STORY BY MATT NATALI & DAVE BIDDLE G i r l s B a s k e t b a l l T o u r n a m e n t P r e v i e w CAT ATTACK Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame appearred in its third straight Division-I final last season and captured its second title. The Cougars were ranked No. 10 in the final D-I AP poll this year. Photo by Gary Housteau JJHUDDLE.COM 39
T he Ohio high school girls basketball landscape for the 2006-07 season is an even mix of teams that were expected to do well coming into the season as well as some new surprises among the state s top teams. The traditional powers in each division will be major players in the tournament, including Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, Wadsworth, West Chester Lakota West, Warsaw River View, South Euclid Regina, Fort Recovery and Berlin Hiland to name a few. There are few new faces on the block that have been a nice surprise while others have risen back to the top of the ranks like Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit, Kettering Alter, Dublin Scioto, Delphos St. John s and Columbus Africentric. Three of the four defending state champions are in legitimate contention to defend their titles with aforementioned Mount Notre Dame, Warsaw River View and Berlin Hiland all mainstays in the top 10 of their respective divisional polls throughout the regular season. Last season s Division III state champion Plain City Jonathan Alder has fallen off the pace after taking a heavy hit from graduation. Here is a division-by-division look at some of the contenders for the state championships this season in Ohio high school girls basketball: Division I Mount Notre Dame has won two of the last three Division I state championships (2004, 2006) and finished as the state runner-up in 2005. In the five seasons under head coach Scott Rogers leading up to this year, the Cougars are 115-19 including a perfect 28-0 season in 2004. This year, long-time assistant Dante Harlan took on the co-head coach duties as Rogers took a step back from his head coaching role. Despite the minor coaching shake up and the loss of some key players, Mount Notre Dame has to be considered a top contender in the division. The Cougars picked up huge wins in the regular season over West Chester Lakota West, Columbus Eastmoor Academy and Notre Dame Prep (Mass.). In northern Ohio, Wadsworth topped the polls throughout the regular season behind four returning starters including two fouryear starters in 6-2 Jen Uhl (Bowling Green) and 5-9 Cassie Shrock. The Lady Vikings dropped their season opener to North Canton Hoover 64-62 but rebounded to win 16 consecutive games with a week left in the regular season. Wadsworth also had nice wins over Stow- Munroe Falls and Youngstown Boardman. Speaking of North Canton Hoover, with a week left in the regular season, two of the Lady Vikings three losses came to teams ranked in the top five in USA Today s national rankings and the third was to Division III powerhouse South Euclid Regina. The Lady Vikings have looked to the leadership of four returning starters in senior point guard Steph Gibson, junior power forward Brittany Orban, junior guard/forward Jackie Nicodemo and senior forward Giavana DiPietro. Dublin Scioto returned all five starters this season and the Irish rode an undefeated record into the last week of the regular season. Behind 6-0 forward and Bowling Green recruit Crystal Murdough, Scioto claimed big wins over Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, Reynoldsburg and Brookhaven. The Irish shared the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division championship with Pickerington Central. Youngstown Boardman only returned one starter this season but the Lady Spartans have lurked at the top of the state poll all season as well. Forward Courtney Schiffauer is rated as the No. 17 junior in the state by The PlayGround Report and has led a Spartans team that starts two freshmen. Going into the last week of the regular season, Boardman s only loss came to West Chester Lakota West in the Classic in the Country after defeating the Firebirds last season in the event. Boardman had big regular season wins over 2006 state runner-up Solon, Canton McKinley and North Canton Hoover. Lakota West, which finished 19-5 last season, faced a tough regular season but fared well with two wins over Cincinnati Princeton and wins over Brentwood (Tenn.), Scott County (Ky.) and Youngstown Boardman. Power forward Amber Gray, who is rated as the No. 3 player in the country at her position by the College Girls Basketball Report, led the Greater Miami Conference in points per game (20.7), rebounds (8.6) and blocks (1.5). Pickerington Central reached the state tournament last year and could make a bid to return with the talent the Lady Tigers have put on the court. Forward and Boston College recruit Veronica Wilson is a four-year starter and has provided scoring ability and rebounding skills. Sophomore forward Emilee Harmon has complemented Wilson nicely in the frontcourt while senior forward Kathleen Williams and junior guard Kristin Stevens have provided the ability to score and rebound as well. Pickerington Central s biggest wins this season came again South Euclid Regina, Lancaster and Mount Notre Dame. Also Keep an Eye On: Toledo Waite, Trotwood-Madison, Findlay, Cincinnati Oak Hills, Pickerington North, Marion Harding, Canfield Kettering Fairmont and Vandalia Butler. State Championship Pick: Wadsworth over Mount Notre Dame 40 JJHUDDLE.COM
