In the 2022-23 season, Columbia’s quest for a Lorain County League title came up short in the home stretch.
Though key interior players graduated, the Raiders maintained numbers as a senior-laden team.
“We are going to be deep,” Columbia coach Corey Taylor said. “(Players graduating) is something that we come across, but we have to be (deep). If we are going to play the pace that we want, that is what we have to be.”
Led by senior and three-time All-Ohioan point guard Elise Champagne, Columbia will return three starts and six seniors: Rachel Washburn, Delaney Friscone, Payton Menge, Callie Demagall and Taylor Kuhrt.
“We have six seniors and we all are super close,” Champagne said. “We have been playing together since middle school and even elementary school. Our girls that are coming up are super tight-knit.”
Former Raiders Mallory Hottell and Emily Beck provided their presence in the interior, which helped Columbia reach a Division III North Ridgeville District semifinal and a 20-4 (12-2 in LC8) record.
“(Hottell or Beck) were so pivotal in our district semifinal run and our 20-win season,” Taylor said. “You can’t really replace those two, but every season is going to bring on competition and new challenges. New girls will step up, and that is what I am looking forward to.”
Though lack of size could be an issue, Columbia’s playing style may not see much changed, as a team that likes to play up-tempo.
“(Our style) hasn’t changed with us over the past four to five years that I have been coaching,” Taylor said. “We get out and run. My girls expect that out of us to play in transition and being able to go up and down the court. That is a really good thing. We just have to be able to play in the half-court when it comes to the (LC8 title race).”
Throughout the summer, Bree Heidecker impressed Taylor in the post, who will be crucial for interior stability.
“I was proud of Bree (Heidecker). She has come a long way, too,” Taylor said. “We still have some work to do, establishing some post moves down in the paint. She has been a force all summer. She has done a really good job handling big, the pressure and the pace that we play at. That is something that goes unnoticed a lot.”
Coming off another All-Ohioan season, in which she averaged 12 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.4 steals, Champagne plans to enhance her game.
“I’ve wanted to get a lot faster and stronger to get to the hoop,” she said. “For the past few years, I’ve played more as a facilitator. I want to be able to get to the hoop and score on my own. If I can get to the hoop, be strong and score that way, that’s great, too. Also, my main goal is to get it in and kick it out to our shooters constantly.”
As a three-time All-Ohioan, Champagne is getting looks from several schools. In the Berea-Midpark Summer League, neighboring Baldwin Wallace made the convenient appearance for a look.
Taylor took notice of Champagne's progress and thinks she could be a force for the upcoming season.
"So far this summer, the biggest thing I've seen out of her is that she has been far more consistent offensively, especially in her mid-range game. She has done a good job," Taylor said. "Even her 3-point shot has been more consistent. ... She is a workhorse out there. She plays great defense for us. If she continues to improve on that stuff, it is going to be tough (to guard)."
