Classic in the Country- all eyes are on Ohio
This weekend is the biggest weekend of the regular season in Ohio girls basketball, as the annual Classic in the Country will take place in historic Berlin Ohio. 22 games over three days will bring together many of the elite team from around Ohio, and Hiland High School will be full of next-level players that is expected to draw several college coaches from all across the country.
Eight games open the action on Saturday, while six games will be played on Sunday and eight more on Monday. Teams from Indiana and North Carolina will join the top teams in Ohio for what is sure to be a memorable weekend. Organizers are also hoping for a break from Mother Nature, as last year the event was affected by snow and wintery weather.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, or you can buy a weekend pass for the event. Every year, the talent that comes through Hiland this particular weekend is second to none. Check back next week for stories from the Classic in the Country.
Saturday, January 18 games
9:00am Fort Loramie vs Loudonville
This should be an interesting game. Loudonville is led by Huntington College commit Emily Seboe Emily Seboe 5'11" | CG Loudonville | 2020 OH , who has been one of the state’s top players this season. She is averaging 26 points and 14 boards per game this season. Grace Vermilya Grace Vermilya 6'0" | C Loudenville | 2021 OH is a junior averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game. Fort Loramie is one of two favorites in Division 4 to win the state title this year, with the other team, Tri Village playing in the second game. Loramie brings a defense like nobody else in Ohio, they are legit 10 deep and led by 2020 Marissa Meiring Marissa Meiring 5'10" | PF Fort Loramie High School | 2020 OH and 2021 Kenzie Hoeslcher, along with 2021 Dana Rose Dana Rose 6'0" | SF Fort Loramie | 2021 State OH .
10:30am Tri Village vs Margaretta
Another matchup bringing a top small school to battle an established bigger program. Tri Village is unbeaten, and have a very solid top seven. Senior Maddie Downing Maddie Downing 6'1" | C Tri-Village High School | 2020 OH will be in the running for Division 4 Player of the Year, while seniors Trisa Porter, Lissa Siler, Andi Bietry, sophomore Meghan Downing Meghan Downing 6'2" | C Tri Village | 2022 State OH along with the dynamic freshman duo of Rylee Sagester Rylee Sagester 5'6" | CG Tri Village | 2023 State OH and Morgan Hunt Morgan Hunt 5'10" | PF Tri Village | 2023 State OH will be a challenge. Margaretta is an experienced team who will look to exploit the youth of TV. Senior Jayden Moore Jayden Moore 5'8" | CG Margaretta | 2020 OH is headed to Tiffin, while fellow senior Taylor Malson is a challenging competitor.
12:00pm McKinley vs Mason
A new coach and a new group of leaders will be on the floor for McKinley, as they look to battle the traditionally-rich Mason squad in game three on Saturday. Junior Kyla Foster Kyla Foster 5'6" | CG Canton Mckinley | 2021 OH , a 5-foot-9 guard was honored by Prep Girls Hoops Ohio as an honorable mention 2021 when the season started, as was Nakyah Terrell Nakyah Terrell 5'7" | CG Canton Mckinley | 2021 State OH , a 5-foot-5 junior. The backcourt will be tough for Mason to handle. The Comets will bring in freshman Margo Mattes Margo Mattes 5'11" | CG OH , a 5-foot-11 wing along with 5-foot-10 forward junior Marilyn Popplewell.
1:30pm Napoleon vs Western Reserve
Western Reserve is among the small schools who could contend for a trip to Columbus this spring, as they bring back 6-foot-2 Danielle Vuletich Danielle Vuletich 6'3" | PF Western Reserve | 2021 State OH a Robert Morris recruit. She is very solid around the basket and was ranked the #20 junior by PGH Ohio in the preseason. Also they have guard Kennedy Miller, who is a solid floor leader with good handles and a good shot, along with Bethany signee Alyssa Serensky. Napoleon brings in Shae Pedroza Shae Pedroza 5'5" | CG Napoleon High School | 2020 OH just scored her 1,000th point, and is a solid 5-foot-5 guard. Likely their best defender is 5-foot-8 junior Taylor Strock Taylor Strock 5'5" | CG Napoleon | 2021 State OH .
