North Union's girls basketball team add CBC Mad River Division three-peat to its resume

RICHWOOD — The Wildcats produced an encore.

After winning 22 games, going undefeated in the Central Buckeye Conference's Mad River Division and making it to the Division II district championship game a year ago, North Union's girls basketball team reloaded for 2023-24.

"We went to summer camps the same. We still attacked things the same way," North Union coach Bre Jackson said. "I think they found confidence in themselves and a little bit of relief in a way."

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Reloading, not rebuilding

The Wildcats lost a lot from last year's squad. Besides the graduation of three seniors, including second-team All-CBC performer Taran Moran, the Price sisters' Abbey and Allison transferred to Marysville in the offseason after producing All-Ohio seasons.

So there were plenty of questions about this team, but they sorted out the answers early on, according to their coach.

"We went to Findlay camp and did really well after we went to an Ashland shootout and didn’t do so hot," Jackson said. "I think they figured out they can do this. They gained confidence in themselves and their teammates. They are very driven and hard-working kids, so it wasn’t a doubt in their mind that we weren’t going to continue to find success this season."

Audrey Benedict, a third or fourth option last year, emerged as their go-to player. Zoe Wedding and Kennedy Harrah saw increased roles in the backcourt, while Addison Wedding and Brenna Martino did the same in the frontcourt. Varsity newcomers Kailyn Colegrove, Gabby Lindsey and Catherine Hinkle blended nicely with the veterans.

"There was no hesitation with our kids," Jackson said. "They are always going to work hard and do their best and try to fight for each other. There was no real hesitation. They wanted to do the best that they could."

Champions again

Despite the remade roster, the results were similar.

North Union again went undefeated in the CBC Mad River Division at 10-0, running it's league winning streak to 31 in a row. The league title is their third in a row and fourth in five years. Since switching to the CBC from the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference in 2018-19, the Wildcats are 51-9 in conference games.

"After we beat Indian Lake the second time (this season), it really clicked with them that we’ve worked to this point and we’re now into the second round," Jackson said. "Playing on the road and figuring it out, they felt like they’ve got this."

The Wildcats are No. 2 among the CBC's 12 teams in scoring at 52 points per game, field goal percentage at 42.5% and free-throw percentage at 65.3%, while they are third in assists at 11.3 and steals at 12.0 per game.

Benedict puts up 14.9 points with 3.4 rebounds, two steals and 1.5 assists; Harrah backs her with 9.4 points, 2.4 steals, 2.3 assists and two rebounds; and Zoe Wedding adds 8.5 points, 2.3 assists, 2.2 steals and two rebounds. Lindsey chips in seven points, 3.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals, while Addison Wedding, Martino and Colegrove combine for 10.6 points and 14.2 rebounds inside. Zoe Wedding is one of the top perimeter shooters in the area, making 45 3-pointers at a 36% rate, while Benedict has dropped in 23 from the arc.

Tourney time

The Wildcats are 15-7 overall and were tabbed the No. 6 seed in the Division II Central District tournament draw. They will play the winner of No. 15 Highland and No. 3 Centennial at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the better seed's home. The winner then faces either No. 7 Eastmoor or No. 9 Heath at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at a site to be determined in a district semifinal.

Top-seeded Granville would likely be the district final opponent out of the top bracket that would then go to the Mansfield Senior regional.

"I was really happy with where we landed," Jackson said. "I’m not super stoked about taking byes. I’ve never been the coach to take a bye, especially with having two weeks off, but I really think we can get Centennial and that puts us in a really good position and a good shot at getting to that district final game."

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Girls Basketball Sectional Schedule

• Division I: No. 41 seed Marion Harding versus No. 42 Delaware Hayes or No. 4 Olentangy Liberty at better seed's home, Saturday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.

• Division II: No. 15 Highland at No. 3 Centennial Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Winner versus No. 6 North Union at better seed's home, Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

• Division II: No. 6 North Union versus No. 15 Highland or No. 3 Centennial at better seed's home, Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

• Division II: No. 13 Bexley at No. 8 River Valley, Saturday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.

• Division III: No. 21 Fairbanks at No. 4 Pleasant, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Winner hosts No. 22 Northmor, Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

• Division III: No. 15 Elgin at No. 6 Bishop Ready, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Winner versus No. 20 Columbus School for Girls or No. 9 Cardington at better seed's home, Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

• Division III: No. 20 Columbus School for Girls at No. 9 Cardington, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Winner versus No. 15 Elgin or No. 6 Bishop Ready at better seed's home, Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

• Division IV: No. 12 Patriot Prep at No. 8 Ridgedale, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Winner versus No. 5 Danville or No. 14 Liberty Center at better seed's home, Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

• Division IV: No. 6 Mount Gilead at No. 3 Madison Christian, Wednesday Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Winner versus No. 13 Granville Christian or No. 4 Wellington at better seed's home, Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Reloaded Wildcats ready to go in Division II girls basketball tourney