Lake girls basketball team looking to rebound

Sure, the Blue Streaks had a bit of a down year last year, finishing the season 6-18 overall with a 3-9 mark in the Federal League, good for sixth place.

But we all know the saying, right? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And records can be deceiving. Lake split its final four games, and in a Div. III district semifinal game against undefeated No. 2 seed Medina Highland, the 29th-seeded Blue Streaks shook the Hornets, pushing them in a 53-48 loss.

Now, a year later, Lake is back, and while the Blue Streaks lost several letterwinners, they return the core of a team with a lot of talent.

With another year of experience under their collective belt, the senior duo of Savanna Horning and Hayden Croyle comprises one of the best backcourts in the area. In 2024-25, Croyle averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.5 steals. Horning, meanwhile, averaged 12.9 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals. Not too shabby.

Joining Horning and Croyle are three sophomore letterwinners: forward Allie Kerscher (3.6 ppg), forward Kaitlyn Josef (2.8 ppg) and guard Jayden Collier (1.9 ppg).

But that’s not all. The Blue Streaks also welcome some new faces into the fold, including three freshmen who have Ashley Komo, entering her fifth season as Lake head coach and 13th overall with the program, raving about their potential.

Komo says guard Audrey Goebelt “brings physicality and aggression along with ball handling and ability to shoot from behind the arc.” Goebelt is joined by fellow guard Bella Walchalk, and the write-up on her is similarly glowing.

“She has high basketball IQ, with the ability to adjust to opponents quickly,” says Komo. “A solid defender who understands positioning and angles.”

Last but certainly not least is point guard Lily Phillips, who Komo believes possesses quickness, “athleticism and the ability to get the ball in the bucket.”

Still, the Blue Streaks have some concerns, and one is a preponderance of youth. There are worse problems to have, however.

“Our greatest weakness will be our youth and growing pains that come with it,” says Komo. “We have two seniors and no juniors in the high school program this year, so we are looking forward to seeing how our seniors lead our group throughout the winter.”

With time, growing pains will subside. Plus, the talent on this squad is matched only by the girls’ resolve.

“Our freshman class has brought not only more talent, but a group of girls who are determined to work hard not just in games, but practices as well,” says Komo. “We will continue to improve throughout the season due to our efforts in practice, and our youth gaining experience throughout the season.”

Komo feels that her squad’s strength is in its defense, and so far the Blue Streaks look to have improved over last season. Granted, it is a small sample size as Lake is 1-2 thus far. The Blue Streaks throttled Boardman on the road by a score of 46-27 to open the season. Next, they dropped a 45-42 heartbreaker at Ellet, a team that went 20-5 last year, before running into perennial Suburban League powerhouse Wadsworth, which dispatched Lake 49-15.

Of course, it doesn’t help when leading scorer Croyle is on the bench to start the season as she recovers from a minor injury. In her absence, Horning has responded admirably, scoring 21 and 22 points in Lake’s first two contests.

When asked how the Blue Streaks will do in the grueling Federal League this year, Komo believes there are arguments for and against just about every team, and Lake, which went 11-1 in 2023-24, should be in the conversation.

“I believe we should be in the top half of the Federal League, and our goal is to compete for a Federal League title once again,” Komo says.