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The Seneca girls basketball team is in a tough situation. The Bobcats look like one of the better teams in Class AA but will their fourth-place finish keep them out of the playoffs? The Seneca boys had almost the same record and situation two years ago and were left out for a 12-10 Union City team. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two teams.

–Tom Reisenweber

Seneca Bobcats
Boys
Coach (season, record): Paul Modzelewski (7th season, 77-42)
2011-12 overall record: 3-19
2011-12 region record (place): 0-10 (sixth)
2011-12 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Luke Tarr, Masen Bensink, Bobby Lorman
Top returning players: Tanner McCall, Scott Groenendaal, Joe Stepnowski
Assistant coaches: Rich Widdowson, Warren Malarney, Greg Majchrzak
Outlook: Seneca will rely on its younger players this season with not much experience back. Luke Tarr, Masen Bensink and Bobby Lorman have graduated, leaving huge holes to fill. Tarr was voted to the all-region second team while Bensink and Lorman big contributors as well. Tanner McCall and Scott Groenendaal are returning starters and Joe Stepnowski brings senior leadership. Bryce Turner, a 6-3 senior transfer, could contribute right away. The Bobcats will need to fill its lineup out with younger players, which could make for some great competition in camp. Seneca is in a tough region that is in transition right now. Fairview is still young, while Mercyhurst Prep, North East and Northwestern have some holes to fill. Seneca could be in the mix for a playoff spot but the Bobcats will need to come together as a team quickly.

Schedule
December
7-8 Fort LeBoeuf tournament
10 Harbor Creek 7:30
21 North East* 7:30
22 St. Johns 2
27-28 Meadville tournament
January
3 Titusville* 7:30
5 at Iroquois* 7:30
8 at Fairview* 7:30
11 at Union City* 7:30
15 Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
18 at Northwestern* 7:30
22 at North East* 7:30
25 at Edgewood (Ohio) 6
26 Bishop Canevin 1:30
29 at Titusville* 7:30
February
1 Iroquois* 7:30
5 Fairview* 7:30
8 Union City* 7:30
12 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
15 Northwestern* 7:30
*Region 4 games

Girls
Coach (season, record): Steve Carter (3rd season, 29-19)
2011-12 overall record: 16-9
2011-12 region record (place): 9-5 (third)
2011-12 playoff results: Defeated Sharpsville 51-46 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals before losing to Villa Maria 56-24 in the semifinals. Seneca then lost to Greenville 36-33 in the third-place game.
Top players lost: Sarah Graham, Brooke King, Ellie Johnson, Shay Walberg, Britany Robinson
Top returning players: Megan Fish, Olivia Little, Katie Teed, Kym Braine, Amanda Sonney
Assistant coaches: Mike LaCastro, Kelli Leonard
Outlook: Seneca was hit hard by graduation after a solid season last year. The Bobcats graduated five players, including four starters. Sarah Graham is gone after being voted to the all-region first team along with Brooke King, Ellie Johnson, Shay Walberg and Britany Robinson. Seneca has some experience back to lean on. Senior point guard Megan Fish is the only returning starter, while senior Olivia Little and juniors Katie Teed, Kym Braine and Amanda Sonney could be impact players. The Bobcats have athletic ability and the drive to compete but inexperience and consistent play could be issues for Seneca. The Bobcats will be young and are in a competitive region with fellow Erie County teams. Seneca will need several younger players to step up right away to stay competitive this year.

Schedule
December
7-8 Meadville tournament
12 Franklin 7:30
17 Youngsville 7:30
19 Iroquois* 7:30
January
5 at North East* 7:30
7 Union City* 7:30
10 at Fairview* 7:30
12 at Harbor Creek 1 p.m.
14 Northwestern* 7:30
16 Cochranton 7:30
17 at General McLane* 7:30
21 at Girard* 7:30
24 at Iroquois* 7:30
25 Bishop Canevin 7:30
28 North East* 7:30
30 Central Tech 7:30
31 at Union City* 7:30
February
4 Fairview* 7:30
7 at Northwestern* 7:30
11 General McLane* 7:30
14 Girard* 7:30
*Region 4 games

Sunday: Sharon

–Tom Reisenweber

Bobby Lorman

Lorman has helped fill the offensive void left by standouts Matt Brozewicz and Eric Sonney Jr. this season with 11 points per game.

