Eastern District – Division II East 2 Sectional Preview

Taking a look at the opposite side of the Eastern District’s Division II East 2 bracket, we see the district’s two through four seeds in Indian Creek, West Holmes, and Maysville. Indian Creek is experience-laden and led senior post [player_tooltip player_id="212633" first="Taylor" last="Jones"] (5-11) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="159000" first="Kylie" last="Kiger"] (5-9). Jones averages a double-double with 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds and is a quality interior defender. Kiger is deadly from behind the arc, hitting nearly 40 percent (48 of 124) from range, including 12 3-pointers in Creek’s season opener. The Redskins’ three losses have come against Poland Seminary, Union Local, and state-ranked Fort Frye. Last season, a second-seeded Indian Creek team fell in the second round to No. 6 River View, 53-50. The two seasons prior, the Redskins were bounced in the first round by Philo. Both times the Electrics were the lower-seeded team. Should Creek win, its sectional co-final opponent well could be Philo again, if the No. 7 Electrics can take care of No. 11 Steubenville in the opening round. The next two teams are no slouches, either. No. 3 West Holmes has a talented team per usual and led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="91127" first="Katie" last="Sprang"], the Knights will be a formidable out come tournament time. They’ve posted some quality wins against a number of district opponents but did lose at home to Indian Creek, 43-31. No. 4 Maysville is led by Division II West Liberty signee Bailey Smith and her 26.3 points per game average. Fellow senior Avery Vaughn (5-7) backs her with 12.2 and six boards per game, while junior Jayda Hodge (5-6) adds 10.7 and 5.7. The Panthers have six losses, but it’s a deceptive record as four of those have come against either Sheridan or Tri-Valley, and both games with the Scotties were close (61-49 and 37-32). <h5>Section Quarter/Semifinals</h5> No. 15 Indian Valley at No. 14 St. Clairsville, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. No. 15 Indian Valley/No. 14 St. Clairsville winner at No. 4 Maysville, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 16 River View at No. 3 West Holmes, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 11 Steubenville at No. 7 Philo, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 17 Meadowbrook at No. 2 Indian Creek, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. <h5>Seeding</h5> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="312">1. Tri-Valley</td> <td width="312">10. Minerva</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">2. Indian Creek</td> <td width="312">11. Steubenville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">3. West Holmes</td> <td width="312">12. East Liverpool</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">4. Maysville</td> <td width="312">13. Zanesville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">5. Dover</td> <td width="312">14. St. Clairsville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">6. John Glenn</td> <td width="312">15. Indian Valley</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">7. Philo</td> <td width="312">16. River View</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">8. Claymont</td> <td width="312">17. Meadowbrook</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">9. Carrollton</td> <td width="312">18. Beaver Local</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <h5>Intriguing First-Round Matchups</h5> No. 11 Steubenville at No. 7 Philo: This will be a game of matchups. Big Red is led by all-Ohio post [player_tooltip player_id="91083" first="Makayla" last="Abram"] (5-10) a dominant post scorer and rebounder. They also have size in sophomore Kylie Maxwell (5-11) and Lexi Martin (5-9). Philo doesn’t quite have the size, but their posts are physical. The Electrics’ best attribute is their all-around guard play. From juniors Amasia Barnett (5-4) and Kierston Harper (5-10) to the Dements, sophomore Olivia and freshman Bailey, the team’s backcourt is deep and multi-faceted. All are capable of attacking the basket off the dribble and Barnett and the Dements are solid from behind the arc. No. 17 Meadowbrook at No. 2 Indian Creek:  On paper, Indian Creek is heavily favored. They have the edge in wins and overall experience. But as noted above, the Redskins’ postseason record isn’t the best and head coach Steve Eft and company will be looking to rectify that. First, they will have to get past an upstart Meadowbrook team that’s taken its lumps playing in the Muskingum Valley League but has steadily improved throughout the season. The Colts are led by senior post Lynsey Dudley and the freshman backcourt duo of Kenli Norman and Karley Launder. Meadowbrook has been able to handle teams’ presses and if the youth can keep their wits about them and not get lost in the playoff atmosphere, this could turn into a good game. A Redskins victory may mean a rematch with recent playoff nemesis Philo in a sectional co-final. <h5>Predicted First Round Winners</h5> St. Clairsville, Maysville, West Holmes, Philo, Indian Creek <h5>Other Players of Note</h5> St. Clairsville: The Red Devils were aided by the return of Macy Malin from injury. While her best support is by far soccer, she’s the lone senior in the starting lineup and she adds another capable guard and shooter to the lineup. The pleasant surprise this season is the play out of guard Shae Brookover (5-5, 2022), who has flourished with increased responsibility this season. She’s been a steady had at point, is one of the leading scorers shoots 87 percent from the line. &nbsp; &nbsp;