Windham girls basketball coach Gregg Isler saw his girls basketball team in the wake of Berlin Hiland's onslaught. The Hawks' program has been a staple at regionals and even at state.
Windham knew where it stood after last year's Division IV regional final setback (64-9) at Massillon Perry High School.
"Probably just how far you still have to go," Isler said. "There was such a vast difference between us and Berlin. We had a great season, but the gap is still so large."
Windham isn't a senior-laden team, the Bombers, which were 17-8 last season, are led by sophomores Jessica Isler (5 feet, 5 inches) and Dari Heller (5-7). Isler had 16.3 points per game last season, along with 4.6 assists, while Heller had 12.9 points and seven rebounds per game.
There's also Morgan Schreiner, Britney Collins and Madi Kilgore, along with newcomers Brittany Knight and Savannah Rutherford.
This year's Bombers a versatile group, Jessica Isler said.
"I think we can all pretty much play anywhere," Jessica said. "So if someone needs to slide out to the wing, they can. If someone needs to go into the post, they can. We're all good athletes that we can just move to anywhere that we need to go."
Jessica and Heller are a good combination for Windham.
"Known since preschool," Jessica said. "We've always been on the same team and we play AAU together now. It's kind of like best friends on the court and off the court.
"Since we've played together so long, we know how we each play."
Heller is a versatile player for Windham.
"Dari can do so many things," Gregg said. "This year, she's going to play a little guard for us. She's such a great athlete. You just can teach that kind of athleticism. She can do so many things, whether it be play the point on defense or go inside and rebound."
He added that this year's team has made improvements.
"I think we've stressed working on some of the things we've gotten better at and making sure that consistency is always there, especially on the rebounding end for us," Gregg said.
He's learned a lot from Windham's boys mentor as well, legendary coach Marty Hill.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say some of the things I've learned from him haven't transgressed into our program," Gregg said. "We do a lot of things with defensive pressure and that's something he's done for a long time."
Winning is something the boys teams has done for quite a while, being to numerous regionals.
"We have to keep in the back of our heads that we can be as good as we want to be," Jessica said.
However, Windham hasn't got off to a good start with a 1-4 record with its only victory over a winless McDonald team.
The Bombers have lost by an average of four points in each of their setbacks. Windham is even playing tougher competition like Lowellville, which beat the Bombers by four points earlier this season, and at Dalton on Dec. 22.
It makes last year's regional final appearance like a distant memory.
"Last year was a great year, but it's over," Gregg said. "We need to play really solid defense and rebound the basketball every night.
"If we can do those two things, then we'll be very competitive. We'll see where we go from there."
