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Classic in the Country: Breaking down Greater Akron girls basketball games this weekend

brad bournival, akron beacon journal
·2 min read
Hoban's Niera Stevens, left, leads the eighth-ranked Knights into the 21st annual Classic in the Country Challenge.
Hoban's Niera Stevens, left, leads the eighth-ranked Knights into the 21st annual Classic in the Country Challenge.

The premier girls high school basketball showcase takes over Greater Akron/Canton this weekend just off state Route 30.

The 21st annual Classic in the Country Challenge will take place Saturday through Monday with 23 games being played in Perry Reese Community Center at Berlin Hiland High School.

The feature out of state team this year is Belleville, Mich., which will play perennial Division I power Mason on Monday.

From a Greater Akron perspective, Wadsworth and Hoban will play Saturday.

Here’s what to look for with a full schedule of events:

21st annual Classic in the Country Challenge

Brooke Baughman is a sharp shooter from the 3-point line for Wadsworth once again this season.
Brooke Baughman is a sharp shooter from the 3-point line for Wadsworth once again this season.

Where: Berlin Highland High School

When: Saturday through Monday

Matchups: Saturday – Tusky Valley vs Western Brown, 9 a.m.; Waynedale vs Waterford, 10:30 a.m.; Fort Loramie vs Sheridan, noon; Toledo Notre Dame vs Wadsworth, 1:30 p.m.; Hoban vs Teays Valley, 3 p.m.; Toledo Central Catholic vs Lakota West, 4:30 p.m.; West Holmes vs. Margaretta, 6 p.m.; Hiland vs. Toledo Start, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday – Smithville vs Ottawa Glandorf, noon; Kettering Alter vs Solon, 1:20 p.m.; Magnificat vs Cincinnati Princeton, 2:40 p.m.; Lakota West vs Toledo Notre Dame, 4 p.m.; Mason vs Portsmouth, 5:20 p.m.; Anthony Wayne vs Laurel, 6:40 p.m.; Midview vs Kettering Fairmont, 8 p.m.

Monday – Fairland vs Gilmour Academy, 9 a.m.; Olentangy vs Unioto, 10:30 a.m.; Belleville, Mich. vs Mason, noon; Magnificat vs Anthony Wayne, 1:30 p.m.; Portsmouth vs Laurel, 3 p.m.; Kettering Fairmont vs Reynoldsburg, 4:30 p.m.; Strasburg vs West Holmes, 6 p.m.; Hiland vs Olmsted Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Breaking down the Greater Akron matchups: Wadsworth (11-3) is led by center Lyla Wilson (10.9 points per game) and small forward Brooke Baughman (9.6). Baughman has 21 3-pointers heading into Saturday. Notre Dame (4-6) is led by shooting guard Nina Sims (8.8) and has a solid forward in Amira Dupree (5.8 points, 5.6 rebounds).

Hoban (10-2) is led by sophomore guard Niera Stevens (10.8) and senior guard Mackenzie Edinburgh (10.1). Teays Valley (7-5) is led by All-Ohio center and East Tennessee State recruit Kennedy Younkin. The All-Ohio senior averaged a double-double (12.0 points, 12.5 rebounds) and is doing it again this season for the Vikings.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: High school girls basketball: Details for Classic in the Country