Mansfield Senior Tygers loaded for another run at an Ohio Cardinal Conference title
MANSFIELD ― The Tygers were historic in 2022-23.
And they expect to be again in 2023-24.
High School Girls Basketball: Mansfield Senior wins Richland County Girls Basketball Power Poll championship
After Mansfield Senior went 18-6 and won the first Ohio Cardinal Conference championship in program history and the first league title in 20 years, the Tygers bring back all but one player from that team for another run at a conference crown and maybe even a district championship.
The Tygers return six letter winners and four starters as first-year coach El Meeks, who has been on staff in both the boys and girls programs over the last five years, inherits a team with sky-high expectations and for good reasons.
"What makes us different from last year is our depth, and through our experiences, our girls believe they can win in many different ways," Meeks said.
The Tygers may have the most dynamic Starting 5 of any team in the OCC. Senior point guard Monetta Hilory was sensational last year averaging 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals earning second team All-OCC, honorable mention All-District 6 and honorable mention All-Northwest District.
Sophomore Kyeona Myers had a breakout year last season as a freshman scoring 10.7 points and grabbing 7.7 rebounds with two assists and 3.9 steals per game. She was first team All-OCC after leading the league in steals. She was also first team All-District 6 and holds the Mansfield Senior girls basketball program record for most points in a game as a freshman with 30.
Junior center Annaleise Norris also returns for the Tygers. She scored 5.4 points while pulling down 8.7 rebounds and adding 1.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game last season earning her honorable mention All-OCC honors. Meeks sees Norris as a potential All-Ohioan and a player who could take the Tygers to the next level.
"I think one of our X-Factors will be Annaleis Norris," Meeks said. "She can change a game by doing more than just scoring. Our experience as a unit will be a great asset because most of our girls are 3-4-year varsity players and have been in a lot of big games and atmospheres."
Senior All-Ohioan Kiersten Bradley will be the key returner for the Tygers. Bradley scored 12.5 points and added 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.7 steals on her way to special mention All-Ohio, first team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference, first team All-District 6 and first team All-Northwest District honors. She has been a staple in the program over the last three years and will look to lead the Tygers to back-to-back OCC championships.
A familiar face returns to the starting lineup for the Tygers as Juleah Windham returns after a year away when she played in Columbus last season. She was honorable mention All-OCC as a sophomore and returns for her senior year giving the Tygers solid experience in the lineup.
Tasaya Smith, Dazy Manns and Lamy'yah Lindsay will all bring depth to the lineup. Manns averaged 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals and an assist per game last year while Smith contributed with three points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.6 steals. Lindsay will be looking to make her first real impact at the varsity level.
"You should keep your eyes on Kyeona Meyers, who is coming off a great freshmen season for the ages," Meeks said. "First team all-conference and all-district as a freshman is hard to do in our league and area so we can’t wait to see the follow up season and beyond. Kiersten Bradley is a 4-year starter and first team all-conference and district player who’s on track to become a 1,000-point scorer. She is our leader. Tasaya Smith has so much potential she doesn’t even know it.
"Our biggest newcomer who will be a big contributor for us is Juleah Windham. She can play anywhere on the floor, which will make us more versatile, and she’s a leader."
The Tygers enter as the preseason favorite to win the OCC after sharing the title with West Holmes last season. But now, the TYs will play with a bullseye and get everyone's best each and every night. Meeks vows the team will be ready to defend the title.
"The league, as usual, will be tough," Meeks said. "There is no night off in our league and that’s what makes it special and fun. I see us competing for the conference championship, which will be tough to do with all the great teams and coaches in our league. West Holmes will be the favorite."
The Tygers tip off their season on Wednesday at Olentangy.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Senior Tygers loaded for another run at an Ohio Cardinal Conference title
