2010 - 2011 Preview & Prognostications: Ohio High School Girls Basketball

Ohio Girls Basketball Report started 13 years ago has become over the last 10 years the #1 single-state scouting service in America. Currently there are 208 colleges across America that subscribe to Ohio Girls Basketball Report and rely on the information provided by Tom Jenkins and his staff in evaluating players from Ohio. Tom has over 45 years of playing, coaching and evaluating experience associated with the game of basketball. He is devoted solely to the promotion of the game of Ohio girls basketball through his publication, Ohio Girls Basketball Report and the promotion of the players of the game through his services.

Collaborating on this year's 2010-2011 Preview & Prognostications  is Bryce McKey, Associate Head Coach at Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown School and Head Coach of Sports City U, ESPN's #8 ranked travel team in the country this past year. Coach McKey is credited in getting HB "over the hump" in winning their 2nd consecutive state championships in 2009 and 2010. A disciple of the legendary coach Perry Reese, Jr., Coach McKey at age 24 has been a member of the OGBR staff for the last 5 years.

PREVIEW VITALS

It seems as though every 6 or 7 years a chapter ends and a new chapter begins in Ohio girls high school basketball.

A new chapter began in '96 as interest in the game of girls/women's basketball was re-ignited by way of the US Olympic team, in Ohio Regina reeled off 4 consecutive state championships and then this chapter culminated with Ohio's record breaking class of 2003 signing 103 NCAA D-I scholarships, solidifying our state as one of the 3 national hotbeds of girls basketball.

The next chapter began in 2004 as Mt. Notre Dame furthered Ohio's position as a national hotbed with their run winning 5 state championships over a 6 year period including 4 in a row and this chapter concluded prior to the beginning of this season with the dismantling of the Mt. Notre Dame program, the closing of the doors at Regina, some schools not even being able to field a team, transfers galore and more coaching changes than you can shake a stick at.

Thank goodness given the ending of the last chapter, this season is time for a new chapter in the book of Ohio girls high school basketball to began. My good friend Eric Frantz here at JJ Huddle / Ohio High Magazine has asked me to write a statewide all-division inclusive preview for this upcoming season...so the following is as Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band once sang "is like working on a mystery without any clues"...here goes...out of 798 high school basketball programs...

PREVIEW SCHEDULE

Nov. 15: Division IV Preview
Nov. 16: Division III Preview
Nov. 17: Division II Preview
Nov. 18: Division I Preview
Nov. 22: Division IV Preseason Power Poll
Nov. 23: Division III Preseason Power Poll
Nov. 24: Division II Preseason Power Poll
Nov. 25: Division I Preseason Power Poll

Division II Previews

D-II Barberton Region (NE Ohio)
Note: Schools on the west side of Cleveland go through the Ontario Region and will be discussed in that region's section.

Favorite(s): Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown School

Although Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown lost three Division I players to graduation from their state championship team, they have reloaded for what should be a fifth consecutive berth to the final four.  The Blazers are talented on the wings with sophomores Vanessa Smith and Nia Marshall leading the way.  The Blazers also have veteran senior leadership from guards Tanisha Lawler, Alanna Guy and posts Molly Crosby (Loyola Chicago) and Sarah Poland (Cornell) who have played key roles in the last two state championship runs.  Although this team may not be as deep as in years past, Coach Paul Barlow hopes this team can help Paul to Paul’s 4th state championship in three years (Coach Barlow is also the head golf coach at Hathaway Brown, winning the 2010 state title).  

Challenger(s): None

Outside Looking In: Akron St. Vincent / St Mary's, Akron Archbishop Hoban, Mentor Lake Catholic & Cleveland JFK

To make a tournament run you have to have talent, stay healthy and have a little luck along the way.  Good thing for Akron St. Vincent. St. Mary that they have the luck of the Irish on their side!  St. Vincent. St. Mary, led by Akron native, Joe Jakubic will look to build on the school’s strong tradition in women’s basketball, as the program won state championships in 1980, 1981 and 1995.  Coach Jakubic has veteran leadership from senior guards Maria Arnone and Jackie Murray, as well as one of the top freshmen classes in the area including guards Shannon Jack and Kiley May.  The Irish will need less luck as they gain more experience.  Get used to seeing the green in gold in the regional tournament.    

