The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake grad Andrews named JCU coach
Lake Catholic graduate and Willowick resident Beth Andrews was named head coach of the John Carroll women’s basketball team on Nov. 5.
Since graduating from John Carroll in 2015, Beth Andrews’ sights have always been on coaching.
Five years later and at age 27, Andrews couldn’t be more excited of the job she’s secured. On Nov. 5, the Lake Catholic graduate and Willowick resident had the interim labeled taken off and she was officially named head coach of the Blue Streaks’ women’s basketball team.
Andrews served as the interim coach after Kelly Morrone accepted the job as the head coach at Division I Merrimack College in July. Previously, Andrews spent two seasons on Mor
rone’s staff as an assistant coach. She also spent time as a coach at Lake Catholic and on the AAU circuit, but the JCU job was definitely a target job for her.
“And especially the D-III level,” said Andrews about
what attracted her to the job. “We have so many hidden gem-type players at JCU. I love this level and I love John Carroll.”
The first Blue Streaks team under Andrews’ watch should be a loaded bunch in 2021. Last season, JCU was 22-5, and 15-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Returning are six seniors, including Olivia Nagy, who last season was the OAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Nagy averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.68 blocks. In separate games last season, she had 28 rebounds and 11 blocks.
Other top returners include seniors Abby Adler (7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists) and Mentor graduate Nicole Huffington (14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds).
The big question is when will JCU and the rest of the OAC begin the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. At JCU, all classes are currently all via remote because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, but it appears the OAC’s winter season for sports will begin after the holidays.
Until then, Andrews can’t have access to her team for offseason conditioning. That’s in the hands of JCU strength and conditioning coach Tim Roberston and her upperclassmen.
“Tim does such a great job,” said Andrews. “And our six seniors, they have planned and worked in a preseason with the rest of the team. They’ve respected the process and are making the best of what is not an easy situation for anyone.”
It’s understandable Andrews is counting down the days when she and her team can gather at JCU’s Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center for their first practice.
“Any coach wants to be in the gym with their team,” said Andrews. “But I’ve put pressure on them that this is their offseason. It’s up to them to put the work in.”
On the flip side, Andrews is prepared to put in her work in an effort to continue to build on what Marrone began.
“Kelly did a great job with recruiting and finding what works,” she said. “Now it’s my job to continue doing that and finding athletes that are dedicated to what we’re doing.”
At Lake Catholic, Andrews was a standout post player, and continued that play at JCU, where she scored more than 1,100 points and holds the school record for career offensive rebounds (338).