Greater Catholic League Coed Preview

The Greater Catholic League lost Purcell Marian and Roger Bacon after last season as they joined a different league. That leaves six talented teams competing for the title this year. Dayton Carroll, Kettering Alter, Middletown Fenwick, Hamilton Badin, Cincinnati McNick and Dayton Chaminade Julienne will battle all season long for the GCL crown. <span style="font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5 Players to Watch</span></strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="269820" first="Caraline" last="Kernan"], 5-8 2022, Alter [player_tooltip player_id="159378" first="Sarah" last="Ochs"], 5-7 2022, Carroll [player_tooltip player_id="269818" first="Karlie" last="Romer"], 5-10 2022, Alter [player_tooltip player_id="312664" first="Mahya" last="Lindesmith"], 5-8 2022, Hamilton Badin Madalyn Mahoney, 5-9 2023, Middletown Fenwick <span style="font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4 Teams to Watch<img class="size-medium wp-image-284017 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Karlie-Romer-2-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></span></strong></span> Carroll has been the cream of the crop the last several years, with three consecutive trips to the state final four including a runner-up finish in 2019. 2020 was incomplete due to Covid shutting down the tournament then they lost in semis last season. They are always prepared for the challenge in front of them, and this season will showcase Ochs, a very stable and solid guard with good handles and nice range. Addie Ryan is a 5-10 sophomore hoping to see her contributions increase while Meghan Partlette is a 5-8 sophomore ready to break out. Fenwick looks to put together a solid season and lost some talent to graduation. However, I do like the perimeter threat coming from Mahoney, as she had a good summer and continued to improve. They don’t have a lot of offensive firepower back, but they have some promising freshmen that you will read about later in this preview. One of the rising teams who will contend for a league title will be Alter. They are no stranger to success, and this group of talented seniors and some good young talent could be a good recipe for success. Romer <em>(pictured right) </em>was listed above, but she has senior teammates Emma Hansley a 5-8 guard and [player_tooltip player_id="269820" first="Caraline" last="Kernan"] a 5-8 guard who are equally as good. [player_tooltip player_id="217360" first="Riley" last="Smith"] has vaulted her stock through the roof as a 6-2 sophomore. Hamilton Badin will be one of the teams who could make some serious noise again this season. They advanced to the regionals last season and return some next level talent with Lindesmith <em>(feature photo above)</em>, along with 5-11 2022 Jada Pohlen and 5-5 2022 Morgan Dixon. That trio will be difficult to deal with, as they are skilled and versatile to compete against anyone on their schedule. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong>3 Fun Facts on the league</strong></span> Alter and CJ have combined to advance to the state final four nine times since 2010, as they both are familiar with what it takes to make the long run through the post season. CJ will have a new coach this season, as longtime AAU coach Logan Allen takes over for the retired Randy Duff. Badin was 7-8 after 15 games last season winning their next five. then reeled off six straight in the tournament. They say it’s not always how many you win, but when you win them. <span style="font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2 Games to Watch</span></strong></span> Jan. 5- Alter at Carroll Jan. 29- Fenwick at Badin <span style="font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Keep an eye on.....</span></strong></span> In addition to Smith, there are several other players who could have breakout years. Ali Davis is a freshman at Carroll with a solid skillset, while [player_tooltip player_id="216005" first="Kennedy" last="Gadson"] looks to return from injury last season to be a strong leader at CJ. Carroll will have three freshman who could make noise; Lyla Oliver (5-8), Sydney O’Connor (5-8) and Davis, a 5-10 wing. One to watch for Fenwick is Alden Melzer, a 5-10 2025 forward who from all indications is a very solid rebounder, has a great IQ and can play the 4 spot. [player_tooltip player_id="329486" first="Caroline" last="Hathaway"] is a 5-11 2025 also from Fenwick with a sharp all around game.  I really like what I have seen from Maddie Moody in the summer, a 6-2 2025 at Alter. <span style="font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Who Wins the League?</span></strong></span> On paper, Alter is loaded and could easily win it, Carroll knows what it takes to win and Badin made a huge run last spring going all the way to the regional finals. So it is a very balanced top three, with a rising Fenwick program closing in fast. They always say to be the best, you have to beat the best....and Carroll is the top returning team in the conference. Only time will tell. &nbsp;