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By Dan Gedney, Staff Writer Updated 2:50 PM Wednesday, March 4, 2009

In an effort to maximize playing time for her 12 players, Cincinnati Christian Junior High School girls basketball coach Lori Neal divided the roster into two teams for the 2008-09 season.

Seven players were on the 'A' team, while five played on the 'B' team for the Cougars. Both teams were a mix of seventh- and eighth-graders.

"The more they play, the more they enjoy it," Neal said.

The 'A' team finished the season with a record of 6-7 after losing to Clark Montessori in the first round of the Miami Valley Conference postseason tournament.

"They did really well. It was the first time that group had played together," Neal said. "I felt like they really worked well together. They did a good job of really playing hard and when they were on, they were on."

Eighth-grader Anna Wolford led the scoring effort for the Cougars, averaging 7.5 points per game. Wolford also led the team in steals with 36. Seventh-grader Ana Richter made her presence known on the board with 101 rebounds.

"She was very strong for us rebound-wise," Neal said.

Richter also led the team with 19 blocks, while seventh-grader Abby Wolford led the way in assists with 26. The Cougars spent the majority of the season running a motion offense.

"They picked it up really well," Neal said. "We struggled at first, but by the end of the season they were running it very well."

Defensively, eighth-grader Sarah Rainous led the way for the Cougars, who played in a man-to-man formation.

"She could really get in the head of the people she was defending," Neal said.

Eighth-grader Alex Gray also emerged as a defensive leader during the 2008-09 season.

"She's not a very tall person, but defensively she's on the boards. She gets in there and she scraps," Neal said. "She's a beast on defense. She's aggressive. She does very well."

The 'B' team finished its season with a record of 4-3. Seventh-grader Emily Davis led the team in points (29) and rebounds (23).

"She improved a ton from last year," Neal said. "She was very aggressive."

Newcomers Rachel Rodulfo and Rosie Seay showed steady improvement throughout the season, according to Neal.

"The girls were very encouraging to these players," she said. "I enjoyed being a part of their lives and having the chance to be a good mentor."

Contact this reporter at dgedney@coxohio.com.

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