Pictured above are (front row from left) Melanie Pickert, Kayla Bridges, Sara Schmitt, Kari Schmitt, (back row from left) Paige Aresco, Rachel Winters, Robyn Mack, Jesse Larner and Gabby Malec. Not pictured is CarolAnn Sexauer.

Solid core of returners along with talented
new-comers make Canton a contender

  Canton's seven returning girls basketball players had so much fun during last year's drive to the Class A "Final Four", they'd like to do it all over again this season.

  And with a returning talent base that rivals any other program in the state, no one would be surprised to see the Chiefs stepping onto the Breslin Center court late next March.

  The Chiefs finished 24-2 last season, with the second loss coming to Detroit Renaissance in a Class A semifinal contest.

  "Getting so close last year but not getting the trophy makes us want it really bad this year," said senior four-year varsity player Kayla Bridges.

  "Having been there, we're that much more motivated to get back," added senior forward Kari Schmitt.

  "We want to have a great season," Bridges said, "but our No. 1 goal is a state championship."

  If the Chiefs make it back to East Lansing, their post-season schedule won't be much more difficult than their early-season slate.

  Beginning Tuesday at Farmington Hills Mercy, they face a four-game test that includes the Marlins, Birmingham Marian, Inkster and Detroit Country Day -- all perennial powerhouses.

  "It's one of the toughest non-league schedules we've played," said Canton coach Brian Samulski. "It will definitely challenge the team and let us see where we're at and what we need to work on."

  Based on last year's results, the Chiefs won't have to work much on defense. Canton's brand of in-your-face, get-after-it defense frustrated most of its foes.

  Opposing point guards must deal with senior Melanie Pickert first. If they're lucky enough to get past her, the Schmitt twins -- Kari and Sara -- and Bridges are usually waiting in the paint.

  One of the unique aspects with last year's team was that it was virtually identical to the previous year's squad. That isn't the case this season as three new players -- freshmen Paige Aresco and Rachel Winters; and junior Gabby Malec are first-year varsity players.

  "Last year was great as far as chemistry because we had the same girls back," said Bridges. "For having a new team this year, we're getting along really well."

  "The new girls are fitting in really well," added Sara Schmitt.

  "It's a different team with different chemistry," said Samulski. "We have some younger kids this year, so it's like starting fresh, even though we have a lot of returners. You can't compare this year's team to last year's team. They're two totally different groups."

  In addition to playing Kobe Bryant-like defense, the Schmitt twins can also wreak havoc on the offensive end of the court.

  "Kari was our leading rebounder and leading scorer last year," said Samulski. "Along with that, she gives us a lot of leadership by how hard she works on the court.

  "Sara is a lot like her sister. Her work ethic and determination our amazing. She really gets after it on the defensive end."

  On the heels of a standout junior season, Bridges is primed for an even better senior campaign, Samulski said.

  "Kayla had a great spring, summer and fall; she played a lot of ball," he said. "I've seen a lot of improvement in her game. She can score around the rim and she's setting her feet nicely on her perimeter shot."

  The Chiefs are blessed with a trio of stellar returning guards: seniors CarolAnn Sexauer and Melanie Pickert; and junior Robyn Mack.

  "Robyn also had a great summer and fall," Samulski said. "She had some great workouts playing AAU. She can shoot from the perimeter and she's an outstanding passer. She sees everything on the court. She has great vision.

  "Melanie is a defensive-minded player who really gets after it. The nice thing about having her and Robyn is that they can both bring the ball down. Melanie really gets after the opposing point guards.

  "CarolAnn is our best scorer from the perimeter. She's been working hard at coming off of screens and finding the open area."

  The Chiefs will be bolstered by a young, but solid, core of reserve players, including Winters, Aresco, Malec and Jesse Larner.

  "Those four will be competing to see who can get into the playing group," Samulski said. "Jesse and Gabby are fundamentally solid players. The two freshmen have a lot of athletic ability and they're in great shape."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Robyn Mack more than met the challenge presented by Detroit Renaissance during last year's Class A semifinal game. (Ed Wright photo)

The Chiefs were supported by a large cheering section at last year's Class A semifinal game. (Ed Wright photo)