Sleepers to Watch – Monroe County
Monroe County teams had a successful season in 2019-20. Two captured sectional co-championships and advanced to the district tournament. One was a step away from the regional. The third had a down year, but showed promise with some young talent…
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Continue ReadingMonroe County teams had a successful season in 2019-20. Two captured sectional co-championships and advanced to the district tournament. One was a step away from the regional.
The third had a down year, but showed promise with some young talent and even more on the way this season.
A big challenge will be how does Beallsville manage to replace two multi-year starters in Ashlie Louden and Ashley Howell. The tandem led the Blue Devils to multiple OVAC Class A championships and a sectional crown last season before falling to Fort Frye in the district semifinal round.
Nearby, Monroe Central advanced to the district final, falling to Fort Frye 39-24. The Seminoles return much from that balanced team, led by do-everything guard Kalista Friday Kalista Friday 5'4" | PG Woodsfield Monroe Central | 2022 State OH .
The River Pilots struggled initially in adjusting to life with Lake Erie’s Lauren Flannery. But the young Pilots showed promise with a couple of underclassmen finding the range from the perimeter to go with senior Allie Long’s emergence inside. Long is gone, but those two underclassmen will pilot River back to the positive side of .500.
Here’s a few young ladies who should shine when the spotlight turns is electric gaze their direction this winter.
Hallie Bommer, 2023, Beallsville
Bommer’s last name is fitting as she can light it up from the outside. She’ll no doubt be given the green light to do so this season as the “Ashleys” have moved on, leaving Bommer the leading returning scorer on a team that will be short on both numbers and experience. But that’s the story every year at a small school like Beallsville and yet they keep winning. Bommer is a 73 percent free-throw shooter and packs a quick release out wide. She also attacks and defends the basket with equal fervor.
Hannah Raper, 2023, River
Raper scored seven points per game as a freshman, totaling 22 triples including five in an early-season showdown with a tough Martins Ferry team. She’s been rounding out her game this summer playing for the NCWV Swish. Raper can score from range or off the dribble, but plays with an unselfish streak and will give up the rock for an open teammate. At 5-8, Raper has the size to cause smaller defenders headaches. Will form a solid trio with Harland and junior Kylie Piatt.
Haylyn Hiles, 2022, Monroe Central
The third-leading scorer on district final team, Hiles is a multi-threat offensive player, able to use her size (5-foot-11) to attack smaller defenders and stick put backs while also possessing a deep range. As a junior, finished second on the team in 3-pointers (40), three off the lead. A solid rebounder and defender, Hiles is one of a number of tough underclassmen on this team.
Kelsey Harlan, 2024, River
Harlan’s curly-haired mop stands out on the floor, even more so as it blows by you off the dribble. Regarded as one of the top 2024-point guards in the Upper Ohio Valley by one area coach, this 5-4 guard can do it all, drive, shoot, dish on the move. She’s also a capable on-ball defender. Her future, and that of her team, is bright down in Hannibal.