The 6-foot 2-inch senior guard/forward erupted for 19 points on four 3-pointers in a 71-46 win over Saegertown.

Lorman is second on the team with 7.3 rebounds and 3 steals per game.

The Bobcats head to Meadville next week for a holiday tournament to wrap up 2011.

Poll results below:

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Seneca Bobcats
Boys
Coach (season, record): Paul Modzelewski (6th season 74-42)
2010-11 overall record: 17-5
2010-11 region record (place): 6-4 (fourth)
2010-11 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Matt Brozewicz, Eric Sonney Jr.
Top returning players: Luke Tarr, Masen Bensink, Bobby Lorman
Assistant coaches: Rich Widdowson, Warren Mularney
Outlook: Seneca will have a completely new look this year with eight seniors graduated, including all five starters from last year’s 17-win team. The Bobcats were controversially left out of the postseason last winter and will need numerous underclassmen to step up this year to get in. The two biggest losses are Matt Brozewicz and Eric Sonney Jr. Brozewicz was one of the top players in District 10 over the past few years, while Sonney is a strong inside presence the Bobcats will miss. Luke Tarr, Masen Bensink and Bobby Lorman saw some playing time last year and will be counted on to lead a young and inexperienced team. Seneca’s rebuilding process won’t be easy in a region featuring tough teams like Mercyhurst Prep, North East and Fairview. The Bobcats will need its underclassmen to step up in a big way this winter to make a push to the playoffs.

Schedule
December
9-10 Fort LeBoeuf tournament
14 at Saegertown 7:30
17 at Lakeview 2:30
19 at Reynolds 7:30
22 at Greenville 7:30
27-28 Meadville tournament
January
4 Conneaut Valley 7:30
13 at North East* 7:30
16 Union City 7:30
17 at Northwestern* 7:30
20 Iroquois* 7:30
24 Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
27 at Fairview* 7:30
31 at Conneaut Valley 7:30
February
3 North East* 7:30
4 at Sharpsville 2:30
7 Northwestern* 7:30
10 at Iroquois* 7:30
14 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7:30
17 Fairview* 7:30

Girls
Coach (season, record): Steve Carter (2nd season, 13-10)
2010-11 overall record: 13-10
2010-11 region record (place): 10-4 (third)
2010-11 playoff results: Lost 44-38 to Sharpsville in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Kayla Pound, Kaitlyn Patton
Top returning players: Megan Fish, Brooke King, Shay Walberg, Ellie Johnson, Sarah Graham, Britany Robinson
Assistant coaches: Kelli Pittner, Mike LaCastro
Outlook: Seneca made strides last winter under new head coach Steve Carter to make the playoffs. The Bobcats lost Kayla Pound and Kaitlynn Patton to graduation but the Bobcats’ program is on the rise. Seneca has an experience group back but their task won’t be easy as the rest of the solid teams in Region 4 didn’t lose much to graduation. Seneca returns all-region first-team selection Sarah Graham, along with Megan Fisher, Brooke King, Shay Walberg, Ellie Johnson and Britany Robinson. Katie Teed and Kym Braine were junior varsity players last winter but could see some varsity action this season. With a strong core back, the Bobcats are looking to improve on its 13-win season and return to the postseason. It won’t be easy but Seneca’s experience could pay off.

Schedule
December
9-10 Meadville tournament
12 at North East 7:30
15 Iroquois* 7:30
17 Sharpsville 2:30
19 at Union City* 7:30
21 Cambridge Springs* 7:30
23 at Girard* 7:30
29 Eisenhower 7:30
January
5 Maplewood* 7:30
9 Villa Maria* 7:30
12 at Northwestern* 7:30
17 Reynolds 7:30
19 Conneaut Valley 7:30
23 at Iroquois* 7:30
26 Union City* 7:30
February
2 at Cambridge Springs* 7:30
3 at Franklin 7:30
6 Girard* 7:30
9 at Maplewood* 7:30
13 at Villa Maria* 7:30
16 Northwestern* 7:30

Later today: Sharon

– Tom Reisenweber