SW District Sectional Preview- Division 1 Troy
It’s hard to believe but it is that time of year already. The OHSAA held their statewide tournament draw on Sunday, and now every team in Ohio knows their path to the state tournament in Columbus the weekend of March…
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Continue ReadingIt’s hard to believe but it is that time of year already. The OHSAA held their statewide tournament draw on Sunday, and now every team in Ohio knows their path to the state tournament in Columbus the weekend of March 12-14.
Over the next several days, I will be breaking down each of the sectional tournament sites in both Dayton and Cincinnati, leading up to the start of sectional play next week. The first official tournament games will be held on Wednesday, February 12, so until then enjoy reading about some of the key players to watch.
Today, a look at the first round Division 1 games that will be held at Troy High School.
Division 1 Sectionals @ Troy High School
Thursday, Feburary 13
#6 Beavercreek vs #13 Tecumseh 6:00- Coach Ed Zink continues to keep Beavercreek as a winning program, as he is closing in on 800 career wins, the most in Ohio history. Beavercreek is a very balanced team, with their leading scorer Maci Rhoades (5-8 soph) at just under nine points per game. Anna Landing, who just committed to Cedarville University, is a 6-2 junior averaging 7.4 while Trinity Bean is a rising junior close to 6ppg. Tecumseh brings in one of the fastest rising juniors in the area in Terah Harness, a 5-10 junior who can score inside/out. They also have some very talented and tested freshmen Mackenzie Chinn, Emma Garber and Gabrielle Russell leading the way. They have no seniors and sit 7-2 in their conference. The winner plays Troy (Macie Taylor, 5-8 Soph) who took a bye.
#19 Stebbins vs #1 Fairmont 7:30- it has been a rough year for Stebbins, who sits 4-15 at the time of the draw. They are looking for someone to step up and lead the offense, as they only average 30 ppg as a team. Diamond Baker is a promising 5-9 freshman who has reached double figures this season in a few games, while another youngster is 6-1 sophomore Kaitlyn Seibel, who has also had her moments. Fairmont will have the advantage at every position in this one with Notre Dame signee Madeline Westbeld (#1 2020 PGH) and Madison Bartley (headed to Belmont) controlling the paint. Seniors Kierra Thornton and Makira Webster are a dangerous backcourt and watch for the emerging sophomore Mallory Hullinger, who I liked when I saw her at the Classic. Off the bench is Urbana signee Kyndall Ketterer. The winner plays West Carrollton who took a bye.
Saturday, February 15
#17 Fairborn vs #3 Centerville 11:00- the powerful Elks open with a Fairborn team who has played better later in the season. Centerville brings in 6-foot sophomore Cotie McMahon, along with BGSU recruit 5-8 junior Amy Velasco. Freshman Kendal George, a 5-9 guard can light it up from the three as she has 48 on the season. Emma Stanley is a senior guard who has had some solid games of late, including a good performance at the Classic in the Country. Fairborn has played better of late, battling MVL Miami Division leading Tippecanoe even for the first half, and cruising past second-place Butler by 20. Sophomore guard Natalie Oktavec (5-7) has been their steadiest scorer all year, and junior guard Jodee Austin is a good floor general. Khala Powell is back from ACL surgery and is playing herself back into basketball shape. The winner plays Franklin (Jordan Rogers, 5-10 Jr) who took a bye.
#4 Springboro vs #11 Northmont 12:30- another one on paper that looks like a heavy favorite for the Panthers, who are deep and talented. Peyton Nation and Jordan Hobbs are their offensive leaders. Nation is a 5-10 junior averaging 14.4 and Hobbs (headed to Rice) is right behind her at 13.8 ppg. McKel Nation is a 6-foot senior (headed to Gannon) who provides solid play along with senior Olivia Majors who is a threat from the perimeter. Haley Crozier and Jordan Crase also can fill it up from the outside, while Julie Secrist is a solid and steady senior leader. Northmont brings in 5-7 senior Kaitlyn McCrary who is headed to Otterbein. She is averaging 14.6 points and nearly 3 assists and 4 steals per game. Dasia Turner is a 5-11 junior who is also close to double figures, while senior Gabby Kline is a solid post presence nearly averaging a double-double along with Turner.
#8 Butler vs #9 Sidney 2:00- its the rubber match between the two Miami Valley League foes. Butler is without one of their steady players this season in Evan Neely, but growing up quickly as the leader is freshman Sami Bardonaro, a 5-8 guard who has reached double figures 6 of their last 8 games, and is averaging 12.4 on the season. Gracie Price is a senior guard who has shines at times this year, while players like Emily Ledbetter, Ella Neely and Blair Kindrick have all taken on a bigger role with the loss of Neely. Sidney has enjoyed the biggest turnaround in Ohio this season, going from 0-23 last year to current 14-5 and MVL Valley Division Champions. Freshman Allie Stockton is the best player in the MVL Valley averaging 15.7 pts, while fellow freshman Lexee Brewer is seeing her numbers increase to 8.4 pts. Junior Samantha Reynolds is another kid capable of a big game, as is sophomore Peyton Wiley and junior Kelsey Kiser.