Competing with the Irish of St. Vincent St. Mary to get to the regional from the Massillon district is cross-town rival, Akron Archbishop

Hoban, led by head coach Tracy Miller.  The Knights are led by senior post Emily Orsini, junior guard Janaya Feaster and sophomore point guard Allie Griffith.  Last year’s Hoban team went 17-6 and the Knights are hungry and looking for more.

Expect to see Mentor Lake Catholic reappear in Barberton, representing the Andover District.  Lake Catholic is lead by senior post player Colette Hounshell who is back this year after sitting out all of last year due to an ACL injury.  Running the point for Coach Frank Soria will be senior Paige Rowan.  Don’t be fooled by their record…Lake Catholic plays a difficult schedule to prepare them for whatever they may see in tournament play.

If Eastern Michigan signee Amber Bogard dons the colors of JFK, look for Coach Leonard Patterson's Fighting Eagles to take a swipe at everyone in this region...Hathaway Brown Blazers included.

D-II Springfield Region (SW Ohio / part of Central OH)

Favorite(s): Dayton Carroll Patriots

The Southwest Ohio regional is going to be an absolute war.  In this war, there are a wide array of armies and weapons.  There are Patriots, Knights, Eagles, Devils, Braves and Cougars. The Dayton Carroll Patriots bring the heavy artillery with a great balance of talent, depth and experience.  Carroll, my pre-season #1 in D-II, have as good of inside outside personnel in the state with top tier guard prospect Kelly Austria (jr) who can really light it up with mortars from the deep "3" zone.  Protecting the inside of the castle are a pair of seniors in  6’6 Cierra Triplett (Wright State) and banger Cameron Vaughn. Add the senior leadership of Molly McGloin and a talented trio of sophomores in Ciara Poppa, Susan Wollenhaupt and Lindsey Blanford, the Pats could have a very special year...beefing up their schedule, playing strong southwest teams and traveling to play teams such as Lake Ridge Academy (the artist formerly known as Regina) will help prepare for their raid on Columbus... if they survive the SW war zone.

Challenger(s): Kettering Alter Knights, Indian Hill Braves & Tipp City Tippecanoe Red Devils

The Kettering Alter Knights won’t back down from any enemy and always seem to find a way to conquer and end up back at the Schott come Marc. Alter returns 3 starters and 5 of their top 7 from last year's state runner-up team in three point threat Courtney Christie (sr), Whitney Dabbelt (sr Walsh), Kaila Howe (sr), Alison Bockrath (jr) and Kelly Westerkamp (sr).  The big question this year is if Megan Courtney will continue to play for the Knights, after she recently committed to national volleyball powerhouse Penn State University.  If she is on the court, don’t get down on the Knights early, as it will take them awhile to get Courtney back in the shape for battle.  The Knights will be marching… but how far they march depends deeply on the status of Megan Courtney.

From the streets of Cincinnati's affluent suburb, Indian Hill, comes the most decorated general in the southwest, Coach Scott Rogers (the architect of Mount Notre Dame's rise to a national powerhouse) and a talented core of upperclassmen.  The Braves’ offensive attack is led by point guard Nicole Bell (jr) who is a legitimate threat from long distance and is the little general on the field of battle.  As expected with a Scott Rogrs' guard oriented attack the Braves are guard heavy with Katie Marksberry (sr), Kelsey Mathews (sr), and Natalie Newton rounding out their attack.  Expect Coach Rogers to have his troops ready to make their last stand of the year deep into March.

