Southern Ohio Conference 1 (SOC I)

Southern Ohio Conference 1 (SOC1) is the small school division of the SOC. And the last 6 years it has been won by Portsmouth Norte Dame, and even with the loss of 6’4” Senior <strong>Katie Dettwiller</strong> (who is now at St Francis University) and 5’9”,<strong> Clara Hash</strong> they will be formidable once again. However, they could be challenged by a few schools like Ironton St Joe, Green in the SOC I this year. 5 Players to Watch. 2021 <strong>Ava Hassel</strong> and 2020 <strong>Taylor Schmidt</strong> Portsmouth ND, 2022<strong> Kasey Kimbler</strong> Green, 2020 <strong>Lexus Oiler</strong> New Boston, 2022 <strong>Bella Whaley</strong>, Ironton St Joe Portsmouth Norte Dame (24-2/14-0) Sect Champs/District Champions Head Coach <strong>JD McKenzie</strong> Players to Watch: T<strong>aylor Schmidt</strong>,<strong> Claire Dettwiller</strong>, <strong>Lauren Campbell</strong>, <strong>Cassie Schaefer</strong>, <strong>Isabel Cassidy</strong> and <strong>Ava Hassel.</strong> Portsmouth Notre Dame is once again the favorite to win the SOC I, and they return some integral parts of the last year’s team, Coach McKenzie feels that they “are a very experienced group returning this year.” He states that they “have a very good group of underclassmen joining us this year.” With 20 players in the High School Program this year, they are looking to continue to advance their tournament run again this year. The Lady Titans could be even more faster and up tempo this season, believe that both Schmidt and Hassel will really showcase even more offensive ability than in previous seasons, the duo will definitely be tough defensively 94 feet. Cassidy is a scorer who gets shots she wants and will add to their offensive firepower. Portsmouth Clay (15-9/11-3) Head Coach <strong>Scott Artis</strong> Players to Watch:<strong> Jaylen Warnock</strong> Lady Panthers will be inexperienced this year, losing 4 of the top 5 players last year’s 15 win team to graduation. They will be looking for contributions from 2021 <strong>Shaley Munion</strong>, 2023 6’ Morgan McCoy and other players in this 2019-20 season. Symmes Valley (12-11/7-7) Head Coach <strong>Shannon Pierce</strong> Player to Watch: 2020 <strong>Rachel Hayes</strong> With a new Head Coach, Symmes Valley will be looking to see where they can improve from last season and adapt to the new coache’s style. Western Latham (13-11/6-4) Head Coach <strong>Mike Jordan</strong> Players to Watch: 2020 <strong>Taylor Horner</strong>, 2021 <strong>Brooklyn Tackett</strong> and 2022 <strong>Chole Beekman</strong> The Lady Indians lost a lot to graduation last year and Coach Pierce talks about that saying “We are very young and inexperienced this year. We only have a couple of upper classmen. We will depend on freshmen and sophomores for valuable minutes” to try to build on last year’s season. Green (10-14) Head Coach <strong>Melissa Knapp</strong> Players to Watch: 2022 <strong>Kasey Kimbler</strong>, 2021<strong> Kame Sweeney</strong> The Lady Bobcats only lost 1 senior from 2018-19, and per Coach Knapp “returning 4 starters, (they) look to be much improved coming off last season’s 10-14 record.” She will be looking for contributions from several juniors and several other underclassmen. Kasey Kimbler set 3 school records last year as a freshmen, she can shoot the ball extremely well, with some of the others stepping up this year Green could be right there in the Top 2-3 teams. Ironton St Joe (12-12, 1st year in the SOC I) Head Coach <strong>Bart Burcham</strong> Players to watch: 2020 <strong>Faith Mahlmeister</strong> and <strong>Kaitlyn Sheridan</strong> 2021 <strong>Emma Whaley</strong> and 2022 <strong>Bella Whaley</strong> Coach Burhcam is looking to continue to continue to progress from last year’s season, saying “We finished 12-12 last year. Started 3-6 but kept getting better each week and won a tournament game.” Returning all 5 starter from 2018-19 season he will also be looking for contributions from his bench and underclassmen to continue that progression and be in the mix for the SOC I The Lady Flyers first year in the league could really change how team fair in the standings, improved as the season went along and feel that can also be one of the top 3 teams in the league. Glenwood(7-17/5-9) Head Coach <strong>Kayla Wiley</strong> Players to watch: 2020 <strong>Lexus and Sammy Oiler</strong>,<strong> Kenzie Whitley</strong>, <strong>Shelby Easter</strong> The Lady Tigers always play hard each game, which makes them a tough match up each night, Coach Wiley thinks that leadership and experience will be a big part of their success, stating that her “starting 5 from last year at different times in the season really stepped up and played well. I believe this year just from the few open gyms our upperclassman have stepped up and are trying to be leaders” she also feels that some other players will be stepping up to help the Lady Tigers have a deeper bench this year. Sciotoville (1-23/0-11) Head Coach; <strong>Matt Miller</strong> Player to Watch: 2021<strong> Grace Smith</strong> 2022 <strong>Kacie Conley</strong>, 2020 <strong>Ali Escamilla and Shayla Rosenogle</strong> Lady Tartans start the 2019-20 season with a new Coach Matt Miller and he told me his thoughts his team “We are young and have a long to go, but he is excited for the season”.