3:00pm Lakota West vs Hoover
Lakota West is no stranger to the Classic in the Country, and coach Andy Fishman has another solid group. 6-foot-2 senior Nevaeh Dean Nevaeh Dean 6'2" | PF Cincinnati Lakota West High School | 2020 State OH is ranked #2 in Ohio behind Fairmont’s Madeline Westbeld Madeline Westbeld 6'3" | SF Fairmont High School | 2020 State OH . Dean is a strong physical force inside who makes things happen offensively and alters shots on defense. Sophomore Chance Gray Chance Gray 5'9" | PG Winton Woods | 2022 State #40 Nation OH entered the season ranked #4 in Ohio in the 2022 class, and has a lot of tools. Can score from the perimeter, can get to the rim and score in transition. Peyton Davis is the go-to player for Hoover, as the 5-foot-5 guard earned district honors last season.
4:30pm Kettering Fairmont vs Glen Oak
Fairmont has a solid starting group led by the #1 2020 in Ohio with Madeline Westbeld Madeline Westbeld 6'3" | SF Fairmont High School | 2020 State OH , along with #14 2020 Madison Bartley Madison Bartley 6'3" | C Fairmont High School | 2020 State OH , one of the strongest post duos in Ohio. Westbeld is going to Notre Dame and Bartley to Belmont. Kierra Thronton is a solid senior guard, and Makira Webster is a quick slasher who can defend and run the show on offense. Off the bench, Kyndall Ketterer is headed to Urbana. Glen Oak is struggling with injuries and they are led by senior guard Lexi Lemire.
6:00pm Laurel vs Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame
This could be quite a fun matchup. Laurel brings in all-district players Taylor Thierry Taylor Thierry 5'11" | PG Shaker Heights Laurel | 2021 State OH , a 5-foot-9 junior along with 6-foot senior Giulianna Marinozzi but they will have their hands full with the defending Division 1 state champs. KK Bransford KK Bransford 5'11" | PG Mount Notre Dame | 2022 State #6 Nation OH is the state’s top ranked 2022 and is being courted by every coach in the nation. 5-foot-10 senior guard Makira Cook Makira Cook 5'10" | CG Mount Notre Dame High School | 2020 State OH is ranked #4 in Ohio by PGH Ohio. They remain unbeaten heading into the game.
7:30pm Winston Salem Christian (NC) vs Berlin Hiland
The host Hiland always schedules the tough teams in this event, and they will be challenged by WSC. Hiland is a well coached team with a lot of weapons back. Three of their players are mentioned in the PGH Ohio 2021 rankings. Zoe Miller Zoe Miller 5'11" | C Hiland | 2021 State OH is a 5-foot-11 post ranked #21 in her class, while Brynn Mullet Brynn Mullet 5'9" | CG Berlin Hiland | 2021 OH is a 5-foot-7 guard and 5-foot-9 guard Morgan Yoder Morgan Yoder 5'8" | CG Berlin Hiland | 2021 State OH both ranked as honorable mention players right outside of the top 25.
Sunday, January 19 games
12:00pm Mason vs Newark
Mason returns for their second game of the weekend, and will match up with one of the state’s premier Division 1 teams from Newark. 6-foot junior guard Emma Schumate returns as the #12 ranked 2021 in Ohio according to the PGH Ohio preseason rankings, but she will get plenty of help. Peyton Lunsford Peyton Lunsford 5'7" | CG Newark | 2021 OH is a 5-foot-7 junior guard who is among the top players in Ohio in that same class. Also senior Gabby Stare Gabby Stare 5'8" | CG Newark High School | 2020 OH , a 5-foot-8 guard is headed to Ohio Dominican to play basketball and volleyball according to her former AAU coach Dante Harlan.
1:30pm Eastlake North vs Kettering Fairmont
Destiny Leo Destiny Leo 5'9" | CG Eastlake High School | 2020 State OH (pictured above/photo by the News-Herald) became the all-time leading scorer at Eastlake North this season, as the senior who is headed to Cleveland State leads the way for the Rangers. Also 5-foot-10 Akron commit Abby Carter is among the top players in Ohio. Fairmont is playing their second game of the tournament.
