The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
BLUE STREAKS SET TO OPEN SEASONS
JCU men, women have first games this weekend
Ready or not, it’s go-time for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at John Carroll.
That is significant for a few reasons.
First, the teams have been together practicing — since Jan. 4, to be exact — for the first time since last season.
Second, the JCU campus had been in a virtual shutdown mode since the fall to Jan. 4 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Classes were virtual, and that meant no offseason conditioning for the basketball programs.
Coaches Pete Moran of the men’s team and first-year coach Beth Andrews of the women’s side are doing their best with the hands they’ve been dealt.
There’s been nearly three weeks of practices, and a few intrasquad scrimmages. On Jan. 22, it’s showtime.
JCU and the Ohio Athletic Conference embark on a basketball season unlike any other. The Blue Streaks men host Heidelberg on Jan. 22, then travel to play the Student Princes on Jan. 23. The women play at Heidelberg Jan. 23 then host the next night.
“We are making great strides, and we’ve seen drastic improvements with the player’s physical endurance,” said Moran. “Our No. 1 priority is balancing their stamina. They know how to play and schemewise they are picking things up quickly, but they haven’t played a game in a gym in a long time.”
It’s been close to a year — Feb. 29 — since the JCU men played in the OAC championship game and lost to Mount Union, 8574. There will be an OAC title on the line this winter, early spring for the men and women.
The OAC has set up a 12game season for each team. Games are Fridays and Saturdays for six straight weeks until the end of February with the teams rotating home and away. The OAC tournaments begin March 1.
Andrews’ squad could be the favorite to win the OAC, if they are ready and in shape. The former JCU player and native of Lake County is confident because all five starters from last year’s 23-5 team return.
“I’m very lucky with this team,” said Andrews, who was promoted from assistant to JCU’s head coach following Kelly Marrone’s departure. “We’ve got a lot of experience, and the girls have made amazing improvements (since early January). Our seniors are holding the rest of the team
accountable ... We only have 12 games, so let’s go win 12.”
It’s starts with reigning OAC women’s player of the year Olivia Nagy, who as a sophomore center a year ago averaged 15.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and blocked 132 shots.
Mentor grad Nicole Huffington — one of eight seniors — wasn’t far behind
with averages of 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Sarah Sprecher (10.3 points per game a year ago), Dani Carlson (9.0 points) and Abby Adler (8.2 points) will provide more scoring and senior leadership.
In 2019-20, the JCU women didn’t win the OAC tournament and were denied an NCAA D-III bid. That was the also the case for the 19-9 men’s team that came up short in the OAC tournament title game.
Gone are brothers Ryan and Jimmy Berger (who combined to average more than 30 points a season ago) and point guard Sean Flannery, who was steady as DIII point guards come.
Moran will rely on a senior class that consists of guard Jackson Sartain — who averaged 16.3 points per game last season — plus forwards Luke Hippler, Emil Hess of Berkshire and Corbin Anthony of Madison.
“We’re going to make the most of the season as seniors,” said Hippler. “Just an opportunity to do something special, and bring a group of guys along with us. This is a crazy time, and we’re not exactly sure what to do, but we’re doing our best.”
Even though Sartain is
a senior, he plans to use an NCAA waiver and play in 2021-22. There’s a belief among him and the rest of JCU’s team they can content in the OAC.
“I know I believe in this team,” said Sartain.
Under longtime coach Mike Moran and now his son Pete, the Blue Streaks have been known for their five-in, five-out rotation, but this season JCU could extend that to as many as 12 or even 15 players.
“We have to play a lot of guys, and everyone on our team knows that,” said Moran. “I told them all of them to be ready.”
Underclassmen expected to see significant time in JCU’s rotation include the likes of guards Eric Hanna of Olmsted Falls and William Wallace and forward Mason Trubisky of Mentor.
“I think Mason can bring a lot of energy to our team and we’re going to need that without fans,” said Sartain.
Fans or media aren’t allowed at JCU home games. Prior to games, players, coaches, officials and game workers will be tested. According to JCU sports information director Joe Ginely, the school will re-access COVID protocols on March 1.