Jim’s D4 Takeaways 2/13 games
In this article:
The small schools are in the spotlight the next couple of days as I got to see several D4 games this week. First up a look at the games I saw at Sidney this week as Botkins defeated Franklin Monroe…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe small schools are in the spotlight the next couple of days as I got to see several D4 games this week. First up a look at the games I saw at Sidney this week as Botkins defeated Franklin Monroe and Mississinawa Valley knocked off Riverside.
Woodbury out of action
She has caught the eye of basketball fans up in the northern Dayton area and Mississinawa Valley 2025 Taylee Woodbury Taylee Woodbury 5'6" | PG MIssissinawa Valley | 2025 State OH finished out her season in a tough way. She missed the tournament with an injury and now prepares to recover and come back stronger than ever. Taylee is a guard with great court sense and has the ability to take over a game at any time. Can score from the perimeter and get to the rim. Taylee was ranked in the top 40 in the last PGH rankings and expect that to improve.
Stepping up for MV
Without Woodbury in the lineup, several other kids picked up the slack with a big win over Riverside. Stepping up for MV was 5-8 2024 Brenna Price Brenna Price 5'8" | SG Union City Mississinawa Valley | 2025 OH , an athletic wing who has good handles and was active around the paint. She can get to the rim and create shots. Also 6-1 2024 Mackenzie Townsend is a solid post player who does a nice job on the boards and moves well She has been a consistent player for the Blackhawks. 2025 Syenna Purdin Syenna Purdin 5'8" | SG Mississinawa Valley | 2025 OH has good three point range, long and active on defense. She has a good basketball IQ and puts herself in position to score.
Jets refueling
Franklin Monroe was already at a disadvantage heading into their game against Botkins. Two of their top players were out of action as Olivia Sease and Adeline Hines were not able to play due to injuries. But the Jets battled Botkins well after falling behind. Lille Shellabarger is a 5-8 2024 who did a nice job seeing the floor well and can make the good pass. 2023 Jaliyah Nichols has the ability to play fast and penetrate to the rim Has a good short range game, can hit the runner in the paint. Also has a nice midrange shot. 2025 Kyra Barnes has a lot of energy and is not afraid to mix it up. Also 2026 Eva Shellabarger is learning the game at this level and I expect her game to improve before she steps onto the floor as a sophomore.
Botkins heads to finals
Led by a pair of 2024 players, Botkins showed again they are ready for the post season tournament. Camdyn Paul is a 5′ guard who is really quick on the defensive end, she also can score from the perimeter and she drives well to the rim. Good at the PG spot, she is a scrappy player who is aggressive to the ball. Another junior was 5-8 Melanie Maurer who was impressive as a sharp shooter who is a good set shooter, able to hit the three or the midrange. She does a good job with her shot off the pass. Not only did they defeat Franklin Monroe on the night I was there but they came back and knocked off Mississinawa Valley laster in the week.