Sleepers to Watch – Belmont County
Belmont County is nine-schools strong and has a number of ideal situations for new faces to emerge or finally step into the limelight. Martins Ferry is coming off a solid season in which they captured the OVAC Class AAA championship.…
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Continue ReadingBelmont County is nine-schools strong and has a number of ideal situations for new faces to emerge or finally step into the limelight.
Martins Ferry is coming off a solid season in which they captured the OVAC Class AAA championship. But the Purple Riders lost their top-two scorers.
Further south, rival Bellaire will have to play without the do-all services of Division III Player of the Year Katrina Davis for the first time in a few years. Who will step up to the challenge for the Big Reds?
On the western end of the county, Union Local had a monster season, led by a balanced attack with two freshmen at the forefront. Might another player feature more prominently as defensive attention is turned elsewhere?
Lots of possibilities, lots of options. But here’s a few young ladies who should take advantage of their increased opportunities in 2020-21.
Maria Clark, 5-8, 2022, Martins Ferry
Clark averaged 9.2 points per game as a sophomore on a conference-championship team with two top-notch seniors. She still hit a team-leading 38 triples while shooting nearly 50 percent from behind the arc. As the team’s leading returning offensive threat, Clark’s offensive output should increase. Away from the ball, she’s a capable rebounder and defender, both in the half court and transition playing on the wing.
Casey Kildow, 5-6, 2021, Union Local
Kildow is the consummate floor leader on a loaded team packed with offensive firepower. Two of those weapons were freshman last season. They won’t sneak up on anyone this go-round. Kildow averaged 9.5 points and 6.2 assists as a junior, while shooting 44 percent from the floor and a team-best 83 percent at the line. A competent deep threat at 35 percent, Kildow is at home attacking the basket from either side and finishing strong or quickly dumping off when the defense collapses. Smart, effective defender, she averaged 2.5 steals per game while finishing with only 16 fouls. Doesn’t make dumb mistakes but uses quickness to consistently be in the right place.
Megan Malin, 5-5, 2023, St. Clairsville
Hard-nosed, multi-sport athlete, Malin should move to the forefront of St. Clairsville’s offense. Two of the top three scorers from a season ago graduated and the leading returner, Malin’s older sister Macy, suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason soccer and won’t be available. Megan is a capable shooter both from deep and mid-range and has worked to hone her game this summer with NCWV Swish. It will pay dividends come winter.
Halle Markovich, 5-11, 2023 Barnesville
Started from game one as a freshman and steadily improved as the year progressed. Averaged 7.3 and 6.1 rebounds and should develop into a consistent double-double player as a sophomore. Near 6-foot guard, can attack the basket or step back and shoot with equal effectiveness. Defends well, using size and quickness to her advantage in blocking shots and preventing attacking the basket.