News and Announcements

By BARRY NIEMEYER
Published: Monday, November 21, 2011 8:22 PM EST
Text Size
With three starters returning for 2011-12, Thomas Worthington girls basketball coach Laurie Barr is looking to fill key roles in order to make a title run after a 12-8 season last year and third-place finish (9-5) in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division.

The Cardinals open the season Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Beechcroft (7:30 p.m.), then face two OCC road games, the first at arch-rival Worthington Kilbourne Dec. 2, and then defending OCC champion Upper Arlington, Dec. 6 (both tip at 7:30 p.m.).

Thomas' home opener is Dec. 9 against Hilliard Davidson (7:30 p.m.).

Barr will rely on the leadership of 5-foot-10 junior guard-forward Frannie Frazier (12.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game), a first-team All-OCC pick last year, and seniors Whitney Miller (6-0, senior, guard-forward, 8.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg), an honorable mention all-conference selection, and Kim Hoerauf (5-6, senior, guard, 4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg), to set the tone for what appears to be a challenging first week.


Lost to graduation are Natalie Carroll (5-5, G, 12.8 ppg, 2.1 apg.), a three-year starter at guard, who is now playing at Slippery Rock University, Hayley Cross (5-6, G, 3.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, three letters), and guard China Oliver (5-1, G, 1.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, two letters).

And, with a week to go until the opener, Barr said the team's new players are fitting in nicely.

"The players are bonding as a team," she said. "We have seven new players this year, but our returning players are doing a good job of being leaders.

"Our players are working together to help each other."

Also back this year are senior Erica Morris (5-9, guard-forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and junior Mariana Bonilla (5-11, guard-forward, 1.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg).

"This is a good core from our program that is returning," said Barr. "All players received significant playing time last year and are excited to be leaders this year."

The remaining starters will be determined by their performance in practices, as she charts their workouts and uses that to make her lineup. The roster has yet to be finalized.

"Whoever is getting it done in practice gets the start," said Barr, now in her fourth year with the Cardinals.

Barr characterizes this year's squad as athletic and fast, and they're working on putting things in place to take advantage of the opportunities these qualities create.

"We've been playing well together as a team," she said, "and our communication has improved on the floor. They are utilizing their athleticism and quickness and are distributing the ball well.

"We must continue to fight and push in practice to do the things that make us better."

Barr expects Upper Arlington, the two-time OCC Central defending champion, to be a top contender for league honors again this year, with Dublin Coffman, OCC champion the two seasons prior to UA's back-to-back titles, Hilliard Davidson and the Cards, to be in a fight for supremacy.

The schedule has the Cards on the road, with eight of nine games, before the holiday break, and then enjoying seven of 10 games in the new year at Thomas Worthington.

This might test the Cards' resolve early, but it also might help them in a run at the title when they are playing at home down the stretch.

Post Author Picture

Excitement running high for Thomas

Posted by Michelle Umali at Dec 3, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
By PAUL BATTERSON

ThisWeek Community Newspapers Tuesday November 22, 2011 10:15 AM

ShareThis

Thomas Worthington High School girls basketball coach Laurie Barr is looking forward to seeing what her seniors can do this season.

The Cardinals open Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Beechcroft before traveling to Worthington Kilbourne for their OCC-Central Division opener Dec. 2.

“Last year we got some young kids some experience and moved forward as a program,” said Barr, who is in her fourth season leading the Cardinals. “That’s going to help a lot. It’s a solid senior class that is leading these kids through. They worked really hard on the court and they’re really excited about their senior season.”

Senior point guard Kim Hoerauf (5-foot-5), senior guard/forward Whitney Miller (6-0) and senior guard/forward Erica Morris (5-9) are expected to lead the team. Miller is in her fourth varsity season and Hoerauf and Morris are in their third.

Junior guards/forwards Mariana Bonilla (5-11) and Frannie Frazier (5-10), who averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals last season and was honorable mention all-district, also return.

Also on the team are junior Clare Janoski (5-5), sophomores Nya Cason (5-6) and Laura Gomez (5-7) and freshmen Jordan Fischbach and Francie Zidonis (5-5) at guard and juniors Kamille Freeman (5-11) and Ally Lucas (5-11) at forward.

Thomas lost three players from a year ago, including guard Natalie Carroll, who averaged 13 points and was honorable mention Division I all-district.

“The girls really get along well this year,” Hoerauf said. “We’re a fast team with some pretty good shooters.”

Thomas finished 12-8 overall last season, losing to eighth-seeded Newark 56-44 in the second round of the district tournament after having a first-round bye.

The Cardinals finished fourth in the OCC-Central at 9-5, behind Upper Arlington (13-1), Dublin Coffman (11-3) and Hilliard Davidson (10-4) and ahead of Central Crossing (5-9), Kilbourne (5-9), Hilliard Darby (3-11) and Westland (0-14).

Barr believes her team must improve defensively if it is to move up in the league standings.

“I don’t think we can ever be good enough on defense,” she said. “We’re trying to get better and better and we’re continuing to improve in that area. The key for us is definitely being a team and playing smart together. We need to play the entire game with the intensity we know we’re capable of playing with.”

Post Author Picture

Save the Date February 8 7:30pm Senior Night

Posted by at Jan 25, 2011 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Hello Penguins and Parents,

We know how fast time flies when it's basketball season. Still I hope  you can make time to see the Feb. 8 LadyCards home game versus Hilliard Darby. The team will be honoring three graduating seniors. Just for fun, see what interests you share with these special players (below).