To attack Patriots, Knights and Indians you need something that will stick and is sharp.  Coach Todd Varvell from Tipp City Tippecanoe is pretty happy in that case that he has a couple of top players returning in Breanna Stucke (sr Wright State) and Elise Sharpe (jr).  The Devils will get more help with experienced post play of senior Amanda Calhoun, the transfer Morgan Miller from Miami East to Tipp City along with the emergence of sophomore Erica Comer.  The Red Devils have enough ammunition on offense, but will need more solid defensive strategy to stay on the battlefield with other southwest powers.

Outside Looking In: Dayton Chaminade Julienne Eagles, Springfield Kenton Ridge Cougars, Bellbrook Golden Eagles & Columbus East Tigers

As other teams bring their methodical ground attacks, the Eagles of Dayton Chaminade Julienne will be attacking with speed and depth as they take advantage of their strong, young guard core. Coach Duane Williams’ Eagles don’t have the big name players you may be used to hearing in their lineup, but come first of the year Emily Michael (jr), Raytea Long (jr), Simone Gage (jr) and Krista White (soph) will be household names. These Eagles will be flying high and going for the kill as they gain more experience.  Don’t count these Eagles out, for if you do… they’ll be flying by you on their way to a nice tournament run.

Last but not least is the talented offensive attack from Springfield Kenton Ridge, led by Colonel Ed Foulk and Sargent Major Terry Toliver.  The Cougars don’t lack in talent, with top tier prospect Mariah Harris (jr) and Lindsey Fenwick (jr) leading the way, but have not been able to put it all together come March.  The Cougars will miss the inside presence of Alaina Lassiter who’s time was up for the Cougars and asked to be transferred to Columbus East for a new assignment.  Expect to see Kenton Ridge play more of an up-tempo style if they want to wait a little longer to hold up the white flag this year in the tournament.

A year away from being a serious challenger are the Bellbrook Golden Eagles as they are expected to start 2 juniors (Leisha Crawford & Shelby Sigman) along with 3 sophomores in Erin Dorn, Gabrielle Etter and Kelly Neuman.  

6'4 Angel Cooler and 6'0 transfer from Kenton Ridge give the Tigers from Columbus East as solid an inside game in D-II in the state... often quoted by Hubie, "post players get you to the tournament (play-offs), guards advance you"...no matter what the level, no matter what the gender...that is the question mark for East...who's gonna step up in the backcourt?

D-II Ontario Region (NW Ohio/West Cleveland)

Favorite(s): Sandusky Perkins Pirates

When you think of Sandusky, Ohio…you think of Cedar Point.  Coach Ray Neill will look to take his team on a ride to remember this year.  Look for the Pirates of Sandusky Perkins to be steadier in the water this year as they look to get back to the final four for the first time since 2006.  Coach Neill’s squad is young but powerful and will look to collect gold as they move from sectional, to district, to regional and beyond.  Many believe pirates don’t exist in the world anymore.  Those people haven’t been to Sandusky...those people have not heard of Jordan Fraley (jr), Shannon Ebert (soph), Darcy Daniel (soph) & Chelsea Smith (soph).

Challenger(s): Lima Bath Wildkittens & Walsh Jesuit Warriors

Expect to see familiar regional face, Lima Bath, challenging for their own birth to the final four.  Coach Greg Mauk’s Wildkittens are capable, once again, of pouncing over any team in the division on any given night.  Coach Mauk’s math historically has been 4 threes beat 5 twos...it will be interesting if he comes up with some "new" math this year. The Wildkittens have an extremely balanced inside outside roster this year with another Mauk (Emily), Jessica Johns, Emily Ruhe, Alyssa Brandon, Taylor Dackin, Liz Brock and Kate Singhaus If the Wildkittens play with the same confidence defensively, we could see the baby blue of Lima Bath filling the stands in Columbus.

Coach Z's Walsh Jesuit Warriors are always competitive and that will not change this year, even with the graduation of five of their top seven players and the loss of transfer point guard Rachel Theriot to Midpark.  The Warriors made their first appearance back to the final four last year since they won the Division II State Championship back in 2005. The Warrior’s attack will be led by post Lizzy Reeves (jr) in the middle along with a trio of guards in Maddie Sheppard (jr), Courtney Lacobacci (jr) and Sandra Yu (soph). The Warriors get a boost in January when fuel injecting point guard Alexa DeBord becomes eligible after transferring last year from Aurora.  

