Geauga County Hoopers

<p style="text-align: center">Throughout this off-season, the Prep Girls Hoops staff will be taking a close look at some of the top underclassmen across all of Ohio’s 88 counties.</p> <p style="text-align: center">Forbes Magazine has named Geauga County as one of the best places in America to raise a family. Geauga County is named for the Onondaga word meaning raccoon. About 20% of Geauga County's population is Amish - one of the largest Amish populations in the region. Geauga County is also home to a number of successful girls basketball programs - featuring some outstanding players.</p> <p style="text-align: center">Let’s take a look at a number of talented underclassmen from Geauga County.</p> <strong>Lexi Boyk - 5'6 Guard - Berkshire - Class of 2020</strong> Boyk is better known for her exploits on the soccer field, where she is a big-time prospect and the track, where she has had major success in multiple events, but she is also a very good point guard on the hardwood. Lexi has a good court presence and does a nice job of getting her team into the correct offensive sets. She has tremendous quick and is a good 3-point shooter when her feet are set. [caption id="attachment_52503" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chardon fans cannot wait to see Halle Landies back on the court for her senior season. (Photo Credit: Ohio Varsity)[/caption] <strong>Halle Landies - 5'8 Guard - Chardon - Class of 2020 </strong> Landies is recovering from an ACL injury, but area followers haven't forgotten about her. She is a dynamic scorer from all 3 levels of the offensive end. She has a nice euro-step and finishes around the rim well (mostly with her right hand). She is comfortable in the mid-range game with a nice pull-up jumper. She also hits a high percentage of her attempts from deep - using a balance of catch-and-shoot and step-back opportunities. <strong>Catara DeJarnette - 5'5 Guard - Kenston - Class of 2022</strong> The only player on our list from the Class of 2022, DeJarnette burst onto the scene during her freshmen year, which was certainly one to remember. She is a tremendous shooter with good range from 3. She is also athletic enough to get to the rim and strong enough to finish through contact.  Catara has great court vision and the potential to be a lockdown defender on the ball. <strong>Emma Liberatore - 5'8 Wing - Notre Dame Cathedral Latin - Class of 2020 </strong> Emma has been a double-double machine from her "3" spot for Catedral Latin. She is tough as nails on the boards and scores a number of her points after getting offensive rebounds. She runs the floor well and does a good job of flashing to open spots at appropriate times and using open space wisely off of the ball. Liberatore is in the "slasher" mode - she is much more comfortable finishing in the paint than she is connecting from the perimeter. [caption id="attachment_52504" align="alignright" width="300"] Nikki Ehrbar has had two highly productive seasons at West Geauga. (Photo Credit: Chagrin Valley Today)[/caption] <strong>Nikki Ehrbar - 5'8 Guard - West Geauga - Class of 2021</strong> A high-energy kid, Ehrbar is a tough defender on the ball and off of the ball, who causes havoc and creates a number of deflections and steals that lead to easy points. She battles on the glass and serves as a decent playmaker - putting her teammates in some great situations to score. Nikki is one of the top 2021's in the area. <strong>Athena Hocevar - 6'0 Guard - West Geauga - Class of 2021</strong> One of the top prospects in the area, Hocevar has tremendous length and athleticism. After transferring from Gilmour Academy, she miss a majority of her sophomore campaign, but not after showing the elite potential that we know her for. Athena is tough in transition, she is a good 3-point shooter, solid defender and above-average rebounder. &nbsp;