Ohio Team Preview: Centerburg

2024 Overview:   In 2023, Centerburg had its first winning season since the 2017-18 campaign and its first KMAC Championship since 2013-14. The Lady Trojans look to follow up last year's memorable season with another run at a KMAC title and a deep run into the Division VI tournament. Centerburg returns four starters who all logged big minutes from last year's championship team, including the KMAC Player of the Year, and has good depth off the bench.    2023 results / Key Wins:   19-6 - 1st in KMAC Central District D3 Runner-Up (Lost to Africentric in District Final) Key wins:    – Centerburg had three battles with Cardington-Lincoln (15-10) last year, twice in league play and in the D3 District Semi-Final with the Lady Trojans winning all three matchups. (52-44, 41-32, 48-35)   – Danville (17-8 Overall) Centerburg avenged an early season double overtime loss at Danville with a resounding 57-21 win at home.    – Fredericktown (13-11) - They handled their league rival twice last season  (47-34, 49-39)   '24 Players to watch:   The Lady Trojans lose two seniors (3-point specialist Kennedi Glenn and 4-year letter winner Clara Johnson) and will have to find ways to replace their output.    Sr - G/F Kayla Larimore  Last year's KMAC Player of the Year, averaging over 18 pts and 6 boards a game, the 5'10 Larimore is a commit to the University of Northwestern Ohio and is poised for another big year. With the ability to score inside, outside, mid range, in traffic, and in transition, Kayla's a major matchup problem for opposing defenses.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/21D38BEE-4531-4044-94AC-D8FFFBE293C8_1_105_c.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1047613" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>   Jr - G/F Tiara Sheppard  Sheppard was 1st team all KMAC last year, averaging over 10 pts a game and did a little bit of everything - steals, rebounds, and assists.  The 6'0 wing's emergence last year was a huge factor in Centerburg's success and her and Larimore provide the Lady Trojans with two very strong, physical players who can score in various ways and get out in transition.    Jr - SG/PG Kenlee Fairall 2nd Team KMAC last year, the younger Fairall is a bulldog on the floor. Leading the league in steals (96), she has a motor that does not stop. Another player who is lethal in transition, she can put it on the floor and attack and can knock down threes. Her energy is contagious. (Featured Photo)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/IMG_0714.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1047614" style="width:310px;height:auto" /></figure>   Jr - PG Evie Stowe  Stowe is the consummate point guard. She can score when asked but she's the primary facilitator of the team. The fastest player in the KMAC, Stowe is yet another kid who is lethal in the open floor and can really make things happen.    Sr - F Chesnee Fairall One of the team's two seniors, the older Fairall adds another strong, physical presence on the floor. A key sub last season, Chesnee adds a workmanlike mentality to the team and does anything that is asked of her. Every team needs a senior like her who is focused on doing her job.    Jr - G Taylor Bryant Another sub last year who looks to expand her role this season, Bryant is yet another athletic guard who can push the tempo and play in the open court.    So - F Cara Ross Ross played mostly JV as a freshman, but she should get solid varsity minutes this season and will add needed depth in the post for the Lady Trojans.   Jr - PG/SG [player_tooltip player_id='944087' first='Lauren' last='Ellis'] The X-factor this season is the 6'0 guard transfer from Olentangy Berlin. Ellis played in 22 varsity games for the Bears as a sophomore and averaged 3 points in 15 minutes per game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/D3C8A0C3-2C91-4F63-9C03-2D18D1F7741F_1_201_a.webp?w=575" alt="" class="wp-image-1047616" style="width:210px;height:auto" /></figure>   Games to Circle   Loudonville 12/17 and 1/22 Cardington 12/20 and 1/25 Fredericktown 1/3 and 1/29   The KMAC will be tough this season, especially with the addition of Loudonville and these six games will play a huge factor on who wins the league. Centerburg won the KMAC last year by going 4-0 against Cardington and Fredericktown but both teams have several returning starters and will provide a stiff challenge.     Utica - 1/13 - Utica's entire team is back including Otterbein commit [player_tooltip player_id='637281' first='Abby' last='Dickson'] and highly touted sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='809015' first='Emily' last='Ritzer']. Centerburg handled Utica last year 55-39 but this year the game is played at Utica.     Notable   From 2nd year coach Bill Abner: Last year, our motivation was to prove to everyone, including ourselves, that we had a good team that could compete for a league title and make a deep tourney run. We did that. Now comes the tough part; we're not going to sneak up on anyone this year. The target is firmly on our back and we know we're going to get everyone's best shot. Playing the role of underdog or upstart is easy. It's easy when you can play the "no one respects us" card.  Now we have to defend a title. Now we have to come together with the understanding that teams have circled us on the schedule. How we handle that will go a long way in determining how successful we're going to be this season.  Our girls are ready to go.

2024 Overview: