2020-2021 Conference Preview: Wayne County Athletic League
The Wayne County Athletic League is an athletic conference spanning schools from Wayne and Ashland Counties. The high schools comprising the league include Chippewa, Dalton, Hillsdale, Northwestern, Norwayne, Rittman, Smithville, Waynedale. 5 Players to Watch: (schools are as of last…
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Continue ReadingThe Wayne County Athletic League is an athletic conference spanning schools from Wayne and Ashland Counties. The high schools comprising the league include Chippewa, Dalton, Hillsdale, Northwestern, Norwayne, Rittman, Smithville, Waynedale.
5 Players to Watch:
(schools are as of last year – unless PGH is 100% certain that a player has enrolled elsewhere)
Brooklyn Troyer Brooklyn Troyer 5'9" | CG Waynedale | 2021 State OH – 5’9 Guard – Waynedale – Class of 2021
Taylor Thomas Taylor Thomas 5'7" | CG Doylestown Chippewa | 2021 OH – 5’9 Guard – Chippewa – Class of 2021
Caitlin DeMassimo – 5’8 Guard – Norwayne – Class of 2021
Kelsey Wolfe – 5’8 Guard – Waynedale – Class of 2021
Annabel Rodriguez Annabel Rodriguez 5'8" | CG Chippewa | 2023 State OH – 5’8 Guard – Chippewa – Class of 2023
4 Thoughts:
This could be Waynedale’s best team in school history. The Golden Bears won their last league and district championships in 2006 – they are hoping to break those streaks this winter. Led by a trio of guards that matches in the WCAL – Brooklyn Troyer Brooklyn Troyer 5'9" | CG Waynedale | 2021 State OH , Kelsey Wolfe and Laney Murphy Laney Murphy 5'8" | SG Waynedale | 2021 OH – the Bears should be able to handle pressure defenses as the season carries on. A lack of true size is the only real question mark that the Golden Bears have, but they are hoping to spread opponents out and shoot their way to a WCAL championship from the perimeter.
Chippewa is really young, but also really talented. Taylor Thomas Taylor Thomas 5'7" | CG Doylestown Chippewa | 2021 OH showed last winter and throughout this off-season that she is capable of carrying her team offensively. Denny Schrock’s sophomore class is one of the best in Northeast Ohio – featuring 5 girls that could log substantial minutes this winter, including standout Annabel Rodriguez Annabel Rodriguez 5'8" | CG Chippewa | 2023 State OH and her classmates Tristan Nash Tristan Nash 5'7" | CG Doylestown Chippewa | 2023 OH , Kendal Shiarla Kendal Shiarla 5'9" | SF Doylestown Chippewa | 2023 OH , Abby Henegar Abby Henegar 5'8" | SG Doylestown Chippewa | 2023 OH and Jacklyn Jundzilo. The experience of Taylor Lambert, Ally Henegar and Sophia Cazzolli makes Chippewa a deep squad who can legitimately threaten Waynedale for the league title.
Norwayne has a veteran bunch with league championship aspirations of their own. Caitlyn DeMassimo is an All-Ohio talent who is back for her fourth year to lead the way for the Bobcats. Olivia Stanley, Grace Deidrick and Andrea Maibach will need to stay healthy for Norwayne to have a shot at the league crown – the Bobcats have battled injuries the past few seasons.
Dalton does have some pieces left from last year’s league/district championship team. The Bulldogs won their first WCAL championship in league history last winter – although they lost a big-time trio of guards to graduation. Tess Denning could help Dalton stay in the mix if she establishes herself as a true low-post presence. Mia Weaver, Lauren Clos, Ella Lunsford and Kylee Johnson will all need to insert themselves as scorers, as well.
3 Big Games:
Chippewa @ Dalton on November 24th
Norwayne @ Waynedale on December 10th
Waynedale @ Chippewa on February 4th
2 Fun Facts:
Northwestern (Brian Kiper) and Smithville (Eric Nickles) both have new coaches – although both leaders are familiar to area hoops fans. Kiper heads to Huskytown after a stint at his alma mater, Triway. Nickles comes over from the College of Wooster (men’s) – previously he had short stints as the head coach of the Rittman girls and Hillsdale boys.
Brooklyn Troyer Brooklyn Troyer 5'9" | CG Waynedale | 2021 State OH is already over 1000 points in her standout career at Waynedale. She has a chance to cement herself as one of the WCAL’s all-time leading scorers with a good senior season. It’s possible that her teammate, Kelsey Wolfe, joins her in the 1000 point club – this winter.
1 League Champion Prediction:
Waynedale