Lady Rangers Hoopsters Ready for a Challenge

The girls basketball team has a new coach.

But that doesn’t mean he’s a rookie.

Coach Mike Gallagher took the reins of the Lady Rangers basketball program this season, after last year’s coach, Nicole Anderson, stepped down for family reasons.

Gallagher, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Brecksville-Broadview Heights, began his coaching career before all of the girls on his roster were born. 

After last year's 5-16 record, he's ready to turn it up a notch.

Judging by the win-loss column so far this season — 1-3 — one could be fooled. The squad’s three losses were only by a combined 12 points.

On Saturday, the Lady Rangers lost to Brunswick High School by 1 point.

“We have to learn how to win,” Gallagher said. “It sounds like a Catch-22, but in order to do that, you’ve got to win. We’re working hard on fundamentals, executing and being consistent.”  

With four returning starters from last year’s team, Gallagher said he’s got some talent to work with.

The starting lineup for the Lady Rangers is: Mikayla Harper, a freshman point guard (5-2); Maggie Rowell, a sophomore guard (5-1); Zoe Lewis (5-9); sophomore forward; junior forward Amanda Sacha (5-10); and senior forward Jessica Garcia (5-9).

“We’ve got a young team,” said Gallagher, adding that the only other senior on the team is Jessica Garcia’s identical twin sister, Bridgette Garcia, (5-7). “One’s just a little bit taller,” he added.

Rounding out the roster are: sophomore forward Megan Barrett (5-9); junior point guard Taylor Preble (5-4);  freshmen forward Taylor Shaw (5-9); junior forward Simone Brown (5-9); junior forward Julie Herman (5-9); freshmen forward Madison Clause (5-11); and sophomore forward Tori Milicevic (5-10).

The team’s greatest strength? 

“Their work ethic,” said Gallagher, without spending too much time looking for an answer. “They work so hard all the time. You don’t even have to push them. You can’t do anything if you don’t work hard.”

The Lady Rangers will need all the help they can get with a tough Division I schedule ahead of them.

The squad is set to take on powerhouse Medina High School on Wednesday.

“We’ve got a lot of challenges coming up,” said Gallagher. “When you’re 5-16, everyone’s a challenge.”

To check out this year’s schedule, visit the Lakewood School District’s website.