College basketball: North Ridgeville alum Isabella Geraci carves out role at CSU

Carving out a role sometimes takes time, but Isabella Geraci has found her niche with Cleveland State. The senior and former North Ridgeville standout has evolved into a key defensive cog off the Vikings bench, appearing in all but two games for the 19-7 Vikings, who secured the No. 4 seed and a bye to the quarterfinals of the Horizon League tournament that continues at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Wolstein Center against No. 5 Northern Kentucky. The semifinals and final will be played at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 7 and 8. "It took me awhile to figure out my role on the team," Geraci said. "In the beginning, it was more bringing the bench-type of energy, making sure everyone was hyped on the bench. And when I got in, I provided a little spark on defense or in transition. It's grown into a little bit bigger than that. I haven't had the chance to start, but when I do get the opportunity to play I see myself as that spark. If we need a steal, or a quick couple of points or that energy, I'm here for them. It's been a little different, but I've accepted it. That's why I'm here." Like many Division I athletes, Geraci landed at CSU after rewriting the record books at her high school. She left North Ridgeville as the all-time leading scorer with 1,199 points and averaged 17.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 2.4 assists and one block per game during her senior year, when she was named Lorain County Miss Basketball and All-Ohio second team. With the Vikings, however, success did not come as easily. The pace was faster, the shot clock forced action and the holes in her game — like the lack of a reliable outside shot — became more apparent. Though she appeared in 56 games her first two seasons, she averaged single-digit minutes and about 1.5 points per game. "It's been tough, I'm going to be completely honest," Geraci said. "It's so different. I don't think people realize that, going into college to play ball, every single person was their star player, especially at this level. So you're fighting for a spot constantly. In that process it's made me a better player and a better person. It definitely humbles you and you learn so much from it, and I'm thankful for it. I've definitely accepted my role and am having fun with it. It's been a little different than high school, but there's a reason I'm still here and that's to get to the NCAA Tournament." After going just 5-of-23 from 3-point range her first two seasons — all but one attempt occurring her sophomore year — Geraci shot 11-of-28 as a junior, jumping to 39.3 percent. With that improvement came increased minutes — averaging 13.9 with four starts in 22 games her junior year and 15.3 through 24 games this season — and that's allowed her to come off the bench and be that defensive spark for the team. She averaged 1.2 steals her junior season and 0.6 this year. "Coming out of high school, I was never really a shooter," Geraci said. "I never wanted to shoot the ball. I wanted to get to the hoop or get a steal. Coming to college, I was seeing that everybody could do everything. I had to round my game off and be able to get a perimeter shot." Even though Geraci is a senior, this might not be her last hurrah. Like all NCAA athletes from 2020-21, she has a fifth year of eligibility stemming from the COVID-shortened season and is still deciding if and how she'd like to utilize it. A marketing major, she'd like to remain involved in sports after college in some capacity. Regardless of what the future holds, it doesn't change the fact that she and her fellow seniors are highly motivated to get the Vikings back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2009-10 season. "That's really why I came to play Division I," Geraci said. "I could have went other places, but that was my dream. Ever since I started playing basketball, it's always been my dream to get to the tourney." Geraci won't be the only North Ridgeville alum suiting up for the Vikings tonight. The Cleveland State men's basketball team secured the No. 1 seed in the Horizon League Tournament and will face No. 10 Robert Morris at the Wolstein Center at 8 p.m. following the women's game. The men's semifinals and final also will be played at Indiana Farmers Coliseum March 7 and 8. Junior Jeremy Sanchez has yet to see action for the Vikings after appearing in 36 games with 10 starts during the previous two seasons. He won four letters at North Ridgeville and finished in the top five on the school's all-time scoring list. "It's going to be super exciting," Geraci said. "I don't remember the last time we've had a doubleheader like this, and to have it in the playoffs is unreal. I'm hoping the atmosphere is going to be great." Contact Chris Sweeney at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on Twitter.