Natalie Carroll:
Has been a "gym rat" for ever
Attended Kilbourne Middle School and played Cougars basketball
Has played AAU basketball for over 7 years
Been on varsity for 3 years
Currently the leading scorer and assists for the TWHS Cardinals
Aspires to play basketball in college and take up Criminal Justice and Business
Favorite food is Chinese
Favorite movie is Monsters Inc.

Hayley Cross:
Also played Varsity Soccer
Attended Kilbourne Middle School and played her 8th Grade Cougars basketball
Been on varsity for 3 years
Currently one of the main defenders for the TWHS Cardinals
Aspires to play soccer in college and take up Business
Favorite food is mac and cheese
Favorite movie is My Girl

China Oliver:
Attended Kilbourne Middle School and played Cougars basketball
Been on varsity for 2 years
Currently one of the main defenders for  the TWHS Cardinals
Aspires to become a math teacher
Favorite food is grapes
Favorite movie is Love and Basketball

A little more than two minutes remained in the fourth quarter when Upper Arlington guard Michela Paradiso caught a pass and dribbled behind the three-point line.

Thomas Worthington was coming on strong, and the tried and true strategy right out of the book of Basketball 101 was to hold the ball or make another pass to milk the clock with a five-point lead.

Paradiso did not hesitate in sinking a three-pointer as the Golden Bears pulled away for a 64-52 victory over the Cardinals last night in an Ohio Capital Conference Central Division game.

Upper Arlington (10-4, 8-1) didn't digress from its free-wheeling, aggressive style in taking a one-game lead over Thomas Worthington (10-4, 7-2) and Dublin Coffman with five conference games remaining.

The Bears hit nine three-pointers, distributed the ball like a Las Vegas blackjack dealer and played hustling help defense. Mary Corbett and Sarah Hobbs had three three-pointers each, and Paradiso had two. Paradiso led with 18 points, Corbett had 15 and Hobbs 12.

"Our shooters have clearance to shoot it," UA coach Chris Savage said. "I don't want to restrain them. Our shooters have worked too hard on their games to do that. Aggressiveness has helped us get us this far. We're more athletic and free-wheeling this year. This is the way we have to play."

The team bears little resemblance to the one that won the division championship last year. Those Bears were a power team led by a core of seniors such as Jane Windler and Ashley Stuart.

These Bears are short and slight, and there are only three seniors on the roster. Finding the open player, hitting the offensive backboard and burying three-pointers are high on the checklist.

"We have the mindset that if we're open, we're going to shoot it," Corbett said. "We emphasize ball movement, and to do that everyone has to work together to be a dominant team. We came into the year confident. We've worked hard in practice. We've bought into coach's system. Coach has trust in us."

Taking a second game from the Cardinals was difficult. UA led 48-33 with 28.6 seconds left in the third quarter on a three by Corbett, but Thomas Worthington got within 53-48 with 2:34 left in the game on two free throws by Frannie Frazier.

Hobbs said the Bears were reminded what was at stake before the game.

"Coach put Dec. 2, 2008 on the dry erase board in the locker room," she said. "That was the last time we lost in this gym. We weren't going to lose tonight. We thought we were the best team in the gym."

The Cardinals also have come back strong after losing star player Erika Rousculp to the University of Charleston. They have only three seniors, but have rising stars in Frazier, a sophomore forward, junior forward Whitney Miller and a veteran sparkplug in senior guard Natalie Carroll.

Carroll scored 18 points and Frazier 15.

"We didn't give up and made a big run at them," coach Laurie Barr said. "Our defensive rotation was good, but they were able to hit some key shots. They are a good shooting team."

mznidar@dispatch.com

By PHILLIP KING
Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 4:44 PM EST
You couldn't accuse Thomas Worthington junior Whitney Miller of being overconfident as she toed the free-throw line with a half-second to play and the game with visiting Groveport Madison knotted at 52-apiece Wednesday, Jan. 12.

"I was so scared," she admitted. "I was shaking. I didn't know what to do."

She'd already done plenty. And when she sank the toss that gave the Lady Cardinals (10-3, 7-1 Ohio Capital Conference Central Division) the 53-52 non-league thriller, it climaxed a very unlikely rally.

Thomas trailed 52-50, there were only 11 seconds to play, and the Cruisers (2-9) were shooting free throws at the other end of the court.

But Groveport missed.

The Cardinals zoomed downcourt and with a half-second left, Miller scored on a layup and was fouled.

"I thought I saw it spinning out, but it went in," she said.

"I was really nervous. I thought we were going to lose it at the end. I almost started crying."

Miller led all scorers with 18 points, joined in double figures by teammates Kim Hoerauf (12) and Frannie Frazier (10).

While it was the most dramatic game of the week for Thomas, it wasn't the most important as far as the league race.

That came Friday, Jan. 14, when the Cardinals bested Worthington Kilbourne 53-39.

The win, combined with Upper Arlington's 48-42 win over Dublin Coffman, sets up a Thomas showdown with the Golden Bears Friday, Jan. 21, at UA at 7:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington and Thomas are tied for the league lead at 7-1. The Bears won the first OCC matchup between the two squads 52-48 Dec. 7.