FINAL AP POLLS First place votes in parenthesis DIVISION I 1. Dublin Scioto (8) 19-0 235 2. Wadsworth (13) 18-1 221 3. Toledo Waite (1) 16-1 178 4, Lakota West 17-2 167 5. Pickerington Central 17-3 138 6. Noth Canton Hoover (2) 17-3 95 7. Findlay 16-2 93 8. Cin. Oak Hills 18-2 82 9. Youngstown Boardman 14-3 64 10. Cin. Mt. Notre Dame 15-4 63 Others: 11. Pickerington North 20 Photo by Nick Falzerano DIVISION II 1. Indian Lake (8) 19-1 218 2. Warsaw River View (9) 19-1 214 3. Cuy. Falls Walsh Jesuit (4) 18-1 196 4. Circleville (1) 19-1 163 5. Shelby (1) 17-1 135 6. Alter (2) 18-2 115 7. Little Miami 16-3 79 8. Sandusky Perkins 15-3 60 9. Miami Trace 17-2 59 10. Cols. Eastmoor 14-4 33 Others: 11 (tie), Warren Howland (1), Zanesville W. Muskingum 21. Free for All Division II poll champion Indian Lake is led by seniors Jenna Smith and Erin Nelson (above). Keep an eye out for Tippecanoe, led by Lauren Sharpe (right) and defending state champ River View (bottom). DIVISION III 1. South Euclid Regina (16) 18-1 228 2. Anna (4) 20-0 223 3. Cle. Central Catholic 17-1 187 4. Delphos St. John's (3) 18-0 178 5. Atwater Waterloo 18-1 128 6. Zanesville Maysville (1) 19-1 109 7. Old Wash. Buckeye Trail (1) 19-0 101 8. Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 17-1 71 9. Sugarcreek Garaway 16-3 52 10. Versailles 17-3 25 Others: 11. Brookfield (1) 18. DIVISION IV 1. Cols. Africentric (16) 19-1 228 2. Bas, Hopewell-Loudon (7) 19-0 227 3. Toledo Ottawa Hills 16-0 161 4. Berlin Hiland (1) 16-4 143 5. Kirtland (1) 16-1 133 6. Fort Recovery (1) 17-2 132 7. East Canton 16-3 112 8, Fremont St. Joseph 16-2 71 9, Fostoria St. Wendelin 16-2 52 10, Ottoville 14-4 30 Others: 11, New Knoxville 24. Photo by Mike Ullery/miamivalleyphotography.com Photo by Gary Housteau JJHUDDLE.COM 41
Division II Warsaw River View, the defending champion in Division II, continued right where the Lady Bears left off last year. Senior Kristin Daugherty, who was the Division II co-player of the year last year and is a University of Dayton recruit, has led River View with sophomore sister Kari in the paint. The Lady Bears saw a 37-game winning streak come to an end with a 60-48 loss to Columbus Africentric in the Classic in the Country. But much like the season-opening loss to Millersburg West Holmes last season, the loss to Africentric could be the wake-up call that carries River View back to the state tournament. After claiming the Division II state title in the 2004-05 season, Walsh Jesuit finds itself at the top of the division again this year. The Lady Warriors got big wins over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Shaker Heights, Columbus St. Francis DeSales and Akron Hoban. Walsh Jesuit s first loss came in the last week of the season with 60-48 loss to South Euclid Regina. Both schools were ranked No. 1 in their respective Divisions going into the game. Junior Brianna Segerson has been the go-to player Walsh Jesuit all season. Morrow Little Miami reached its first state tournament last season and could make serious bid to return this year. With six players from the nine player rotation last year including senior guard Kelly Hicks, Brook Sowards and twins Stacey and Kelly Goode at guard and forward, respectively, the Lady Panthers will be a threat in the tournament. Little Miami hit a stretch in early January, losing three of four games. But tournament experience from last year will be invaluable for the Lady Panthers. Hicks leads the Fort Ancient Valley Conference in field goal percentage (54.1). Another team out of southwest Ohio that is primed to make a run in the tournament is Kettering Alter despite graduating five seniors off last year s team, including three starters. Three-year starter Louise VandenBosh (10.3 ppg), sophomore guard Courtney Chihio (6.3 ppg), Megan Waterman (7.9 ppg) and Sarah Tahy (6.8 ppg) have all stepped up in the wake of the players lost. Alter scored two big wins over rival Chaminade-Julienne in the regular season and also had notable wins over Kettering Fairmont, Dayton Carroll, Trotwood- Madison and Centerville. Lewistown Indian Lake is a newcomer to the top teams in Division II. The Lady Lakers first loss came in early February to Central Buckeye Conference rival Tipp City Tippecanoe 60-45 two months to the day after topping the Lady Red Devils 63-60. Erin Nelson averaged 17.8 ppg and Jenna Smith was good for 16.8 per contest in the regular season. In Central Ohio, Circleville looked strong at the end of the regular season with its only notch in the loss column coming against Washington C.H. Miami Trace. With senior leadership behind Dava Betts, Molly Highfill, Katelyn Kalinoski, Lacey Reedy and Susan Stanley, Circleville is looking to improve upon its 20-4 regional semifinals finish last year. Also Keep an Eye On: Washington C.H. Miami Trace, Shelby, Morrow Little Miami, Sandusky Perkins, Ravenna Southeast, Columbus Eastmoor Academy, Warren Howland, Tipp City Tippecanoe, Defiance, Kenton Ridge. State Championship Pick: Warsaw River View over