Chippewa Valley girls basketball focuses on defense in 2009-10 campaign By Sue Teggart WARREN — Being in the gym at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley is a familiar feeling for Jackie Maurer Just 11 years ago, Maurer was player on the Big Reds girls basketball team. Now she looks at the team from a new position — varsity head coach. “To be able to come back and do something that I love to do, and I love to play basketball. … To give back as a coach is special,” said Maurer, who after graduation went on to play two years for Macomb Community College’s women basketball team. Maurer took over the reins from Dave Prestininzi, who had the team for two seasons. After serving as the JV coach for past eight seasons, she said the transition was very smooth. After finishing 10-11 overall last season, the Big Reds are off to a good start at 8-5 overall, 3-2 in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division. Maurer said the key has been playing consistently. “We came off two really great wins off (Utica) Eisenhower and (Utica) Stevenson,” Maurer said about the squad’s Jan. 19 and Jan. 21 wins. “We’re starting to play a lot stronger defensively. We’re starting to execute what our game plan is every night.” “I think the past few games, we started to click,” junior captain Brooke Boening said. “We’re all starting to focus and realize our potential.” Heading into the second half of league play, Maurer said she expects more of the same from her squad, especially defensively. They’ll need defensive toughness if they’re going to avenge their only two league losses, which came at the hands of Grosse Pointe North (5-0) and Fraser (2-3). “I think (the) second half of the league, we’re looking at making a statement defensively. Defense is our No. 1 priority — always going in and shutting the others team’s top players down and always making sure we’re contesting all shots. Rebounding is our second (priority).” The Big Reds get their defense started with Boening. “Brooke is probably one of our most consistent defenders,” Maurer said about the tenacious point guard. “She is usually the one I put on our opponent’s best guard.” Helping out on the defensive end is senior Emily Cizmas, who was on the team two years ago but didn’t play last season. Cizmas averages 11 rebounds per game. “She helps us tremendously,” Maurer said of Cizmas. “She and Nicolina (Vitale) work so well together. They know where each other are going to be. She’s our leading rebounder. She’s just a magnet to the basketball.” Cizmas and Vitale — a four-year varsity member — provide a strong tandem in the post. “She’s stepped up and been a leader this year,” Maurer said of the 6-foot-1 Vitale. “She’s good about telling her teammates where to be or what they need to do, or trying to create something to help us out. She’s stepped up in some big games for us.” Besides bringing a strong defense, Maurer said the Big Reds’ main goal this year to give themselves a chance to win. “I would like to finish as one of the top three teams in our league,” Maurer said. “We have to come out and prove ourselves every night.” |
