Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

Cincinnati Christian's early success this season has coach Ken Bashford wondering just how good his team can be.

And could have been.

After four years, senior guard Kirstie Runion has fully recovered from knee injuries that have slowed her throughout her high school career. She and sophomore forward Sarah Carroll have both elevated their games to new heights this season, helping lead the Cougars to a 3-1 record.

Runion, who recently underwent her third knee surgery, said that she is playing at full strength for the first time since eighth grade.

And it shows — her scoring average is more seven points higher (17.8 ppg) than last year's output. She even dropped 30 in her team's 60-54 win over Clark- Montessori two weeks ago.

"She's got all of her quickness back," Bashford said. "She is without a doubt our floor leader, the engine that makes everything go."

"It's very exciting," Runion said. "I'm strong and I'm not worried about getting injured."

Carroll (17 ppg, 15 rpg) appears even stronger and more tenacious in the paint this season, after averaging a double-double (13.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg) in her freshman campaign.

"She's extremely tough," Bashford said about the 5-foot-10 forward. "She doesn't back down. She seems to get better and better."

Much like last year, the trio of Carroll, Runion and junior guard Taylor Fleming (8 ppg) makes up nearly 90 percent of the Cougars' scoring.

Bashford's squad has shown it can win even with a seven-player rotation.

In their season opener, the Cougars beat Dayton Christian, 49-44, with only four players in the scoring column. Only five scored in their 40-20 victory over North College Hill Saturday.

"We have to play smart, we have to ease up a little on the fouls," Runion said.