3:00pm Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame vs Winston Salem Christian (NC)
Both of these two teams will take the court for the second consecutive day at the Classic. Mount Notre Dame is coming off a big win on Monday against a very talented Centerville team, where four players scored in double figures. In addition to Bransford and Cook, MND brings to the table 2021 Laila Phelia and 2020 Grace Centrulla as scoring threats.
4:30pm Toledo Notre Dame vs Lakota West
Ranked as the #2 2022 in Ohio by PGH Ohio back in October is 6-foot-2 forward Grace VanSlooten Grace VanSlooten 6'3" | PF IMG Academy | 2022 State #23 Nation FL . Grace is a player who can hurt you from all over the floor, she has solid range, will score at the rim and her length will create problems on defense. Also ranked in the preseason was 2023 5-foot-6 guard Tamyah Garrison Tamyah Garrison 5'6" | PG Toledo Notre Dame Academy | 2023 OH who was on the PGH Ohio watch list, along with 2021 Olivia Sims Olivia Sims 5'6" | CG Toledo Notre Dame Academy | 2021 State OH , a 5-foot-8 guard. In addition to Gray and Dean, who was spotlighted for their game on Saturday, another Lakota West player to watch is 6-foot junior Kailyn Dudukovich.
6:00pm Glen Oak vs Huber Heights Wayne
Glen Oak plays on consecutive days at the Classic, while Wayne gets a chance to showcase their talent for the coaches, and they have plenty of it. Not only is 2020 Nyla Hampton Nyla Hampton 5'7" | CG Wayne High School | 2020 State OH going to Bowling Green, and 2020 Jaida Wolfork is headed to Purdue-Fort Wayne, the non-seniors are talented. Bree Hall, ranked #1 in 2021 by PGH Ohio is a 6-foot guard, while Alyssa Hargrove-Hall is a 5-foot 10 guard also in that class. Two more players expected to draw attention from the coaches are 2021s Lovie Malone (5-foot-10 guard) and Jacquel Bronaugh (6-foot-2 post).
7:30pm Gahanna Lincoln vs Centerville
This should be a great final game on Sunday between two D1 state powers. Lincoln brings in 2020 Edyn Battle Edyn Battle 5'7" | CG Gahanna Lincoln High School | 2020 State OH , a 5-foot-7 guard ranked #19 by PGH Ohio, and she will her talents on display in this epic battle. Two other 2020s listed right outside of the PGH Ohio Top 25 are Morgan Darnell Morgan Darnell Gahanna-Lincoln High School | 2020 OH and Kennedy Harris Kennedy Harris 5’8 | CG Gahanna-Lincoln High School | 2020 OH . 2021 Neomi Glover Neomi Glover 5'10" | PF Gahanna Lincoln | 2020 OH is a 5-foot-10 forward who is talented as is Naomi Johnson Naomi Johnson 5'8" | PF Gahanna Lincoln | 2021 OH a 5-foot-10 forward. Centerville brings in 2022 #3 Cotie McMahon Cotie McMahon 5'11" | SG Centerville | 2022 #28 Nation OH , a 5-foot-10 guard, along with Bowling Green recruit Amy Velasco Amy Velasco 5'8" | CG Centerville | 2021 State OH , a 5-foot-6 junior. 2023 Kendal George Kendal George 5'9" | CG Centerville | 2023 State OH has vaulted up the radar with a great season so far.
Monday, January 20 games
9:00am Reynoldsburg vs New Philadelphia
Traditionally a solid program from around central Ohio, Reynoldsburg opens up the action on Monday. Senior Kyria Walker Kyria Walker 5'9" | CG Reynoldsburg High School | 2020 OH , a 5-foot-9 guard was listed as a PGH Ohio Special Mention player back in the October rankings.
10:30am Solon vs Princeton
Princeton has a super sophomore in Kya Oldacre, a 6-foot-5 sophomore ranked #10 in the PGH Ohio preseason rankings. Also for the Vikings, Sole Williams Sole Williams 5'7" | CG Cincinnati Princeton | 2023 State OH leads the way as the 5-foot-8 freshman is sitting right at 12 points per game. Senior Ashley Davis is the senior leader also at around 12 ppg.
