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2007-2008 NEO High School Preview
Pre-Season Top Teams (posted 12/5/07)

1. Hathaway Brown- Defending Division II finalists.  Off to a great start 2-0 with a quality win over Shaker Hts.  This team is deep in the post with six kids on the roster 6'0 or taller, and another four 5'10 or taller.  They boast at least four legitimate Division 1 propsects in Princeton recruit Angela Groves, sharp shooting Lauren Ryan, Mylon Woods and Alexis Dobbs in their starting line up, with 6'3 Alison Nahra and 6'3 Ashley Benedict adding size and depth.  The question is will they be able to overcome the loss of Kirsten Holmes, a 5'6 mity might, whose quickness and solid defense will be missed.

2. Regina- Shay Selby and Mercedes Mitchell have their hands full in keeping Regina at the top.  So far they have met the challenge in defeating a fiesty Kenmore team, and a National Power in Notre Dame.  We won't have to wait long to see who is really #1 as they have a game with Hathaway Brown on December 15, 2007.

3. Shaker Hts- Lillian Pitts, Karisma Penn (Sporting News pre-season High School All Americans), Jasmine Jones and company are going to be a force in Divison 1 this year.  They have speed, size, quickness, experience everything but a ring.  This might be the year they get it done.

4. Solon- Solon is for real, and with the addition of super studdess Kirsten Holmes, and the potential return of Shelley Warren to go along with a much improved Kathleen Russell and Erin Wiesneer, as well as the services of Dona Bonda and Kaitlynn Zoller  look for Solon to match up with Shaker to decide who is going to state.

5. North Canton Hoover- Brittnay Orban and company are just solid and get after you.  They play a big time national schedule and will probably end up with a few losses, but don't let their record fool you this group knows how to play together.

6. Chanel- A scrappy well coached team looking for respect.  They have started to make a name for themselves, but are going to have to sneak a win against one of the bigger more established teams before people will take them seriously and not just another Division 4 little fish.

7. Brunswick- Allie Martin and company are the early  surprise of the season.  They are not fancy, just hard working and getting the job done.  They may be changing the order of respect on the west side.

8. Shaw- With a 3-0 record they deserve some respect.  They have a solid storting group with Jenae Willis, Marquia Weakly and Lenay Sims leading the way.  Add to the equation Jasmine Germany who transfered in from Mayfield, and you have the makings of a ligitimate run to the top.  We will see how legit they are when they match up with Shaker this week.

9. North Olmstead- Out of the gate to a 3-0 start.  Kori Weidt and company are serious and looking to take no prisoners.  The West side is up for grabs and they are looking to grab all they can.

10.  Rocky River- after two solid years of big time wins, Rocky River has established itself as one of the top tier teams and this season is no different.  They have a host of young talent like Hanah Pempus that seems to be stepping up to meet the challenge..
11. Elyria- Always tough and always ready, this year behing high scoring Honesty King, Elyria is again back at the top.

12. Glenville- A solid core of young ladies behind Dona Willis, Sabrina Wynn, and Tierra Hopson this team will do well in the LEL, but can they beat the powers like Shaker Hts or Mentor?? Only time will tell.

13. Chardon- A surprise from the far east.  Chardon always has a good record, but then they get beat early in the playoffs.  This year with the addition of Erin Clancy and Katie Collins along with Erin Hollinger, the team should have some staying power.  We will see come playoff time.

14. Akron Hoban- Alwyas well coached, hardnosed and tough.  Ths year is no different.  Look for them to move steadily up the rankings.

15. Firestone- They have hit sum bumps along the road so far without their center Cari Guyton (ACL tear) but ADIDAS All American and Dayton recruit, Cierra Harris, will have to keep stepping up and the team will continue to need her consistant double double nights as she leads these young kids.  Looks like she is their best hope if the team is to stay in the top twenty. The team is struggling early but the ship is in good hands!

16. Kenmore- They looked impressive against Regina.  They are a team full of quick athletic guards, but can a team with no true post gme ever win on the big screen.

17. Revere- With a legit 6'5 kid in the post they can make things happen.  Looked inconsistent this weekend, bu tit is early and Ms. Nance is just getting started.

18. Lutheran East- Burke and company are rebuilding, but with a quality transfere from East Tech, they may not have to wait long to be back at the top of the charts.

19. Avon- Young and unheard of but they look like they might be for real this year.  A few more games will determine whether they are for real, or a just a real pretender.

20. Stow- So far it is hard to determine just how good they will be, but coaching is keeping them in the top twenty for now.