Grosse Pointe South thinks it can overcome adversity

Not yet a game into the 2008-09 girls hockey season and defending state champion Grosse Pointe South already is amid adversity as it begins its campaign to repeat.

South will be without its all-league star forward Kelsey Burgess (broken ankle) until January. That, combined with losing last year's Miss Hockey, Alex Rentz, and second-team all-state honoree Annie Shepard to graduation, could cripple any average team's season.

But South coach Bill Fox knows his team, and believes it's capable of overcoming such losses.

"My team will be fine," he said. "The one I feel the most sorry for is Kelsey, but I think she'll be OK and the team will rebound fine."

Fox has good reason to believe his team will persevere. He returns a dozen players from a team that was 21-0-2, and also adds several quality newcomers. Of those returning, Emma Hull and Erin Shook are viable scoring options in Burgess' absence, though the offense could, at times, look out of sync.

"There are certain scenarios that Kelsey is able to run that we might not be as good at," Fox said. "I don't think that the power play is as good, and on the short-hand unit, things just haven't been very good yet either."

While the scoring might not be as prevalent in the early going, the defense and goaltending remain intact and ready to cause fits for opposing teams. Senior goaltender C.J. Jarboe allowed only 14 goals in 145 attempts and, because of her ability to stonewall opposing offenses, she returns as a top candidate to win Miss Hockey.

"C.J. should once again backstop for Grosse Pointe South," Ann Arbor Pioneer coach Lon Grantham said of Jarboe, who had 28 saves in last year's 4-2 championship victory over Pioneer.

To get off a shot at Jarboe, teams first must get past returning defenders Jessica Snell and Sarah Auk.

Two quality newcomers, Rae Sklarski and Claire Boyle, both forwards, also should help ease the transition until Burgess is back.

"We should shape up just fine," Fox said. "The key is who wants to come and play versus those who want to come and watch. But the kids have all come out with really good attitudes and real good work ethic and spirit at practice. And all the kids are on with the new kids. We should be just fine."

Of the nine players Grosse Pointe North has returning this year, none is more crucial to its success than its captain and unquestionable leader, all-state forward Alexa Quinlan.

Last year, as a junior, Quinlan led the team in goals (22) and was tied with Lauren Walsh in assists (20). Her 42 points ranked fourth among league players, and is second to Ann Arbor Pioneer's Angie Chronis (49) among returning players.

Now a senior, Quinlan will be looked on even more to lead the offense.

"She's a returning first-team all-stater, so I expect her to score a lot more," North coach Scott Dockett said. "She has a lot to do with our offensive production."

What makes Quinlan, who has played varsity all four years, such a special player is not just her ability to score, but that she brings with her a whole other combination of brilliance.

"She's an excellent skater, handles the puck well in traffic and is a fairly smart player," Dockett said. "All these in combination make her one of the best in the league. I expect she will be a finalist for Miss Hockey."

It's this combination of skill and finesse that make it difficult for defenses to keep her in check. If opponents play her for the shot, she'll slip the puck through to an open teammate, and should they play the pass, she won't hesitate to shoot. Last year, in a game against Bloomfield Hills, Quinlan was unstoppable with four goals and an assist. Against Northville and Plymouth-Canton-Salem, she had three goals and two assists in each game.

North was15-3-2 last year and advanced into the semifinals before losing 5-2 to Pioneer. All three losses were to Pioneer, while both ties came against South. For them to win a state championship, it's up to Quinlan to continue her role as leader and carry the team into the next level.

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