12:00pm Homestead (IN) vs Pickerington Central
Homestead is one of the top schools in the state of Indiana, and they will bring in a talented team to the Classic. 6-foot-1 senior Sydney Graber is the #8 ranked senior in Indiana, and will be headed to Central Michigan next season. She can score at the basket and has deep range. 6-foot junior Amber Austin is also among the top 50 2021 kids in her state, while another junior Grace Sullivan is headed to Ferris State. While everyone will love Graber, coaches will be focused in on 6-foot-3 sophomore wing Ayanna Patterson, the top-ranked 2022 in Indiana. Wait until you see her. Pickerington Central has been among Ohio’s best for the past several years, and will be led by seniors Nicole Stephens Nicole Stephens 5'6" | CG Pickerington Central High School | 2020 State OH (5-foot-6 guard, #15 PGH Ohio), Aarionna Redman (5-foot-7 guard), juniors Skye Williams Skye Williams 5'11" | SG Pickerington Central | 2021 State #98 Nation OH (5-foot-11 guard, #5 PGH Ohio) and Jocelyn Tate Jocelyn Tate 5'11" | PF Pickerington Central | 2021 State OH (5-foot-11 forward, #9 PGH Ohio).
1:30pm Huber Heights Wayne vs Aurora
This will be one of the best individual matchups of the entire weekend. As mentioned earlier, Wayne is loaded with several next level players including the #1 player in 2021 Bree Hall. The #2 2021 in Ohio just happens to be Shyanne Sellers Shyanne Sellers 6'0" | SG Aurora | 2021 State #41 Nation OH , a 6-foot guard from Aurora. This matchup pits #1 vs #2. Should be a great one for fans and coaches to see.
3:00pm Centerville vs Toledo Notre Dame
Both teams played on Sunday, and will match up in this great battle between two of the top 3 players in the 2022 class; Van Slooten (#2) and McMahon (#3).
4:30pm Mercy McAuley vs Wadsworth
Mercy McAuley just knocked off Ryle, a traditional power out of Kentucky and brings in three next level kids. Senior Alexa Flemming Alexa Flemming 5'6" | CG Mercy McAuley High School | 2020 OH is a 5-foot-6 senior guard listed as a PGH Ohio Special Mention prior to the start of the season. Ashley Tudor, a D1 recruit and a 5-foot-8 senior is another player who will be heavily counted on. The leading scorer is another senior in Alexandria Smith. Wadsworth has 2020 Taylor Leatherman Taylor Leatherman 5'9" | CG Wadsworth | 2020 OH , a 5-foot-9 guard who was mentioned as a PGH Ohio Special Mention. Also guard Maggie Long returns as a key player.
6:00pm Doylestown Chippewa vs Beloit West Branch
West Branch will return key senior Peyton Alazaus Peyton Alazaus 5'9" | CG West Branch | 2020 OH , a 5-foot-9 senior who comes off an all-district season as a junior. Veteran head coach Denny Schrock always has solid kids at Chippewa, including 5-foot-11 senior Celina Koncz Celina Koncz 6'0" | PF Doylestown Chippewa High School | 2020 State OH and are a very young team. Taylor Thomas Taylor Thomas 5'7" | CG Doylestown Chippewa | 2021 OH is having a solid season for Chippewa averaging double figures while they also bring in key freshman Annabel Rodriguez Annabel Rodriguez 5'8" | CG Chippewa | 2023 State OH .
7:30pm Shelby vs Berlin Hiland
Senior Emma Randall Emma Randall 6’0 | CG Shelby High School | 2020 State OH is a 6-foot senior guard at Shelby who was ranked #23 in the preseason 2020 PGH Ohio rankings, averaging 14 points per game. Earning mention in the PGH Ohio 2022 rankings was 5-foot-5 guard Sophia Niese Sophia Niese 5'6" | CG Shelby | 2022 State OH who is averaging 5 assists and 8 points. Also for Shelby, 2022 Olivia Baker Olivia Baker 5'8" | CG Shelby | 2022 State OH (15 points, 6.5 rebounds) is a key contributor, along with sophomore Haylee Baker and junior Sydnie Seiber.