Big School Girls Basketball Capsules: Sheridan, John Glenn enter with high expectations
Sheridan has controlled the Muskingum Valley League Big School Division by claiming outright or sharing the past seven league titles.
Can the Generals continue their dominance in the MVL?
Let's take a look at what Sheridan and the other Big School MVL squads have, as well checking in with Zanesville, which enters this season in the Licking County League with new head coach Shaun Spencer.
Sheridan
Coach: JD Walters, 9th Season
Last year's results: 22-3, MVL and Sectional titles, District Runner-up (Lost to Chillicothe Unioto, which was undefeated entering the district final)
Players graduated/lost: Macie Forgrave, Kaelyn Moss
Returning Letterwinners: Senior Jamisyn Stinson (1st Team All-Ohio and MVL, averaged 20.4 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists; Senior Nora Saffell (1st Team MVL, HM All-Ohio, 12.1 points, 5 rebounds); Junior Ava Heller (8 points, 5 rebounds); Junior Halle Warner (SE District Special Mention, 6 points, 4.5 assists); Junior Payton Powell (6 points, 5 rebounds); Junior Addi Shaeffer; Sophomore Mylie Forgrave.
Key Newcomers: N/A
Quote: We have a very challenging schedule this year, playing teams like Bishop Watterson, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Fort Loramie and Fairfield Union on top of the MVL games. We need to stay focused and have players rise up in big games.
John Glenn
Coach: Gary Sigman, 4th year
Last year's results: 19-9, Sectional and District titles, Regional appearance
Players graduated/lost: McKinzi Linscott, Kylah Morgan, Grace Lawrence, Marissa Saki
Returning Letterwinners: Junior point guard Mya Oliver (3rd Team All-Ohio, 1st Team MVL, East District, District 12, 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.0 steals); Junior guard Riley Zamensky (Special Mention MVL, District 12, 10.6 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.0 steals); Junior guard/forward Jessica Church (Special Mention MVL, Honorable Mention District 12); Senior forward Emma Dolan; Senior forward Aleea Musselman; Senior center Madeline Winland; Senior center Chelsea Sotherden.
Key Newcomers: Junior guard/forward Alaina Berry (Rosecrans transfer)
Quote: N/A
Tri-Valley
Coach: Kurt Kaufman, 9th year (23 years overall, 19 as head coach)
Last year's results: 19-6, Division I District Runner-up
Players graduated/lost: Lexi Howe, 1st Team All-Ohio
Returning Letterwinners: Senior guard PD Moore (2nd Team District 12, Honorable Mention East District and MVL, 6.3 points); Senior guard Karlee Rose (Honorable Mention, 4.8 points); Senior forward Kylan Brock (3.5 points), Junior Guard Mackenzie Harvey (First Team East District, MVL, District 12, Honorable Mention All-Ohio, 10.1 points); Junior post Jacie Rollison (2nd Team District 12, Honorable Mention East District, 9.3 points); Junior guard Addison Wilson (3 points); Sophomore guard Maddie Garber (5.5 points).
Key Newcomers: Sophomore forward Annika Collet, Ella Knowlton, Gwyn Dal Ponte, Clara Goss
Quote: We have experience, but we need players to step up with the graduation of Lexi, who was such a talented player and great teammate and we appreciated all she gave to the program. Now, it's time for others to step up and leave their mark. We're working hard to be the best team we can be...combining the strengths of each player.
Philo
Coach: Dan Hilty, 11th season; Mike Boysel, 11th year as an assistant; Maggie Wright and Katie Fuller are new coaches
Last year's results: 13-11
Players graduated/lost: Olivia Dement (10.4 points, 52 3s)
Returning letterwinners: Senior center Caitlin Rose (6.8 points, 5.3 rebounds); Senior guard Bailey Dement (8.5 points); Senior guard Olivia Winland (5.4 points, 4.3 rebounds); Junior guard Aleigha Busse (5.2 points); Junior forward Bri Wolfe; Senior guard Marley Harper; Senior forward Jenna Lytton; Sophomore guard Halli Harris
Key Newcomers: Freshmen guards Hannah Foster and Emily Stockdale
Quote: We have a great mixture of experience and youth. The team has been working hard to improve both mental and physical side of the game. We have had a solid preseason and are looking forward to see what the season brings.
Zanesville
Coach: Shaun Spencer, First year
Last season: 10-14 overall, 8-6 Licking County League
Players graduated/lost: Kandrea Sowers transferred out (23 GP, 300 points [1st on team], 13.0 PPG [2nd], 5.3 RPG [1st]).
Returning letterwinners: Senior Jada Seyfried (7.8 points); Senior Rylee McCuen (4.2 points); Senior Kylie Osborne (2.8 points, 4.7 rebounds), Senior Jersey Draughn (14.4 points, season-ending knee injury in Game 19 at Lakewood, expected to return during second half of this season); Junior Kamy Morgan (3.3 rebounds); Sophomore Rayne Newman (3.7 rebounds, coming off surgery for torn Achilles in the spring).
Key newcomers: 6-0 Senior Reagan Bailey (returning after a two-year hiatus); 5-5 Sophomore Ta'myah Taylor.
Quote: This year, we are changing the culture within our program. Some of our main focal points are eliminating negative influences, creating our own destiny, and putting the needs of others above our own. The girls have been responding well, so if they continue to buy into our 15 principles for success, we'll start to see positive results over the coming months and years.
Maysville
Coach: Bill Crane, 3rd year
Last season’s results: 4-18
Players graduated/lost: None
Returning letterwinners: Senior guard Emily Lawson (Special Mention MVL); Senior forward Ashtyn Merlo; Senior guard Jerzei Blackketter; Sophomore forward Bella VanWey; Sophomore guard Miley Fulkerson.
Key newcomers: Freshmen guards Avery Daniels and Liv Shipley, Sophomore guard/forward Chesney Carter, Sophomore guard Rachael Gundelfinger and Junior guard Bekah Scott.
Quote: The girls have worked hard in the off-season. There is competition for spots this season and that has made an enormous difference. The girls have hit the weight room hard and have put more time into improving their IQ and individual skill sets. We are looking forward to seeing the program take another step this season. It is a process when you are rebuilding a program and we are really starting to see the entire program moving forward towards our goals.
River View
Coach: Renina Brenly, 1st year
Last year's results: 5-17
Players graduated/lost: Prestyn Patterson, Lily Yoder, Payton Cabe, Bri Hagans
Returning letterwinners: Senior forward Bridgette Bible, Junior guard Annie Killiany, Sophomore forward Elaina Brenly
Newcomers: N/A
Quote: We are focusing on good attitudes and work ethic. We all have individual goals and growth to work on. When we focus on that, we will then become a better team all around.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Here's a look of what to expect from the MVL Big Schools and Zanesville in girls basketball
