golphin may see action in the player rotation along with the promising freshman duo of Riley Velican (a 5-7 guard-forward) and Tamia Andrews (5-7 forward-guard).

Twinsburg’s newcomers and freshmen shined in the opener as the Tigers forced 24 turnovers while committing six in the second half.

Showing great quickness, Dye had 15 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Carroll and Kayla Cellura each had stellar games as Carroll had 10 points, surprised with eight boards, and ran the show with three assists and three steals.

Despite some foul trouble, Kayla Cellura had 12 points, six boards and two thefts.

Velican sparked the Tigers off the bench with six points, four rebounds, and two steals while Alexis Cellura had a solid game with five points, five caroms, four steals, and took a charge.

Alexis and Kayla Cellura each buried one 3-pointer as did Dye while Carthen and Glessman helped in the paint.

“We want to build and improve,” explained Looman.

“Everyone in our program understands the mission of being better than what Twinsburg has been the last few years,” Looman added. “We have a great core group of players who are hungry for success, ones who see other sports programs in our school winning at a high level. Working to keep pace with their peers in the school is a great driving force.”

After a game at Maple Heights Nov.28, Twinsburg opens league play Nov. 30 in the home opener at 7 p.m. against Brecksville.

“Stow and Wadsworth are the top contenders in the league again until someone tops them,” said Looman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Twinsburg girls basketball goes to a full reset