Outside Looking In: Clyde Fliers & Rocky River Pirates

Also looking to make a jump as an elite Division II team will be the Clyde Fliers.  Coach John Cahill is excited for the upcoming year as his team gets more experience and gains confidence.  Clyde will give Perkins a run for their money in the district and has the offensive fire-power to do so with their balanced inside out attack.  Expect big things from the Fliers this year and beyond.

Expect the Sandusky Perkins Pirates to not be the only group of Pirates searching for treasure in Ontario this year.  Last year’s Rocky River team made it to the regional tournament for the second straight year, losing eventually to state semi-finalist Walsh Jesuit.  This Rocky River teams has one of, if not the best player in the regional in Hannah McCue (jr).  McCue is versatile, being able to post up smaller guards and take posts out to the perimeter.  The Pirates of Rocky River have had a glimpse of the treasure but are searching for the big prize… a trip to the final four.

D-II Pickerington Region (SE/part of Central Ohio)

Favorite(s): Washington Courthouse Miami Trace Panthers & Minerva Lions

Coach James Stutzman of Washington Courthouse Miami Trace may have lost his best player (Jenna Cobb) to Butler University, but there is not a shortage of talent on his squad as the Panthers return 5 of their top 8 from last year’s final four team. The Panthers are led by senior pg Josey Hull and Youngstown State signee Ashley Lawson, a left hander who can really stroke it. Senior Juliane Mckay along with junior Kristin Reisinger and sophomore Deidre McKay are tournament tested with a comfort zone n the big stage. Add in the talents of freshman 6 footer Abby Schwenk and don’t be surprised to see a cat fight again this year in the regional final (Minerva Lions and Miami Trace Panthers).

The Lady Lions of Minerva High School and Coach Bruce Wright look to take a page out of the popular C.S. Lewis Book: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.  The Lady Lions are led by senior post player and Marquette recruit Chelsie Butler who is one of the few legit centers in the state.  Coach Wright will also look to get open shots for senior guard Taylor Maurer to limit teams from sagging down on Butler inside.  Last year’s Minerva team, which has all starters back, ended their tournament run in the regional final, losing to eventual final four participant, Washington Courthouse Miami Trace.  If Minerva can play on both ends of the floor with the heart of Lions, while not subjecting themselves to the magical spells and voices in the stands… they should be walking through the wardrobe to Columbus in mid-March.  

Challenger(s): Millersburg West Holmes Knights

Returning 3 All-League players has to got to have head coach Lisa Patterson  excited about the 2010-2011 season for the Millersburg West Holmes Knights.  The Knights will look for leadership from their upperclassmen in Paige Asche (sr) and Lindsy Snyder but will rely a lot on their talented super soph Justice Wright  and freshman phenom Laina Snyder. With what's in the grade school and middle school hopper for Coach Patterson, expect to see the Knights return to their glory days in the near future, having won state championships in 1984, 1985 and 1986.  They may be a year away to return to the final four, but you can bet they will be pulling out all the stops as they look to slay the Lions of Minerva and the Panthers of Miami Trace.

Outside Looking In: Chillicothe Unioto Sherman Tanks & Lewis Center Olentangy Braves

Morehead State ought to be arrested for stealing..in signing the Sherman Tanks' Mackenzie Arledge...she is load and can carry her team on her back into the regionals...just gotta keep them from jumping off !!!

It looks like all of Coach John Feasel's hard work and youth development programs from years ago are paying off as his Olivia Zwayer (Ohio Dominican) led Braves could be sending more than smoke signals come March. Great size a the guard slots and legit inside presence give them as balanced an attack as there will be in the Pickerington Region this year.

COMING NEXT WEEK...