Alex Breski
Iroquois senior Alex Breski is capping her high school basketball career on a high note this season.
The 5-foot 7-inch guard is averaging 8.3 points per game but has scored in double digits six times out of 13 games. Breski scored 19 points in a 69-24 win over Union City, which is a season-high for the Braves this year.
She also had 14 points Monday in a 41-28 win over Maplewood and has been a big part of Iroquois’ basketball program throughout her four-year career.
Poll results:
Iroquois Braves
Boys
Coach (season, record): Brad Bresee (8th season, 54-101)
2011-12 overall record: 10-12
2011-12 region record (place): 3-7 (fifth)
2011-12 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: John Drozdowski, Parrish Brown
Top returning players: Colton Edinger, Joe Lobenthal, John Finke, Mike Hasberry, Joe Brown, Jaydon Cagnoli
Assistant coaches: Art Laird, Tim Lawrence, Adam Majczyk
Outlook: Iroquois made big strides last season to nearly miss out on a .500 season. The Braves will have two replace two starters but they are mostly intact heading into this season. John Drozdowski and Parrish Brown graduated, leaving two big holes to fill. Drozdowski averaged eight points and nine rebounds per game, while Brown was a solid defender. Iroquois returns Colton Edinger, Joe Lobenthal, John Finke, Mike Hasberry, Joe Brown and Jaydon Cagnoli. Edinger was voted to the all-region first team last year after scoring 15 points per game and pulling down five rebounds per game. Lobenthal scored 10 points and dished out three assists per game as a sophomore to be voted to the all-region second team. Finke, Hasberry, Brown and Cagnoli could also be a big-time contributors as Finke is a returning starter and the other three could compete for starting jobs. Matt McLean and Brandon Roda could contribute as well as they move up to the varsity level. The Braves have experience, athleticism and depth but a lack of height could be key, especially when they play Mercyhurst Prep. The Braves have to be tenacious on the boards and play solid defense to break through and finish above .500.
Schedule
December
11 at Cochranton 7:30
12 at Maplewood 7:30
17 Rocky Grove 7:30
21 at Fairview* 7:30
22 at Harbor Creek 2:30
27-28 Iroquois tournament
January
3 at North East* 7:30
5 Seneca* 7:30
9 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
11 Northwestern* 7:30
15 at Union City* 7:30
18 Titusville* 7:30
22 Fairview* 7:30
25 Lakeview 7:30
26 Corry 7:30
29 North East* 7:30
February
1 at Seneca* 7:30
5 Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
8 at Northwestern* 7:30
12 Union City* 7:30
15 at Titusville* 7:30
*Region 4 games
Girls
Coach (season): Scott McFeely (5th season)
2011-12 overall record: 6-16
2011-12 region record (place): 4-10 (sixth)
2011-12 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: None
Top returning players: Alex Breski, Ashley Cabaday, Kelsey Miller, Alyssa Jackson, Caitlyn Krahe, Mikayla Cagnoli, Rosemary Campbell, Allie Kaliszewski
Assistant coaches: Jeff Bonniger, Tom Crozier
Outlook: Iroquois could be an interesting team this season. The Braves didn’t lose anyone to graduation and that experience could result in more wins this winter. Alex Breski led Iroquois in scoring last year and could be a leader this year along with senior guard Ashley Cabaday. Juniors Kelsey Miller, Alyssa Jackson, Caitlyn Krahe and Mikayla Cagnoli could be contributors as well as sophomores Rosemary Campbell and Allie Kaliszewski. Campbell was the Braves’ second-leading scorer and leading rebounder last year and could emerge as one of the top players in the region this year. Iroquois has size and depth but its success will still come down to clutch shooting. With Fairview, General McLane and North East coming down from Class AAA, Region 4 will be competitive every night. The Braves will need to hit big shots and start pulling out close wins to make a run at a postseason spot.
