2019-20 League Preview: MVL Miami Division

The "new" league in the Dayton area consists of familiar foes, as the Miami Valley League returns to the area this season, bringing together teams who all come over from the GWOC last season. Everyone knows each other very well, and these five teams all have players who can compete for a league title. Going into the season, Tippecanoe would be the favorites, but the other four rivals will look to dethrone the defending GWOC North champion Red Devils. <strong>Butler</strong> It should be an interesting season for the Aviators, as they lost their two top players to graduation. Returning are seniors Gracie Price anc Jacie Dalton, who will both have to increase their production this season. Junior Blair Kindrick moved in from Northmont but is battling a knee injury that she is recovering from. Sophomore Evan Neely is a 5-foot-10 who showed a glimpse of greatness at times as a freshman. Watch for freshman Samantha Bordonaro who will be one of the area's top freshman. <strong>Greenville</strong> Their offense begins around senior Haleigh Behnken, who has worked herself into one of the top seniors in the Dayton area. Morgan Gilbert is another senior who battled injuries last season but played well upon her return. Senior Natea Davidson also will be counted on to contribute. <strong>Piqua</strong> They came off of an outstanding season that saw the Indians win 14 games, the most they have enjoyed in a few years. Tylah Yeomans returns as a senior, along with several underclassmen who shined at the varsity level last season including sophomores Aubree Schrubb and Kenzi Anderson. While sophomore Chloe Stewart will miss the season due to injury, junior Karley Johns contributed last season as well and returns. <strong>Tippecanoe</strong> They are 30-0 in GWOC North games and three consecutive league titles when these teams were all together in the GWOC, and they are the favorites again. Senior Kendall Clodfelter had a great summer including an offer from Urbana University, and leads the way as a senior, but the junior class consists of Ashleigh Mader, Katie Hemmelgarn and Rachel Wildermuth. <strong>Troy</strong> The Trojans finished as runner-up last season, and is gearing up to compete for a title. Senior Tia Bass is a strong post presence for the Trojans, while fellow senior Makenna Taylor had a very good summer and impressed me in their summer league. The electric super soph Macie Taylor <strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(pictured above)</span></strong> is the reigning league Player of the Year when she was a freshman last season and for good reason. She is special. <strong>5 Players to Watch</strong> Evan Neely- Butler Haleigh Behnken- Greenville Tylah Yeomans- Piqua Kendall Clodfelter- Tippecanoe Macie Taylor- Troy <strong>MVL Miami Division Notes</strong> <ul> <li>Haleigh Behnken has verbally committed to Edison State to play her college basketball. The Chargers have won 25+ games each of the last two years.</li> <li>Tippecanoe has made six consecutive trips to the district championship game at Mason Middle School arena. The Red Devils have also advanced to the regional finals four times, falling short of state each time.</li> <li>Piqua won 57 total games from 2006-2017 before putting together a 14-win season in 2018. The most games they won in a single season since 2006 was seven.</li> </ul>