20-21 League Previews – Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (3A)

Class 3A has an obvious favorite for the overall team championship as state semifinalist Fort Frye returns all but one player (and starter) from its OVAC, Section, District, and Regional championship team. Martins Ferry also won its OVAC tournament title last season in 4A, but the Riders dropped down both in class and experience. The big question is can anyone challenge the Cadets for the 4A crown? <strong>5 Players to Watch:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159361" first="Kalista" last="Friday"]</strong>, 5-2, 2022, Monroe Central <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159360" first="Hannah" last="Archer"]</strong>, 5-7, 2022, Fort Frye <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="214482" first="Kenzie" last="Dalton"]</strong>, 5-3, 2022, Fort Frye <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153331" first="Mady" last="Winters"]</strong>, 6-2, 2021, Magnolia <strong>Maria Clark</strong>, 5-8, 2022, Martins Ferry <strong>4 Sleepers</strong> <strong>Halle Markovich</strong>, 5-11, 2023, Barnesville <strong>Rylee Stephens</strong>, 5-8, 2021, Barnesville <strong>Carleigh Grimm</strong>, 6-1, 2022, Linsly <strong>Lexie Huck</strong>, 5-7, 2021, Fort Frye <strong>4 Thoughts:</strong> Magnolia’s [player_tooltip player_id="153331" first="Mady" last="Winters"] missed all of her junior season after earning first-team all-W.Va. honors as a freshman and sophomore. She’s already verbaled to play volleyball for D-II power Wheeling University. This fall, she showed no signs of losing a step on the volleyball court. Her ability to do so in basketball will go a long way in helping improve the Blue Eagles’ fortunes. Every team in this classification has won at least one OVAC championship, but none more so than Fort Frye’s 10. The Cadets have won six since the inception of the tournament championship and have at least made the semifinals every year since 2009. That was also the last time Fort Frye had a losing season. While Martins Ferry did win the Class 4A title last season, it now much replace two cornerstones in the department Richella Spielvogel and Madison Ging. The Purple Riders can turn first to junior 3-point ace Maria Clark, who averaged nearly 10 points a game whilst knocking down 38 triples as a sophomore at a 50-percent clip. Life without Katrina Davis begins in Bellaire and the Lady Big Reds will be on the hunt for a scoring identity. Davis recorded a number of triple-doubles last season in being named the Ohio Division III Player of the Year. She’s currently at Bluefield State and second-leading scorer Mia Gavarkavich also graduated. Might senior and fourth-year starter Jayden Lowe (two at St. John, two at Bellaire) move into that role? <strong>3 Big Games:</strong> Shadyside at Monroe Central – Nov. 30 Fort Frye at Union Local – Dec. 5 Warren at Magnolia – Dec. 14 <strong>2 Fun Facts:</strong> Fort Frye has some unfinished business from last season after the Cadets reached the Division IV state semifinals and never got to play their game against Minster thanks to COVID. All but one player returns and with an offseason of seasoning, there’s no reason to think Coach Dan Liedtke’s team can’t return. The team the Cadets beat in the district final, Monroe Central, is also starting at a potentially great season. The Seminoles returned a lot of key players in Friday, junior Haylyn Hiles and sophomore post Abby Thompson. The best part, they will also be back for 2021-2022. <strong>1 League Champion Prediction:</strong> Fort Frye