Dayton D3- Early Teams to Watch 2019-20

This area was represented well at the state tournament last season when Waynesville took an unbeaten record into the state championship game before falling just short of Africentric for the title. They lost a lot of great players, but the Division 3 teams in the area all hope to make a strong push to send an area team back to Columbus, and a chance at a state title. Here are 5 teams who completed the summer with momentum heading into the start of the new season in November. <strong>Anna- </strong>Lauren Barhorst is a solid 6-foot senior who showed a lot of improvement over the summer, and she expects to lead the way for the Rockets in the Shelby County League. Junior Ella Doseck showed more consistent scoring this summer as she continued to be a solid guard, while Kip Rowland was another player who looks to increase her contributions this season. They had a good day at the Tri Village Shootout. <strong>Arcanum- </strong>this team will open a lot of eyes this year, and they have the tools to contend for a sectional title, and maybe more. I liked the improvement I saw from their main players with Kayla O'Daniel heading into her senior year showing leadership and solid play. I saw two of the three key sophomores play this summer, as Madelyn Fearon and Haley Unger definitely improved their games. Both players showed great consistency beyond the arc. <strong>Versailles- </strong>shock waves rippled through the state of Ohio when longtime head coach Jacki Stonebraker stepped down last week to accept the principal's position at the high school. That leaves a team loaded with talent and a new head coach ready to pursue a trip to Columbus. Lindsey Winner, Caitlin McEldowney, Danielle Kunk and Brooke Stonebraker. They played well at the Fort Loramie Summer League, and hopes to transition that over to another typical championship-type season this winter. <strong>Waynesville- </strong>after a trip to the state finals, the Spartans lost a lot to graduation. They should still be ready to make another run with some experienced players back. Leah Butterbaugh <strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(pictured above) </span></strong>is a junior who stepped up bigtime late in the tournament last year, and will be a player to watch this season. Senior Kenzie Purkey is another player who gets her chance to step into the spotlight this season, and her experience and leadership will be counted on. <strong>West Liberty Salem- </strong>they were overlooked heading into last season, and all they did was go 22-4. Coach Dennis McIntosh always has this group ready to compete, and this year will be no different. Emily Hollar returns as a key sophomore this year to lead the way, along with junior Selena Weaver. Both players will have to raise their game with the loss of key graduates Kelsey Day and Gabby Hollar. <strong>Sleepers- </strong>one team that has the potential to make a little noise this year is Indian Lake. They return senior Bethany Golliday who was not with the team when I saw them at Indian Lake, but she will be a key leader. The one who impressed me with freshman Allison Kinney. Sometimes plays like a freshman but most of the time looks polished on the court with good court savvy. Other teams that could open some eyes are Miami East, who still has some talent back with the loss of Morgan Haney, Bethel and Greeneview.