Kelly Unruh will take over the reins as head coach of the Canton-Galva girls? basketball program this season.
Although this is Unruh?s first year as head coach of the Eagles, he has been at Canton-Galva for 29 years.
Unruh teaches fourth- through eighth-grade physical education and sixth grade social studies, and brings coaching experience to the girls? program.
He has coached the junior high boys? basketball team for about 22 years, he said, and has served three years as an assistant coach with the high school boys? team. He led the boys as head coach one year.
Unruh will lead an Eagle girls? team that ended last season with one win and eight losses in Heart of America league play and finished 2-19 overall.
?We have several girls returning with varsity experience and a good group of freshmen coming in,? Unruh said.
The Eagles return four starters: seniors Erika Smith at guard, Lauren Ball?antyne and Lindsey Unruh at forward, and sophomore Cassidy Enns in the post position.
Smith averaged 9.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game last year. Enns averaged 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks.
Also expected to contribute is senior Liz Johnson (post) and juniors Keana Hayden (guard), Caley Johnson (forward) and Nicholle Wilhelm (guard).
?I think the thing which excites me most is the excitement the girls have for the upcoming season,? Unruh said. ?Many girls took part in summer workouts and were very positive and receptive to the new style of play.?
The Eagles are scheduled to open their season at home Friday, Dec. 6, against Elyria Christian.
