Loaded with talent, Avon girls look to win NCCC, challenge in Class L

Avon senior Michaela Marcus in last year’s NCCC championship game.

AVON – This could be the year that the Avon High girls basketball team puts a team on the floor that many have dreamed about for years. Injuries have impacted the Falcons the past two seasons. 

The Falcons have won 36 games over the past two season and captured a piece of their fourth NCCC championship in six years last winter, going 15-1 in the regular season along with co-champion Bolton. 

But they haven’t had the players to make a run in the CIAC Class L tournament, primarily due to injuries.

This winter, Avon has every starter from last year’s 20-4 team back – except for one who averaged under five points a game.

“Hopefully, there are all back and healthy,” said Avon High coach Frank Waters, who will be coaching his 17th season. “Last year came to an abrupt halt losing two all conference players with season-ending injuries.” 

In last year’s NCCC Tournament, senior point guard Anna Schrecengost tore her ACL, ending her season. She led the Falcons in scoring (14.0), assists (113) and steals (53). The All-State guard was second on the team in three-point shots (73) and third in rebounding (5.4). 

In the same tournament, All-NCCC 6-foot-3 sophomore Abby Laszewski (11.0 ppg, team-leading 7.4 rpg, 43 blocks) tore a ligament in her foot. And for the second year in a row, the Falcons went the entire season without 5-foot-9 junior forward Olivia Welter, who tore her ACL in the first game of the season. She also tore an ACL as a freshman in soccer. 

“We should be good,” Waters said. “We could be very good if we stay healthy. We have a good mix of ball handlers and shooters. We have size and athleticism.” 

Laszewski will be in the middle with 5-foot-8 junior Shannon Curry (7.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Welter at the forward positions. Curry may be the team’s best defender and Welter has the potential to be an all-league player. At guard will be Schrecengost and junior Michaela Marcus (9.8 ppg, team-high 94 three-point shots). 

And there is plenty of help on the bench. Senior tri-captain Lauren Miller will likely be one of the first off the bench at guard or forward. Madison Mains is a 6-foot-1 senior post player while tri-captain Caroline Schaefer, an All-State field hockey player and guard Emma Hartman are ready to go. Senior Julia Schrecengost, sophomores Alex Benedict and Kaley Sherman will provide relief at guard. 

“We can go 11 (players) deep,” Waters said. 

The challenge may lay in getting the girls to improve over the course of the season. The NCCC has some strong teams that should challenge Avon such as Granby, Ellington and Suffield. And there are some teams that are weak. 

“We have a lot of ability. We like to run and we’re at our best in transition,” Waters said. “Will we be tough enough to play with the intensity we need in the state tournament? I’ll be looking to push the kids.” 

For his four non-league games, Waters has scheduled contests with Torrington, the defending Naugatuck Valley League champion, Hall, Glastonbury and either Tolland or Northwest Catholic on day of Avon’s annual Christmas Tournament. 

The Class L state tournament will be no picnic. Defending state champion Capital Prep, which destroyed teams in the Class S tournament a year ago, has moved up to Class L along with Weaver. Defending Class L champion Farmington looks strong again, too.

Avon opens the season Friday on the road at Coventry. Next week, the Falcons play back-to-back games with Hall and Granby for the home opener on Dec. 20. 

AVON
Last year: 20-4, 15-1 NCCC co-champions. Lost in Class L 1st round to Bristol Central, 57-26
Coach: Frank Waters, 17th season
Key losses: Colleen Norton and Alana Pulling
Top players: All-State G Anna Schrecengost (14.0 ppg, 73 three-point goals, 113 assists, 53 steals, 5.4 rpg), G.Michaela Marcus (9.8 ppg, team-high 94 three-point shots, 36 assists), G/F Lauren Miller, G Alex Benedict, G. Kaley Sherman, F Olivia Welter (6.0 ppg), F Shannon Curry (7.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg), All-NCCC C Abby Laszewski (11.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 43 blocks), C Madison Mains (2.3 ppg), G/F Caroline Schaefer, G Emma Hartman, G Julia Schrecengost
Outlook: A deep team with good size and athleticism that is a favorite to win the NCCC championship and contend in Class L, if they can stay healthy.
Of note: Last year was the first time since 2009 that Avon won at least 20 games in a single season.

2013-14 Avon High girls basketball
Schedule
Games begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise listed

December – 13: at Coventry; 19: at Hall; 20: GRANBY; 28: GLASTONBURY; 30: Avon Holiday Tournament (N.W. Catholic or Tolland)
January – 3: at Suffield; 7: ELLINGTON; 10: at Somers; 14: at Stafford; 17: CANTON; 21: at SMSA; 24: BOLTON; 28: at Windsor Locks; 31: ENFIELD
February – 4: EAST WINDSOR; 7: at Ellington; 11: SUFFIELD; 13: TORRINGTON; 17: at Granby