Butler, Minster and Dunbar tri-scrimmage
As we are only one week away from the start of the girls basketball season, teams from around Ohio are trying to fine-tune their teams with some quality scrimmages. I had the chance to attend a good one in Vandalia…
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Continue ReadingAs we are only one week away from the start of the girls basketball season, teams from around Ohio are trying to fine-tune their teams with some quality scrimmages.
I had the chance to attend a good one in Vandalia last evening as the host Aviators battled the Dayton City League’s Dunbar Wolverines, along with the back-to-back Division 4 state champion Minster Wildcats. It will be the first of two times I will get to see Minster this week, as I plan to also attend their big home scrimmage on Saturday against Valley View and Mercy McAuley.
Some takeaways I had from the scrimmage:
Focused: Anytime a team comes off a championship, or in this case two, the expectations are there for another great season. With Minster, they are going for a three-peat, but like any coach will tell you in November, they have some work to do. Nothing new to report on their guard tandem of Ivy Wolf and Janae Hoying, the state’s top D4 guard tandem. Both have D1 offers and will be the leaders this season. Oh… and they know how to win.
Hidden gems: Perimeter shooter Averi Wolf will be counted on for some outside scoring this season for Minster, and showed good things last night. Defensively, Mara Schmiesing should be a factor, and I like the progression of sophomore Ella Mescher who I saw over the summer. Just needs to get stronger and more experienced.
Only a freshman: Butler lost a lot of strong players, but after watching their incoming guard Sami Bardonaro (pictured above), who is very skilled for a freshman. Poised and ready for this level of play, she did a great job creating her own offense, getting to the rim and is a threat from the perimeter.
Almost ready to go: After suffering the ever-familiar ACL injury, junior Blair Kindrick, who moved into the district from Northmont, is nearly ready to do…she hopes. Barring any setbacks, she is close to a return. She is waiting for the green light and once she gets back and in “game shape”, she should help this offense.
Ready for a title?: Coach Antoine Sain has his Dunbar squad ready to make a run toward the City League title. Very athletic group, can run the floor and not afraid to mix it up underneath. Chardonnay Jones shot the ball well from the 3 and played solid defense. Her play on the floor will have a lot to determine who successful this team is.
Key Wolverines: In addition to the play of Jones, two other players played well for Dunbar. Samaria Brown scored in a variety of ways; off the dribble, pull up and from the three. She seems to be embracing the role of running the point which makes this team more versatile. Also Rickera McCluskey did a good job defending key players last night, and set the tone for the Wolverines defensively.