Schedule
December
11 Lakeview 7:30
13 at Rocky Grove 7:30
19 at Seneca* 7:30
22 at Harbor Creek 2:30
27-28 Iroquois tournament
January
3 at Fairview* 7:30
7 Northwestern* 7:30
10 Girard* 7:30
14 at General McLane* 7:30
17 at North East* 7:30
21 at Union City* 7:30
22 at Conneaut 7:30
24 Seneca* 7:30
28 Fairview* 7:30
30 at Maplewood 7:30
31 at Northwestern* 7:30
February
4 at Girard* 7:30
7 General McLane* 7:30
11 North East* 7:30
14 Union City* 7:30
18 at East 7:30
*Region 4 games
Saturday: Jamestown
–Tom Reisenweber
Iroquois Braves
Boys
Coach (season, record): Brad Bresee (7th season, 44-89)
2010-11 overall record: 8-14
2010-11 region record (place): 1-9 (tied for fifth)
2010-11 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top player lost: Thomas Wheeler
Top returning players: Colton Edinger, Joe Lobenthal, Parrish Brown, John Drozdowski, John Finke, Joe Brown
Assistant coaches: Jordan Eller, Art Laird, Tim Lawrence, Adam Majczyk, Mat Turner
Outlook: Iroquois has three returning starters and plenty of experience back this winter. The Braves lost a big-time player in Thomas Wheeler to graduation. Wheeler averaged 11.8 points per game and was a three-year starter and coach Brad Bresee will need several players to step up in his place. Colton Edinger is a two-year starter and averaged 12.4 points per game as a sophomore, while Joe Lobenthal, Parrish Brown, John Drozdowski, John Finke and Joe Brown return after contributing on the varsity last year. Iroquois is looking to get back to contender status after moving up from Class A to AA four years ago. The Braves were on the rise in Class A before the jump in classification. Iroquois has a tough non-region schedule and could be a surprising team in a tough region, which features Mercyhurst Prep, Fairview and North East.
Schedule
December
9-10 Conneaut Valley tournament
14 at Fort LeBoeuf 7:30
17 at Rocky Grove 3:30
20 at George Junior 7:30
22 Eisenhower 7:30
28-29 Iroquois tournament
January
9 at Youngsville 7:30
13 Fairview* 7:30
17 North East* 7:30
20 at Seneca* 7:30
24 Northwestern* 7:30
27 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
30 at Lakeview 7:30
31 at Union City 7:30
February
3 at Fairview* 7:30
7 at North East* 7:30
10 Seneca* 7:30
11 Harbor Creek 7:30
14 at Northwestern* 7:30
17 Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
Girls
Coach (season): Scott McFeely (5th season)
2010-11 overall record: 6-16
2010-11 region record (place): 2-12 (seventh)
2010-11 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Rebecca Cooper, Tyler Kosko
Top returning players: Alex Breski, Ashley Cabaday, Shelby Olson, Kelsey Miller, Tori McAllistor, Mikayla Cagnoli, A.J. Jackson, Caitlyn Krahe, Gabby Malinowski
Assistant coaches: Jeff Bonniger, Tom Crozier
Outlook: Iroquois has plenty of experience back from last season. The Braves lost solid players in Rebecca Cooper and Tyler Kosko but Iroquois has experience to build on. Alex Breski, Ashley Cabaday, Shelby Olson and Kelsey Miller are returning starters from last year. Breski was the Braves’ second-leading scorer last year, while Cabaday was third. Olson led the Braves in assists and steals, while Miller lead the way in rebounds and blocks. Iroquois will also have Tori McAllistor, Mikayla Cagnoli, A.J. Jackson, Caitlyn Krahe and Gabby Malinowski back after receiving varsity experience last winter. The Braves are looking to build on last year’s 6-win season and get into the double digits this winter. With tough teams like Villa Maria and Girard in its region, Iroquois will have a tough time competing for a playoff spot but winning games won’t be as important as developing the program. The Braves are young but with enough hardwork, they could be a headache for opponents each night.
Schedule
December
12 at Conneaut Valley 7:30
15 at Seneca* 7:30
19 at Cambridge Springs* 7:30
21 Girard* 7:30
27-28 Iroquois tournament
January
5 at Northwestern* 7:30
7 at Tidioute Charter 6:30
9 at Maplewood* 7:30
12 Union City* 7:30
16 Villa Maria* 7:30
21 at Conneaut (Ohio) 7:30
23 Seneca* 7:30
24 at Harbor Creek 7:30
26 Cambridge Springs* 7:30
30 at Conneaut Lake 7:30
February
2 at Girard* 7:30
3 Youngsville 7:30
6 at Villa Maria* 7:30
9 Northwestern* 7:30
13 Maplewood* 7:30
16 at Union City* 7:30
Monday: Jamestown
– Tom Reisenweber
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