Walsh Jesuit Division III South Euclid Regina is back as the team to beat in Division III. Regina, which took a one-year hiatus from the state final four last year, was ranked No. 1 in the state in D-III by the Associated Press at press time with a 17-1 record (the lone loss coming against Shaker Heights, 65-64). The Royals are led by one of the top overall players in the state in 5-9 junior guard Shay Selby who is averaging over 20 points per game. Selby, who is a Duke recruit, averaged 22 points as a sophomore and was named second-team all-state. But it s not a one-girl show as senior center Lauren Gray is also having a solid season for Regina offensively, defensive and on the boards. Regina has captured four state championships recently (2001-03, 2005) and this year could be no different. But don t tell that to Anna High School, which was undefeated (17-0) and ranked No. 2 in the state at press time. The powerful Anna team is led by 6-1 senior center Sarah Schulze, who averaged 23 points per game and was named first-team All-Ohio last year. Anna is ranked as the No. 1 Division III team in the Miami Valley by the Dayton Daily News. Another team to watch is Cleveland Central Catholic, which was 15-1 and ranked No. 3 in the state at press time. The Lady Ironmen are led by one of the favorites for Ohio s Ms. Basketball award, 6-4 senior center Jantel Lavender. Lavender, who signed with Ohio State in the fall, averages over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. She was one of the top recruits in the nation and picked the Buckeyes over Connecticut. One of Lavender s best games this season came in a 51-44 win over a solid Bedford Chanel team, when she had 29 points. CCC s lone loss thus far came at the hands of Division III Columbus Eastmoor, 51-46. Lavender s supporting cast includes Candyce Flynn and Angela Bryant, a pair of capable scorers. Ranked No. 4 in the state at press time was undefeated (17-0) Delphos St. John s. The Jays are led by Brittany Pohlman and their biggest win to date was a 46-44 thriller at Fort Recovery, the No. 3-ranked team in the state in Division IV. The win clinched the MAC championship for St. John s. Sugarcreek Garaway, a state semifinalist last year, is led by junior guard Laura Bardall, who was a second-team all-state selection last year. The Lady Pirates will be a team to watch come tournament time. Defending D-III state champion Jonathan Alder was 10-6 and unranked at press time. The Pioneers returned just one starter this season, but it was star senior Lauren Prochaska. She is averaging around 25 points again this season, but her supporting cast hasn t stepped up. However, Alder still had a good chance at press time at winning a district title, but they would likely have to get past Amanda- Clearcreek and then Marion Pleasant. Also Keep an Eye On: Atwater Waterloo, Zanesville Maysville, Versailles, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale, Castalia Margaretta, Brookfield, Columbus Bishop Ready Marion Pleasant and Old Washington Buckeye Trail. State Championship Pick: South Euclid Regina over Sugarcreek Garaway 42 JJHUDDLE.COM
Division IV Columbus Africentric appears to be the team to beat in Division IV. The Nubians were 17-1 and ranked No. 1 in the state by the AP at press time. Africentric is led by 5-8 junior guard Tyeasha Moss who averages 20 points per game. Last year, Moss averaged 17.9 points per game last year and was named second-team All-Ohio. Right on the Nubians heels is Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, which was 19-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state at press time. The Chieftains are led by Courtney Ritzler and Kim Hohman who each average double-figures in scoring. As mentioned in the D-III preview, the No. 3 D-IV team in the state is Fort Recovery (14-2). It is led by Holly Stein (who went over 1,000 points for her career earlier this season) and Tiffany Gaerke. And lurking at the No. 4 spot is twotime defending state champion Berlin Hiland (13-3). Hiland is led by high-scoring 5-8 junior guard Jana Stutzman, 5-8 senior guard Lydia Miller (a Cedarville University commitment) and 6-1 junior center Kristy Yoder. A trio of freshmen (Hilary Weaver, Jessica Stutzman and Mykelia Mast) also provide a spark for the Hawks. In the preseason, Hiland coach Dave Schlabach was asked if he thought a three-peat was realistic. Yeah, we think we can compete for the state championship again, but we re a long way away from that, he said. We ve got very good skilled players back, but we lost most of our power and strength from last year. I think this year s team has good shooters and ball-handlers, but finding that post presence and that rebounding presence is what I m most concerned about. East Canton was the 2006 runner-up and the Wizards are led by high-scoring junior guard Caitlin Sharp. Also Keep an Eye On: Toledo Ottawa Hills, Kirtland, Ottoville, Fremont St. Joseph, New Knoxville, Minster and Fostoria St. Wendelin. State Championship Pick: Columbus Africentric over East Canton. OH Photo by Jeff Brehm THREE-PEAT? Berlin Hiland senior Lydia Miller (left) is looking to help lead the Hawks to their third straight D-IV crown. Miller has committed to Cedarville University. JJHUDDLE.COM 43