Ohio Team Preview- Springfield Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Overview-</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Headed into the 2024 basketball season Springfield is hoping to build off the success from the past year. Coming off a program high 13 win season, the goals and expectations for this team remain high. Only one senior graduated, meaning that the team returns its core players from last season and many of them have put in a lot of hard work over the spring and summer to expand their game. The team wants to play a fun to watch brand of basketball focused on playing fast and capitalizing on the strengths they have including: athleticism, speed, and defense. In the 2024-2025 season they will have a new head coach, Brooks Russell. He was part of the staff that saw the success from last season and they also retain assistant coaches Nick Weems and Davon Vance. Even though there has been a change in the head coaching position, the consistency of the team, coaching staff, and philosophy gives the team confidence that they can build on their success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Results</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield High School had been open for 15 years before last girls basketball season, and in those 15 years the girls team had not compiled one winning record. That changed last year with the team going 12-10 in the regular season to post the highest winning percentage of any Springfield Girls team since the school opened in 2008. They advanced to the sectional final where they faced a familiar opponent, the Centerville Elks. While Centerville won the sectional final, the season remains the most successful to this point in Lady Wildcats recent history and provides a nice launching pad for the program to build off of moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Players to Watch</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='748811' first='Milly' last='Portis'], 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is xxtremely athletic, able to attack the rim and can knock down shots of the dribble. She wreaks havoc on defense with her length. Milly will be a key player for the Cats, when she is playing well they are a much more complete team. Look for her to attack the basket a lot this year and use her length and athleticism to create around the rim. Last year she earned: 2nd Team GWOC, 1st team District 9, 1st team Clark County, Honorable Mention Southwest District, Honorable Mention All State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='959239' first='Day'Veonna' last='Boynton'], 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is an explosive forward with length and speed, able to finish at the rim through contact and around contact. Has a great motor, never quits on a loose ball or rebound, has continued to develop a soft touch around the rim and expanded her ability to play around the perimeter. Last year she earned: 2nd Team GWOC, 1st team District 9, 1st team Clark County, Honorable Mention Southwest District, set single season record for rebounds at Springfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K'Leighonna Grable, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true center, able to finish around the rim on offense and protect the rim on defense. This year has worked to expand her game and be able to play both face up and back to the basket. Has developed a jump shot from 15 feet that makes her more dynamic and forces teams to guard her </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Names to Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaela Johnson, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of their strongest on ball defenders - quick feet and great anticipation. Has unbelievable court vision and passing ability along with great work ethic and drive. Look for her to develop more on the ball and become the secondary option at point guard for us this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meredith Mitchell, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Post with great footwork and high IQ - one of their best interior defenders. Meredith is able to hold her spot and post up then finish through contact. Operates out of the high post with the ability to knock down a jump shot or put the ball on the floor </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player With Breakout Potential</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jada Crockran, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true point guard - team leader, directs offense, elite passing skills, and able to manipulate defenders out of the pick and roll. Has all the intangibles and does what is needed for her team - last year it involved a lot of things that didn't always show up in a box score. Look for her to expand her role this year and be more aggressive trying to score. While she is integral to our team, the reason she is considered to have breakout potential is because her impact this year should show up all over the box score as she takes full control of the team from the PG position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen To Keep An Eye On</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laila James, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising sophomore who can attack the rim . Has good size, length, and speed which will make her difficult to match up against. She will be an important piece for them who can provide depth off the bench in a long GWOC season - would not be surprised to see her role grow as the season progresses</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Schedule/Games to Circle</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-4 Decades Tip Off  vs. Portsmouth (11/24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Against State Semifinalist Springboro (12/4 + 1/15)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First annual GWOC v. GCL challenge vs. Chaminade Julienne (12/8 @ Wayne HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sectional Final Rematch against Centerville (12/11 + 1/18)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Braggin Rights Opponents TBD (12/28 + 12/29)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Notable</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team only graduated one senior, so the core from last year are now upperclassmen. While this will be their 4th coach in 4 years, the level of consistency with players, the new coaching staff, and philosophy provide the opportunity to build off last season's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->