Jim’s 5 Takeaways 2/8 Dayton Sectionals- D2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got to see one game on Monday night as Tecumseh knocked off Greenville, then tonight the defending state champions from Alter defeated Stivers 70-9 and Greenon earned a tough OT win over Eaton as all three winners advance to the second round of the Division 2 Dayton Sectionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>New faces on the rise</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got to see several freshman who I think has really improved their game as the season progressed. [player_tooltip player_id='481366' first='Tai' last='Mize'] from Eaton is a starting point guard who played poised in a game that went into overtime. She showed good handles and even though she doesn't score much on the offensive end, she runs the show well, defends and earned a lot of experience this season. Another 2026 who benefitted from playing with experience is [player_tooltip player_id='538246' first='Sammy' last='Russell'] who I saw Monday night. She is starting with 4 seniors all going to play at the next level. Another player who has shown she has adjusted to the game well. Da'Shai Shepherd ia a strong physical 2026 who showed me her maturity and skill level in their win over Stivers. I had seen her earlier in the year and was just as impressed. These three have good futures in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Milestones for some Knights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two members of the Greenon girls basketball team that I saw tonight both went over 1,000 career points in the same season. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='521310' first='Abby' last='West'] <em>(feature photo above) </em>is a lengthy wing with good range, can make moves to the rim through traffic and is such a major threat for the Knights. [player_tooltip player_id='362299' first='Claire' last='Henry'] is another 2023 with excellent guard skills, handles and the ability to slash to the rim and score. Both were key parts in the big overtime win tonight and are among the top 2023s in Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Improved from Day 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I first saw 2023 Lily Shepherd play, I was impressed that she was able to score from the perimeter, with a knack from the corner to knock down some shots. Now as I saw her final game with Eaton, I was very impressed how far she has come since that day I saw her at Brookville. She is a major threat in a variety of ways, can score by slashing to the rim, great body control and able to finish. Still can knock down the three, also creates shots with a complete game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Looking to Repeat</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off of their state title, Alter brought back some key components to their success last year. [player_tooltip player_id='217360' first='Riley' last='Smith'] is a 2024 who can score on you from the perimeter. [player_tooltip player_id='366785' first='Elena' last='Thompson'] is a good leader and is able to make things happen from the guard position. But the player who wowed me the most in the two times I have seen them is 2025 Maddie Moody. Her game is just different from what I remember. She is more of a complete threat, physically stronger at the rim and go ahead and leave her open behind the arc and see what happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>On the Way Up</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two players who I thought really improved their games from the teams I saw tonight and Monday were [player_tooltip player_id='533115' first='Megan' last='Lind'] from Greenville and Hannah Mayse from Alter. Megan is a 2025 post who showed me some outstanding skills around the rim, good footwork and a soft touch to score. Mayse is a 2024 guard who is a lockdown defender who has really improved on her ball handling and perimeter game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->