SW Dist.- Sectionals D3/4 happenings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday I looked at the D1 and D2 teams and players from the Southwest District tournament draw, today a look at D3 and D4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top First Round Matchups </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Georgetown vs James Gamble (D3 South 2)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Georgetown was only 10-9 at the tournament draw, but they have a good balanced attack as they look to compete with 13-5 Gamble, seeded #8. Morgan Preston is a 5-5 2025 and she is the offensive leader for Georgetown with help coming in from another 5-5 2025 Gabrielle Ernst. They are young but they are tested this season against some competitive teams from the conference. Gamble is led by a trio of upperclassmen all scoring close to double figures on the season. Watch for 2025 Rodnora Jones, 2024 Jeriyah Clark and 2025 Amor Leath. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Arcanum vs Madison (D3 North 1)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arcanum battled at the top of the WOAC and has a very talented and improving 2025 in [player_tooltip player_id='802530' first='Alexis' last='Gibbons'] but they also have 2026 Caroline Long, 2025 Brooke Anderson and 2024 Ashlyn Miller as they are a balanced club looking to put together a run. Arcanum beat Madison in a non-conference game 53-44 this season, so the Mohawks will be ready to get revenge in the tournament opener. I already mentioned Wells in this story as a player who gets overlooked but has a steady game. Also watch for 2024 Emily Webb as a contributor along with 2026 Emma Ohair.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Greeneview vs Greenon (D3 North 3)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a battle between two teams from the Ohio Heritage Conference. Greeneview is a young team led by 5-5 2026 Daylee Sandlin who scores just over 12 points per game. Their next two offensive threats are also both sophomores with 5-11 2026 Money Vest and 5-5 2026 Kylan Climie. As for Greenon, they have some solid offensive threats including 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='895205' first='Sarah' last='Riley'], a point guard who can score and distribute the ball. Avery Minteer is a 2025 also averaging double figures. Watch for 2024s Allie Hundley, Sydney Hartley and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='808877' first='Cassidy' last='Faust']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Calvary Christian vs Newton (D4 North 3)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I do not know much about Calvary Christian, but they come into the tournament with only two losses on the season despite being seeded eighth overall. Newton is #11 and is a team who is in the middle of the pack in their league, but I am interested in checking out this matchup in the opening round. I really like their 2024 guard Reese Hess, one of the more complete guards in the WOAC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller Spreen, 5-6 2026, Cincinnati Mariemont (outstanding guard who can score and distribute)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='218278' first='Kylie' last='Wells'], 5-9 2024, Middletown Madison (her talent is often overlooked, but she averages a double-double!)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='802530' first='Alexis' last='Gibbons'], 5-8 2025, Arcanum (quite putting up a very nice season for the Trojans)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roni Poling, 6-0 2024, Russia (one of the best post players in D4, leader of the Raiders)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ali Solomon, 5-10 2025, Legacy Christian (one of two favorites for POY in the MBC, often flies under the radar outside of their conference)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Teams to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summit Country Day- D3 South 3 @ Fairfield (always a challenge at tournament time!)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna- D3 North 1 @ Covington (#10 seed with a lot of good tournament history)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenon- D3 North 3 @ Northridge (their PG returning makes them a tough out)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Center- D4 North 2 @ Versailles. (#6 seed with a great upside) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potential Finals Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D4 @ Versailles- Tri Village vs Mississinawa Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone is waiting for this potential matchup in the finals. It is penciled in for me too! Tri Village is the defending state champions with a whole new look. Bella Black is a 2024 who is battling injury right now, but they have 6-3 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='538123' first='Kynnedi' last='Hager'] and 5-6 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='481366' first='Tai' last='Mize']. MV brings in the point guard who the talk of the area in 5-6 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='369041' first='Taylee' last='Woodbury'], but they have plenty to go with her. [player_tooltip player_id='849205' first='Syenna' last='Purdin'] is a super talented 2025, along with 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='895516' first='Brenna' last='Price'], 2024 Kenzie Townsend and 2026 Brooklyn Seubert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D3 @ Fairfield- Cincinnati Country Day vs Seven Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cincinnati Country Day is traditionally solid program, and this year is no different. If this happens it will put two of the top teams from the same conference as the Miami Valley Conference has some outstanding programs. Megan Zimmerman 5-8 2024 has been very good with her ability to create plays and score for her team, at nearly 20 per game. Elizabeth Zimmerman 5-8 2024 is right behind her while a very steady point guard is 5-7 2024 Sam Easter. Seven Hills is at the top of their division in the MVC with 2027 Reagan Licata leading the charge enjoying some strong offensive games this season. Another 2027 who has produced is Sophie Wiles, meaning the future looks good for the Stigners, and that future is now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D3 @ Covington- Waynesville vs Versailles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the favored matchup barring anything crazy in the bottom of the bracket. Waynesville should be fine to get there, as they are very balanced with five starters who all could drop 20 on any night. Emme Greely is the lone 2024 starter, while [player_tooltip player_id='319354' first='Avery' last='Whitaker'] and Tori See are 2025s who are very capable to lighting it up. Two key 2026s are [player_tooltip player_id='413291' first='Katie' last='Berrey'] <em>*featured photo above) </em>and [player_tooltip player_id='808225' first='Maggie' last='Stephenson'] and they are among the best sops in the region. Versailles is another team with a lot of different weapons starting with their seniors [player_tooltip player_id='746266' first='Jenna' last='Dirksen'], a 5-9 guard and Allison Schwartz a 6-0 forward. Watch for 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='849193' first='Taylor' last='Wagner'] and 2026 Katie Litten as the four who would matchup well with the Waynesville Fab Five. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D4 @ Sidney- Covington vs Russia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This potential matchup would be a lot of fun for the communities, as they are only separated by 11 miles. Covington has sisters Grace Anderson 2024 guard and [player_tooltip player_id='895498' first='Maggie' last='Anderson'], a 2025 wing who are a solid backcourt, along with 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='316729' first='Carlie' last='Besecker'] and a young guard 2026 Avery Koffer. Russia is near the top of the Shelby County League, only behind Fort Loramie, and they have 2024 Roni Poling, who I got to see for the first time this season and was impressed. Also 2026 Celeste Borchers is a multidimensional guard and has seen her game grow already this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->