New coach Lyden, Pirates bring energy

PERKINS TWP. — It hasn't taken long for new Perkins girls basketball coach Leia Lyden to have the Pirates playing with their foot on the gas. Twelve days into the June team period, Perkins is pressing the length of the floor, pushing the ball in transition even off makes, and diving for any and every chance at an extra possession. "We've got the athletes to do it," Lyden said. "We're really impressed with the girls that we've got. We're really excited to use the speed and agility that we have." Perkins put its still-learning product on the floor Wednesday at The Boeckling Classic at Cedar Point Sports Center for a pair of games, with more action to come in the tournament Thursday. After a team shootout at Ashland last week, this is yet another chance for the Pirates to learn their new coach while the new coach learns her players. "They've picked up a lot really quickly," Lyden said. "Even if there have been some mistakes, it just shows things we need to help teach going forward. That's the biggest thing with it being summer, where we're restricted. Honestly, given the coaching days that we've used and what we've seen, we're pretty pleased." Lyden, 27, is undertaking her first varsity head coaching job. A River Valley graduate, she played college basketball and is the daughter of a former Division I coach. There's also plenty of experience on Lyden's bench. Mike Brunner returns as a Perkins assistant, and the Pirates add Chris and Kaelyn Harkness, formerly of Norwalk. "The more I got to know him, and Kaelyn, both of them are really good," Lyden said. "They know their stuff. Mike knows his stuff, too. It's really great to have multiple eyes." Lyden is working with a strong group of returners. Neither Camryn VanVlerah nor Haylie Brunner was in action Wednesday, but that allowed a mix of new and old to improve together. Sophomore Jordyn Brunner showed an improved handle and finishing, with freshman sister Allie Brunner adding a quick ball handler and defender. Ellie Manion and Mallorie Jones pose outside scoring threats. Avery Baker remains a steady backcourt presence. Zakiyah Castile and Ava Quillen add length and athleticism. "That's another thing we've noticed: The talent doesn't really drop off whenever we sub," Lyden said. "That will help us do what we want to do as coaches." Lyden takes over the Pirates at a time when the SBC Lake Division is very strong. Bellevue and Norwalk both will return nearly the entirety of their championship-level rosters. That makes this June window all the more key for Perkins, which knows it'll have a rugged schedule this winter while also having an opportunity to build for the long-term under a new, enthusiastic young coach. "I think we're gonna be pretty tough," Lyden said. Perkins certainly looks like it'll aim to be up to speed with the high-pressure, fast-paced looks that the Lady Red and Truckers also bring. On Wednesday, the Pirates pressed man-to-man off makes and misses, sought out back-tip steals and didn't relent no matter what personnel was on the floor. Offensively, they attacked and attacked and attacked, rarely focusing on complicated sets but rather attempting to make things happen. "I'm the type of person, any small hustle play, I'm over there always cheering them on," Lyden said. "That's really what they need, someone always in their corner. I definitely want to try to be that person." Perkins defeated a solid Fairless team on Wednesday, 36-29, with eight points from Jordyn Brunner and seven from Jones. The Pirates were then defeated by an impressive Canton Central Catholic group, 56-33, with seven from Jordyn Brunner and six apiece from Allie Brunner and Jones. The season is a long way away, but Lyden doesn't plan to waste any time. There's always more to learn. "There are times where we're hard on them, but in the summer it's a low-stakes environment," she said. "Even in the season, I want them to be comfortable with making mistakes because they can learn from it. We don't want consistent mistakes, but we want to be able to have the mental toughness to move past them and at the same time learn from them and grow as a team."