20-21 League Preview- Ohio Valley Conference
The OVC brings in some good talent this season. As we head toward Christmas break, a look at the conference that includes Chesapeake, Coal Grove, Fairland, Gallia Academy, Ironton, Portsmouth, Rock Hill and South Point. Not all schools returned their…
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Continue ReadingThe OVC brings in some good talent this season. As we head toward Christmas break, a look at the conference that includes Chesapeake, Coal Grove, Fairland, Gallia Academy, Ironton, Portsmouth, Rock Hill and South Point. Not all schools returned their request for information.
Players to Watch
Makenzie Hanshaw, 2021 Rock Hill
Aleigha Matney, 2021 Rock Hill
Hadyn Bailey, 2023 Rock Hill (transfer from Grace Christian Academy, Huntington WV)
Tomi Hinkle Tomi Hinkle 5'7" | CG Proctorville Fairland | 2023 State OH , 5-7 2023, Fairland
Emma Marshall, 5-6 2021, Fairland
Nia Trinidad, 5-6 2022, Portsmouth
Ayonna Carr, 5-6 2024, Portsmouth
Addi Dillow Addi Dillow 5'9" | CG Coal Grove | 2021 State OH , 5-8 2021, Coal Grove (feature photo above)
Abbey Hicks, 5-6 2022, Coal Grove
Maddie Petro, 5-10 2021, Gallia
Maddie Ward, 6-2 2021, Chesapeake
Evan Williams, 5-6 2023, Ironton
Kirsten Williams, 5-9 2023, Ironton
Sleepers to Watch
Hope Easterling, 2024 Rock Hill
Cigi Pancake, 2023 Rock Hill
Bree Allen, 5-11 2024 Fairland
Emily Cheatham, 5-6 2024, Portsmouth
Bre Wilson, 5-3 2023, Portsmouth
Kaleigh Murphy, 5-10 2022, Coal Grove
Isabel Morgan, 5-7 2023, Ironton
Thoughts on the Season
Rock Hill is a team who has eight players who are all high character kids according to their coach. They have a mixture of experience, solid young rising players and a transfer who helped lead her team to a state championship last season. The coach also stated they don’t have a “big game” on the schedule as they are trying to continue to build their program and respect all of their opponents for their preparation of the games.
Fairland is a program that has enjoyed a lot of success over the years. Jon Buchanan will have his team prepared every night, and his team is a mix of experience with some really talented young kids. He is excited about the prospects in the program.
Portsmouth has been under quarantine and had to reschedule schedule games. Coach Amy Hughes is looking to improve and make them individual players and with no seniors and only one junior, she knows the impact of not having a youth program is showing. She has not implemented a youth program with over 60 kids.
Coal Grove should be a fun team to watch with a lot of good talent. Addi Dillow Addi Dillow 5'9" | CG Coal Grove | 2021 State OH is a multi-sport athlete who led the conference in scoring last season. They return all five starters after winning the league title last season. They lost to Fairland by seven points early in the season. They have experience on their side and when their shooters are on, they are tough to beat. I enjoyed Kaleigh Murphy’s game when I saw them a couple of weeks ago.
Ironton returns some good talent, including both Williams’, Morgan, along with 5-5 2021 Kameren Arden and 5-5 2023 Teegan Carpenter along with newcomers 5-10 2023 Mary Lackey and 5-4 2021 Lilly Zornes. They lost six of their top eight players from last season.
Fun Facts
Fairland senior point guard Emma Marshall kicked the winning field goal as time ran out in a regional football playoff game.
Portsmouth coach Amy Hughes is one of the top girls basketball players in Ohio history, having played her college basketball at UConn and Xavier.
League Champion
It should come down to Fairland and Coal Grove.