Dayton D2: Early Teams to Watch 2019-20

Like their D1 counterparts, plenty of area schools put together a good month of June at various locations; summer leagues, shootouts and camps. After talking to with some people this summer, it looks like the Division 2 basketball scene around the Dayton area will be strong again. Here are 5 teams that I expect to have a good season in 2019-20. Note that Monroe, Franklin and Bellbrook are no longer in Division 2 as they moved up to D1, thus their absence from this list. <strong>Carroll- </strong>they lost their all-Ohio point guard but returns a lot of firepower. [player_tooltip player_id="32533" first="Julia" last="Keller"] is a year older and better, [player_tooltip player_id="89290" first="Allie" last="Stefanek"] continues to grow her game and look for big years from both Megan Leraas and Ava Lickliter. They are the favorites to get through the regionals again this year. Sara Ochs will be improved and ready to contribute more this year. <strong>Jonathan Alder- </strong>they will be the favorites in the CBC Kenton Trail Division along with Tecumseh to battle for the title. Alder may have the edge returning both [player_tooltip player_id="89269" first="Abby" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="89258" first="Sydney" last="Borquin"].  Both are next-level college prospects and could well be the two best players in the league. Sydnie Bushong will also be a factor, so the question becomes who else steps up. <strong>Tippecanoe- </strong>the Red Devils return their top two players in senior Kendal Clodfelter and junior [player_tooltip player_id="91110" first="Ashleigh" last="Mader"].  Clodfelter has seen her game grow over the summer and looks to join the likes of Katie Salyer and Olivia Newbourn as senior leaders. Mader had a great sophomore year while two other juniors should secure the post and wing spots, as Katie Hemmelgarn is a 6-2 post and Rachel Wildermuth is a versatile 6-foot forward. <strong>Trotwood Madison- </strong>after cleaning up from a devastating tornado that ripped through the town on Memorial Day, the kids will return to school in August with renewed hope. Athletics will be a big key, and the girls basketball team should be solid again. Senior Goddess McIntrye look to lead in the post, while [player_tooltip player_id="159035" first="Quantaijah" last="Huffman"] returns as their best overall player at the guard spot. Super quick and electric. Sparkle Leigh is also a returning junior, and you need to watch their phenomenal freshman Raeven Ray Redmon. <strong>Valley View- </strong>the Spartans are back after a great season. Gone is Chloe Smith who is now at Urbana U, but they bring everyone else back. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="32528" first="Aubrey" last="Stupp"]<strong><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></strong>who recently committed to Purdue Fort Wayne will be their main senior back, while juniors Abigail Dickson and Lauren Legate continue to improve. I really like the sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="32608" first="Claire" last="Henson"] who has a high ceiling and a lot of talent. <strong>Sleepers- </strong>it’s a tie between a couple of GCL teams who I think could surprise people this year. Chaminade Julienne returns a lot of experience but struggled last year to stay consistent. I look for things to be better this year with CJ as they return seniors Staci Greene, Jordyn Varise, Eve Monaghan and Courtney Redd as key seniors who make up a good core of talent for the Eagles. Alter lost some very key seniors, but I like the younger players that should produce for them. Caraline Kernan, Karlie Romer and Emma Hansley are all sophomores, with junior Sara Reis looking to make herself known, and newcomer Haylee Gunter.