Stritch has aspiring Brown, Hughes, and ‘X-factor’

Cardinal Stritch girls basketball coach Brad Hohenberger believes this could be the year the Cardinals have something to say about how the Toledo Area Athletic Conference girls basketball race finishes.

Backing him up is sophomore guard Linnea Hughes, sophomore center Asia Brown, junior point guard Sydney Payeff, junior forward Analise Quiroga, junior guard Emi Castillo and senior guard Keera Garmon. 

Hughes, as a freshman, scored in double digits last year, but one of his key players did not get playing time because of an injury. That adds further to the mystery of “How good will Stritch really be this year.”

“Emi Castillo is coming off an injury that kept her out for the entire year last season. She played varsity minutes as a freshman and now coming back as a junior I expect her to help us with her ability to shoot and stretch the floor, as well as give us another ball handler.”

“Both Asia Brown and Linnea Hughes have the ability and aspirations to play at the next level. I think for both of them, this sophomore season will be key in setting them up to achieve those goals.”

“Asia Brown has taken things to a new level last year. She started to come on and play more at the end of the year last season, but this season I truly feel she will be a huge contributor for us. Asia Brown is a name everyone will know by the end of the season, I think. She has come so far in terms of her development over the last year. She is 6-1 and a force down low. She finishes well around the rim and is strong enough to get position on anyone we play. She will have a huge year and should be a key scorer and rebounder for us this season. 

“Lillian Hugill will also be in the mix in the post. She is developing her game around the basket and has the ability to step out and hit the three. She is also a naturally gifted shot blocker and should help us defensively.”

As a result, the Cardinals expect to pick up the pace a bit, but it depends on the situation, says the coach.

“We always want to get out and play up tempo. That is my style and will continue to be so. However, this year with the emergence of our sophomore post players we have the ability to better play in the half court when we need to,” Hohenberger said.

Castillo’s return along with some new varsity players could add to the mix.

“The sleeper or possible X-factor for us this year is the return of Emi Castillo. She hit some big shots as a freshman on varsity and was the leading scorer for the JV team as a freshman as well. Her coming back from injury this year will make us a much better team and I am excited to see what she will do,” Hohenberger said.

“I also have two freshman guards who could see some varsity time this year in Kenzie Kinnie and Jean Simpson. I am excited to see where both of them can plug in and contribute as the season goes on. Both have a very bright future.”

As a result, the Cardinals believe they can find their way back into contention in the TAAC.

“I think we can be in the top two of the league,” Hohenberger said. “I think this year we have all the pieces to be a very good team. There is a lot of turnover in our league with key seniors graduating at other schools. Whereas I return my core group who all have another year of experience and are ready to take the next step and start really winning a lot of games. 

“Toledo Christian should be an absolute juggernaut this season. They have all the pieces for a state run! Sean Mercer at Ottawa Hills is one of the best coaches in Ohio, who always has his teams ready to play, Randi Wilson at Northwood is a dominant player and should lead them this year. 

“Even with the coaching changes Maumee Valley should have a very talented group this year as well, and Emmanuel Christian’s junior high team was very good last year so their future is bright. There are no off days in our league. You have to come and compete every single game. That in and of itself makes me excited. I think my group this year is as competitive as I have had in three years and they are up for the challenge.”

Hohenberger has a history at Stritch — he was an assistant under Jamie Kachmarik when the boys team qualified for the Division III state final four. Prior to that, he was a varsity boys assistant coach and head freshman boys coach at McLean High School in Virginia for five years, a boys varsity and JV assistant at Perrysburg for one year, and the head boys freshman coach at Stritch for two years.