Northwest Ohio girls high school basketball preview
11/22/2013
Jayda Worthy has been a key player on the Eagles’ back-to-back state semifinalist teams. She was the leading scorer last season.
ND looks for big things with Big 3
Ten years ago, the St. John’s Jesuit basketball team had a “Big Three” trio of standout players in its lineup with then-senior guard Brian Roberts along with junior forwards B.J. Raymond and Zach Hillesland.
The Big Three took the Titans to the Division I state semifinals in 2003, to the D-I state championship game in 2004, then went on to impressive college careers at Dayton, Xavier, and Notre Dame, respectively.
Last year, Roberts made it the NBA after having toiled in professional leagues overseas.
A decade later, Toledo high school basketball has another Big Three, this time in the girls game at Notre Dame. READ MORE.
2013-14 high school girls basketball schedules
CITY LEAGUE
Rogers revved and ready to roll again
A year ago, the Rogers girls basketball team struggled to find a real challenge during City League games.
That probably won’t change this year.
The two-time defending champions, who have five players signed to play in college, are unanimous favorites to win the title again. READ MORE.
NORTHERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE
A tight three-team race is expected in the Northern Buckeye Conference but a new champion is predicted to emerge.
Genoa was picked to edge out Lake and defending champion Elmwood for the crown. The Comets are seeking their first league title since they shared the Suburban Lakes League title in 2007-08 with the Royals.
Genoa went just 8-15 overall and 3-11 in league play last season. But four starters return for coach Mike DeStazio, including the league's top scorer and the leading rebounder. READ MORE.
NORTHERN LAKES LEAGUE
Perrysburg picked to repeat crown
The Northern Lakes League is loaded with top returning talent this season.
Seven of the eight players who earned All-NLL first-team honors are back.
Perrysburg, which finished undefeated in league play last year, is led by All-Ohio post player Sarah Baer. The Yellow Jackets are picked by the NLL coaches to repeat as champions.
There are three starters and two other letter winners back for Perrysburg (23-2 overall, 14-0 NLL) which reached the Division I regional semifinal before losing to Notre Dame. READ MORE.
NORTHWEST OHIO ATHLETIC LEAGUE
Archbold picked to win league again
It's a new girls basketball season, but the objectives haven't changed for Archbold.
The Blue Streaks expect to be the best in the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
With seven returning letter winners Archbold is the preseason unanimous pick to win it all again.
The Blue Streaks are led by Division III All-Ohio first-team performer Cassidy Wyse, who led them to a 25-2 record and regional final last year. READ MORE.
TOLEDO AREA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Toledo Christian aims for repeat
When the Toledo Christian girls basketball team was picked to win the Toledo Area Athletic Conference before last season, Eagles coach Tandy Bradford was confident but also knew unseating Ottawa Hills wouldn’t be easy.
Toledo Christian (20-4, 14-0 TAAC) passed that test, and now hopes to make the next step — repeating as champion.
“The girls have worked really hard and have dedicated themselves to making the program a perennial program that’s known in the district and the region,” Bradford said. “They have high standards, and they are not just known for basketball. They play multiple sports here and are successful at all sports. That translates well into basketball.” READ MORE.
THREE RIVERS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Eagles heavily favored for title
In the first two years of the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, Notre Dame is 28-0 in conference play and has capped each of those seasons with a trip to the Division I girls basketball state semifinals.
Mix in the fact that sixth-year coach Travis Galloway’s Eagles just happen to return four starters and TRAC coaches didn’t have to spend a lot of time thinking which team to place first on the ballots of their preseason poll.
The Eagles were a unanimous pick in the to capture a third straight title. Whitmer was voted second, Lima Senior third, and Central Catholic fourth. READ MORE.