Edison looks to make jump in win column

MILAN — Edison won eight games last season, but second-year coach Chelsey Meagrow feels like the Chargers are trending up. "It's a big difference from last year," Meagrow said. "There's a lot of experience coming back. This is a year we can have the ability to rotate girls on the floor and not be lacking in experience." The Chargers finished 8-15 overall last season and went 2-8 in the rugged SBC Bay Division. But Edison lost six games by single digits and returns most of its top players. That list starts with versatile seniors Ivy Kluding and Jorja Byington. Kluding, a 5-foot-7 guard who has been on the varsity team since her freshman year, averaged 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season. "She's the kind of player people want to have on their team," Meagrow said. "She can be coached and coached hard. We've had some great conversations. She sets the standard for all of our girls, whether it's in practice, film or the weight room. Everyone is more at ease when she's out there." Byington, a 5-9 forward, averaged 8.8 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds last season. "She creates a lot of mismatches because she's a 'tweener.' She has the quickness of a guard but can jump and is strong," Meagrow said. "She's at her best inside the key. She's long and can make if difficult (for the opposition) around the rim." Three juniors who got a lot of playing time as sophomores will join the two seniors in the starting lineup. Point guard Stella Brown averaged 6.9 points per game last season after moving up from the junior varsity. She also provided strong defense in the backcourt. "It was nice to basically watch her grow up before our eyes," Meagrow said. "She was a JV player with very little experience and started out tentative. She had her best games down the stretch. She's so quick and strong and gets to the free throw line." Another junior guard Taylor Moore is working her way back after suffering a concussion in Edison's last volleyball match of the season. Moore averaged 5.6 points per game last year. "She'll be a big factor," Meagrow said. "She gained a lot of confidence in her shot and has a high basketball IQ." At 5-10, junior Ella Booth gives the Chargers some more size. She played in all 23 games last season and averaged 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. "She's strong and rebounds well," Meagrow said. "Her intensity has been so consistent and she has done a good job finishing through contact." Junior Gracie Rang, who Meagrow said has "a motor that doesn't quit" will lead what Meagrow hopes becomes a deep bench. Other juniors on the roster include Kellyn Ritchie, Delaney Fields, Brooke Dickman, Peyton Taylor and Navea Yamanouchi. Edison was last in the SBC Bay last season with 58 3-pointers (2.5 per game), but Meagrow thinks that number will get better. "When I took over the expectation of shooting outside shots wasn't there as much," she said. "To draw defenders out we have to shoot outside shots confidently. It's something they know is expected. "We want to attack to basket but we want to have our kickouts." Edison's season opener was scheduled for last Friday, but was postponed because the Chargers' football team played in a regional final that night. "Getting our first game pushed back was not ideal, but I was super excited for why it was pushed back," Meagrow said. "We'll take it in stride." The Chargers tip off their season Wednesday night at Sandusky. "We were very close to having that win column jump by five last year," Meagrow said. "The expectations are higher. It's going to be great year with a lot of competition and having to earn your playing time." Roster No.&emsp;&emsp;Name&emsp;&emsp;Pos.&emsp;&emsp;Ht.&emsp;&emsp;Yr. 3&emsp;Taylor Moore&emsp;G&emsp;5-5&emsp;11 4&emsp;Ivy Kluding&emsp;F&emsp;5-7&emsp;12 5&emsp;Kellyn Ritchie&emsp;F&emsp;5-7&emsp;11 10&emsp;Jorja Byington&emsp;F&emsp;5-9&emsp;12 12&emsp;Delaney Fields&emsp;G&emsp;5-4&emsp;11 20&emsp;Jade Ziegelhofer&emsp;F&emsp;5-6 &emsp;10 21&emsp;Ella Booth&emsp;C&emsp;5-10&emsp;11 22&emsp;Stella Brown&emsp;G&emsp;5-4&emsp;11 23&emsp;Gracie Rang&emsp;F&emsp;5-7&emsp;11 24&emsp;Macari Harris&emsp;C&emsp;5-10&emsp;10 31&emsp;Annabelle Seville&emsp;G&emsp;5-6&emsp;10 34&emsp;Brooke Dickman&emsp;F&emsp;5-7&emsp;11 42&emsp;Peyton Taylor&emsp;F&emsp;5-8&emsp;11 44&emsp;Navea Yamanouchi&emsp;F&emsp;5-7&emsp;11