Girls basketball: Brunswick to hire alumna Angela Fink as coach

BRUNSWICK — Home is where the heart is. It's also where Angela Fink will take the first step in her post-college life. Recent Lake Erie College graduate Fink is returning to her alma mater as the coach of the Brunswick girls basketball team, pending approval of the board of education. The 5-foot-8 point guard averaged a school-record 6.82 assists for the Blue Devils as a senior in 2018-19, also setting the program's all-time mark with 16 assists in a game. "Returning to coach at a program where I played is truly an honor," said Fink, who ranks second at Brunswick with 339 career assists and is 12th in rebounds and 13th in points. "I really enjoyed my experiences playing for and representing Brunswick girls basketball. "As a first-year head coach there will no doubt be a learning curve, but I have already been given tremendous support from the athletic department and other veteran coaches at Brunswick." Fink played four years in the backcourt for the Storm at the NCAA Division II level, starting all 26 games this past winter while averaging career highs of 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists. An education major at Lake Erie, the 22-year-old will be working within the school district as an intervention specialist at Crestview Elementary. "I have been blessed with the opportunity to play for fantastic coaches throughout my playing career," Fink said. "They have all had an impact on my life and I have learned from every one of them." Fink earned a reputation as an intelligent, intense floor general who made her teammates better. Her ability to see things develop in half-court sets — before they actually happened — befuddled opponents and led to numerous easy baskets. Athletic director Jim Kovi believes those qualities will translate well to the bench and allow Fink to succeed in her initial coaching job. "We believe her experiences as a player and leader have prepared her to take the role as a head coach at a young age," Kovi said. "She has played for and been around some tremendous coaches throughout her playing career, and we are excited for her to leave her mark on the program." The Blue Devils went 19-6 last season and advanced to the Valley Forge Division I District championship game under Anthony Ocacio, who posted a 63-58 record in five seasons. It was Brunswick's first district final appearance since 2013 and its winningest campaign in 16 years. Former Blue Devils player Ocacio and his wife Sarah are expecting their first child in the fall. Gazette MVP and Kent State recruit Journey Hildebrand, All-Gazette defensive stopper Faith Vlcek and incoming sophomore forward Audrey Parker are slated to be the core of Fink's squad that will be a top contender in the Greater Cleveland Conference. "I look forward to the future of this program and developing a culture that positively impacts the female athletes, the youth program, and the Brunswick community," Fink said. "My coaching style is based on prioritizing a positive culture rooted in hard work and dedication, and my overall objective for this team is to continue to improve every day." Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on Twitter.