Champion High School girls’ basketball preview
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Champion welcomes a new coaching staff led by Sean Zekkour, who spent three years as Warren JFK's head coach two years ago.
Zekkour expects his team to continue the program's winning tradition.
"We expect a top-3 league finish and to compete for a district title," says Zekkour. "We have some great underclassmen as who'll all be playing extended varsity basketball for the first time and we're hoping the moment is never too big for them. They'll be asked to fill new roles and have higher expectations than the previous season, so it'll be exciting to see how they grow and mature over the course of the season."
The Golden Flashes must replace the likes of Isabella Meyer (17.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Kayla Haynie (9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Carlie Easterday (4.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg).
Zekkour will have the luxury of having three seniors in Addie Warzala (5.5 ppg, 3.9 apg), Kennedy Caldwell (8.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Riley Doan all back in the fold along with Natalie Yako, a junior.
The Golden Flashes also feature a new crop of exciting talent in Adalyn McIntosh, Maylee Nadaud, Marley McClurg, Kennedy McKee, Kylie McKee, Mackenzie Braham, Brilea Woods, Sami Munroe and Hannah Pitts.
"Addie and Kennedy will be two staples of our offense, and Riley is going to surprise some teams with her ability to knock down the mid-range jump shot," coach Zekkour says. "Our entire core of sophomores will have growing pains, but they're athletic and work hard so that'll make up for some mistakes they will make throughout the season."
The new season tips off on November 25 with a showdown with Lakeview at home.
Champion Golden Flashes Fast Facts Head Coach: Sean Zekkour, 1st season at Champion (21-34, overall) Assistant Coaches: Kayla Bennett, Sekou Stanley 2023-24 Record: 18-6 (12-2), 2nd place in MVAC Grey Tier 2023-24 Post-Season Finish: Lost in Sectional Final to Columbiana (39-34)
Team Stats Scoring Offense: 50.0 Scoring Defense: 35.3
Individual Leaders Scoring: Isabella Meyer, 17.5 Rebounding: Carlie Easterday, 5.9 Assists: Addie Warzala, 3.9 Free Throw Percentage: Kayla Haynie, 80.0% Three Point Percentage: Isabella Meyer, 35.1%
Nov. 25 – Lakeview Nov. 27 – at Geneva Dec. 2 – at Poland Dec. 5 – Niles Dec. 9 – at Brookfield Dec. 12 – at Struthers Dec. 13 – at Garfield Dec. 17 – LaBrae Dec. 20 – Southeast Dec. 30 – at Chaney Jan. 2 – Bristol Jan. 7 – at Crestview Jan. 10 – Liberty Jan. 14 – Newton Falls Jan. 17 – Brookfield Jan. 20 – Garfield Jan. 22 – at Mineral Ridge Jan. 23 – at LaBrae Jan. 27 – at Southeast Jan. 30 – Crestview Feb. 3 – at Liberty Feb. 6 – at Newton Falls
