Small School Girls Basketball Capsules: Can New Lex make it 4 straight division titles?
New Lexington has reigned in the Muskingum Valley League Small School Division for the past three years.
The Panthers enter the season with a new coach and the graduation of two all-district performers, while West Muskingum and Meadowbrook are among the teams aiming to take over that top spot.
Rosecrans also has a new coach on the bench, as the Bishops face an uphill climb in a deep Mid-State League Cardinal Division.
Here's a look at what the area's small schools bring to the court this winter.
New Lexington
Coach: Marc Smith, 1st year (19th season as a head coach), JV Coach Sydney Wycinski, Assistant Don Epifano
Last year's results: 18-6, Small School Champions
Players graduated/lost: Aubri Spicer, Kim Kellogg
Returning letter winners: Senior Abby Wilson, Senior Trinity Cook, Sophomore Chloe Dick, Sophomore Makenzy McCoy, Sophomore Gracie Newlon
Key Newcomers: N/A
Quote: We are very excited to get this season underway. We have some experience on this team that has demonstrated some efficiency at the offensive end of the floor. There is competition to earn playing time, which is a positive. Our players understand that everything is earned their work ethic and have embraced the challenge of playing with extraordinary effort on a nightly basis. As with any successful team, we must learn to play together and accept our individual roles. We must improve on the defensive end of the floor and stay competitive on the boards while playing to the talents of our returning players and newcomers. We hope to improve as the year progresses so we are playing our best basketball as the tournament approaches.
West Muskingum
Coach: Josh Middleton, 2nd year (2 years as assistant before taking over the program
Last year's results: 18-7, sectional title Small School runner-up
Players graduated/lost: Caitlyn Drake, Gracie Settles, Zoie Settles
Returning letterwinners: Senior post Taylor Spung (3-year letter winner, 7 points per game, 5 rebounds); Senior guard Laney Johnson (3-year letter winner, 7 points); Sophomore guard Jayden Thornton (8 points, 1 letter); Sophomore guard Debra Allen (6 points, 1 letter); Junior Addy Antonetz (3 points, 1 letter); Junior forward Hannah Roberts (battling a knee injury, possible return)
Key newcomers: Senior guard Gianna Ewert, Senior post Jaslynn Bonnell, Junior post Halle Peck, Junior guard Lydiah Huey, Sophomore guard Teriauna Brandford, Freshman guard Lyla Johnson
Quote: I'm really excited to get to work and start the season with this group. They love to be around each other and compete every day. I thought last season we really started to figure things out the second half of the year and hope to see that pattern continue right from the start of this season. We are going to be tested with games against Fort Frye and Strasburg to start the season, and I can't wait to see where we are at.
Meadowbrook
Coach: Chris Miles, 3rd year
Last season’s results: 15-9, Lost in overtime to West M in the sectional finals
Players graduated/losses: PG Maddie May (plays at Mt. Union), SG Jostalyn Hunt and C Kaylynn Gombeda
Returning letterwinners: Senior Kenli Norman (2-time 1st Team MVL and 2nd Team All Ohio as a junior, averaged 14 points); Senior Karly Launder (1st Team MVL, Special Mention All Ohio, 10 points, 9 rebounds); Senior Taylor Sichina (3.6 steals); Senior Braelyn Thompson (3-point specialist); Junior Emma Webster (missed 20 games last season with a separated shoulder); Junior Layken Lasko (missed 12 games last year with ankle injury), Junior Marabelle Thornberry (replaces Maddie May at point); Sophomore Grace Kackley
Key newcomers: N/A
Quotes: We return the big 3 of Norman, Launder and Sichina. We should continue to be solid on the defensive end and return most of our scoring. Emma Webster, Layken Lasko and Marabelle Thornberry are all ready to take on a larger role with our offense. We have our eyes set on a MVL Small School title and a potential tourney run. We have set ourselves up with a much more difficult schedule by playing Carrolton, Fort Frye and Dover along with our already difficult conference schedule.
Crooksville
Coach: Matt Jones, 4th year
Last year's results: 2-21
Players graduated/lost: Kenzie Printz, Madylin Taylor
Returning letterwinners: Senior guard Sonni Nelson; Junior guard Brynn Lundell (2nd Team District 12, Special Mention MVL, 6.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assist); Junior guard Rylee Chamberlin; Sophomore guard Alexia Van Meter (2nd Team District 12, Special Mention MVL, Southeast District Special Mention, 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2 steals); Sophomore forward Meg Mumford.
Key newcomers: Sophomores Mylee Davis and Paige Frame, Freshman Emma Taylor
Quote: We have a young team that is eager to compete. This team put the work in this offseason and has made big strides. I'm excited to watch this team continue to improve.
Morgan
Coach: Sam Elseser, 3rd year
Last year's results: 11-12
Players graduated/lost: Odessa Smith, Baylee Harmon, Makayla Kidd, Marissa Viney
Returning letterwinners: Senior center Aleah Bogue; Junior guard/post Ellie Parsons; Junior guard Paige Lanning; Sophomore guard Gia Myers (All District); Sophomore point guard Chloe Baker; Sophomore post Myleigh Williams.
Key newcomers: Junior guard Grayson Welsh; Sophomores, guard Myka Augenstein, guard Maya Davis and post Maddy Johnson; Freshman guard Allia Rush.
Quote: We have 1 senior to lead the team this year. We look young on paper but have some experience. The MVL will bring some solid competition all year long.
Coshocton
Coach: Paul Bowman, 38 years of coaching, 13 at varsity
Last year's results: 2-21, was competitive in 12-13 games
Players graduated/lost: Savannah Bartlett (Honorable Mention All-Ohio), Hailey Helter (Leading rebounder), Myrakle Johnson (2-year letter winner), Julia Cutrina (team's steals leader, great defender).
Returning letterwinners: Senior guard Isabelle Lauvray (1st team MVL, 1st Team District 5, 13 points, 5 assists per game, 3-year letter winner); Senior post Anna Jansen (5 rebounds per game, 1 year letter winner), Senior wing Aerianna Braxton (1 year letter winner).
Key newcomers: Senior guard Taylor Brown, Junior guard Haylie Gates, Junior post Nela Wiredu, Freshman wing Lilly Braxton.
Quote: We will have to lean on Isabelle Lauvray a lot for scoring. We only have 11 total players in grades 9-12. We have a lot of girls with no varsity experience so could be an up and down offensive season.
Rosecrans
Coach: Abbe Mumford, 1st year
Last year's results: 14-9
Players graduated/lost: Jenna McLaughlin, Ella Lambert, Chloe Zemba, Alaina Berry
Returning letterwinners: Senior Maddie Burnett, Junior Emily Jenkins
Key newcomers: Sophomore Mallorie Crooks, Freshmen Abby Sagan, Danielle Joseph, Ellie Worden
Quote: N/A
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: A look at what the area's Small School girls basketball teams bring to the court.
