D4 District Finals takeaways
I spent the day in Troy for the Division 4 SW District Championship games, and the three games saw Cincinnati Country Day, Tri Village and Fort Loramie survived an incredible day of fast-paced action moving onto the regionals this coming…
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Continue ReadingI spent the day in Troy for the Division 4 SW District Championship games, and the three games saw Cincinnati Country Day, Tri Village and Fort Loramie survived an incredible day of fast-paced action moving onto the regionals this coming week in Springfield.
Cincinnati Country Day defeated Mechanicsburg 56-46, Tri Village survived in overtime 43-36 over Legacy Christian, and Fort Loramie remained unbeaten against an inspired and scrappy Franklin Monroe Jets team 40-26.
Here are a few things I took from this day in Troy:
CCD prospect to watch
I was impressed with the athleticism of junior guards Kamryn Jordan and Sabrina DelBello, who both were solid as advertised. The player who also impressed me and those sitting around me was 5-10 sophomore guard Sara Zimmerman, who battled through an injury suffered during the game to return and really show a lot of grit. Zimmerman was a very creative with the ball, she had a varsity of moves to the rim and with continues development on the court, will become a very solid prospect.
Another Schipfer on the rise
While Mechanicsburg senior Kasey Schipfer played her final high school game with the loss, another one is making progression and ready to step into the leadership role next season. Dani Schipfer is a 5-9 freshman who has developed into a very solid prospect with a solid season. Her confidence has risen and she is a strong rebounder, young and talented. She has played her role well as the rookie and she understands the game well. Will continue to improve this summer with Team Ohio, and will provide a quality addition to Grace Forrest, who will also return as a senior next season.
Taking over down the stretch
Tri Village had a battle on their hands against Legacy Christian in the middle game of the day. When the game was on the line, the senior rose to the challenge. Maddie Downing Maddie Downing 6'1" | C Tri-Village High School | 2020 OH , a 6-1 post who was held in check during the first half, had a very solid second half and down the stretch connected on a three-point play with 27 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime, where they escaped. Downing is a solid post with a great back to the basket game, and solid at the line. Strong rebounder. She is headed to Edison State College next season.
Special player
Corina Conley Corina Conley 6'0" | C Franklin Monroe High School | 2020 State OH is a player who can be called once-in-a-generation when it comes to her talent. She walked off the court for the last time after leaving it all on the court one final time. She was the best D4 player in the region, and the 6-footer is a player who will be missed by fans throughout the Cross County Conference. She can light up a defense from the perimeter, and leaves Franklin Monroe High School as arguably the best player in school history, definitely top three.
Deep in talent
Coach Carla Siegel rotates players in like a hockey line change. Fort Loramie is as deep of a team as there is in Ohio and they don’t drop off. While they are hoping to run the table this year, their future looks bright with the likes of Ava Sholtis Ava Sholtis 5'8" | CG Fort Loramie | 2022 State OH (soph), Caitlyn Gasson, Corynn Heitkamp, Dana Rose Dana Rose 6'0" | SF Fort Loramie | 2021 State OH , Jadyn Puthoff and Kenzie Hoelscher (all juniors) returning next season. All are college prosepcts at some level.