Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

Guard tandem will set tone for Althoff Crusaders

Althoff hopes to improve upon a 26-win season

The Althoff Crusaders 2007-08 basketball season was one that was full of highlights as they won 26 games, went undefeated in the South Seven Conference and won a Class 3A regional championship.

But it didn't end the way coach Lori Crunk would have liked as Althoff fell in the sectional semifinals to Highland.

"It didn't end the way we wanted but give all the credit to Highland. They came out and beat us that night," Crunk said. "To finish 26-3 was a great year. It was tough because two of the seniors (Alisha) Goodwin and Stephanie (Babka) were freshmen when I started here.

"To see the looks on their faces in the locker room after the game was difficult."

Led by what could be one of the state's top backcourt tandems in juniors Jazmin Hill and Jordyne Crunk, it's the Crusaders who should again make life difficult for the opposition.

Expected to be one of the top teams in the St. Louis area -- Althoff opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Carrollton at the Alton Tournament.

In the 5-foot-10 Crunk, the daughter of coach Crunk, and 5-3 Hill, Althoff has two possible Division I players who are continuing to improve.

Crunk averaged 15.2 points a game a year ago, while Hill scored at a 14.5 clip after transferring from O'Fallon before the start of the school year.

"I can't imagine two better guards in Southern Illinois. If there are, I'll put my guards up against them," Lori Crunk said. "I've watched them play AAU ball all summer and they feed off each other and work so well together."

Sophomore Janel Whitworth (5-9) is an aggressive player who should make an impact after playing varsity last season. An excellent defender, Whitworth will play some point guard and will be a key to the Crusaders' press.

On the front line, Althoff will be tall and talented. Sophomore Amarah Brooks-Williams (6-1) returns for a second season as a starter, while 6-2 senior Carly Marcum will begin the season at power forward.

Also expected to see a lot of playing time up front will be seniors Tess Schoen (6-1) and Misha Nicholson (5-7). Nicholson's younger sister, sophomore Me'Ashah Nicholson (5-11), also should play.

"Amarah probably isn't in great basketball shape yet, but she can be an intimidating force inside," Crunk said. "That No. 4 spot is probably wide open. I've been alternating the girls seeing what's the best fit for the offense that we're running."

Junior Madeline Nesbit (6-1) is another good athlete who will help inside.

Talented freshman Diamond Suggs (5-9) will see playing time at guard and forward, while sisters Kelsey Panzau and Kayla Panzau are good outside shooters.

"We're huge up front and those girls are very good athletes as well," Crunk said. "If the coach doesn't mess it up we've got a chance to be very good."

Contact reporter Dean Criddle at 239-2665 or dcriddle@bnd.com.