Trinity finds itself in a bit of a rebuilding mode after winning 19 games last winter.
The Trojans have a new head coach and return just one starter from the squad that finished 19-4 overall and won the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division with a 14-1 mark.
“We are very young and there is a learning curve that we need to overcome before we can be consistently good,” said new head coach Ron Donaldson, Jr. “We play hard and have great speed. The goal is to maximize those strengths by increasing their basketball IQ.”
With a young roster, Donaldson knows his Trojans will experience their ups and downs this season, especially early on as they settle into a new game plan and scheme.
“The challenge will be playing through the lows of the season and staying positive and encouraged when things don’t go our way,” he said. “We have to be honest with where we are and understand we have to work on closing the gap with our potential.”
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Junior Deoshania Bennet, a 5-foot-6 guard, is Trinity’s lone returning starter.
“(She is a) great all-around player that can play on both ends of the court,” Donaldson said. “D is a three-level scorer. I have challenged her to be conference player of the year.”
Senior Abby Zoeckler, sophomores Nevaeh Harrison and Cienna Smith, and freshman Jaila Wiggins round out the projected starting lineup.
Zoeckler and Harrison are 5-foot-5 guards, Smith is a 5-foot-7 forward, and Wiggins is a 5-foot-7 guard/forward.
“Abby is a great shooter with a high basketball IQ who will provide great senior leadership,” Donaldson said. “Nevaeh is a great two-way player who excels in transition and is developing an outside shot. Cienna is strong, fast, and athletic. She sets great screens and rebounds very well. (Jaila is) a great talent with tons of potential. She is a great defender with great speed and quickness. Jaila will be exciting to watch.”
Sophomore Iniya Charlton and freshmen Kanora Bryant, Isis Smith, and Nilah Thorton will provide the Trojans with depth.
Charlton is 5-foot-6 guard, Bryant is a 5-foot-5 guard, Smith is a 5-foot-8 forward, and Thorton is a 5-foot-5 guard.
“Iniya brings varsity experience, toughness, speed, and great defense. Iniya is improving daily and will be a major contributor to our team,” Donaldson said. “Koko (Bryant) is our hardest worker as a freshman. She leads, has great strength, is an excellent on-ball defender, and attacks the basket very well. Isis is an athlete with speed and great footwork. She is developing at a fast rate and has a high ceiling. Nilah is a great on-ball defender with great speed. Nilah has the potential to be a lockdown defender.”
Trinity’s goals for the season include posting another winning record and competing for the CVC Metro Division title.
“(Our) keys to victory are going to require discipline, attention to detail, team chemistry, and accountability on the offensive and defensive end,” Donaldson said.
