Ohio Team Preview: Dublin Scioto

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Overview: </strong> In 2023, the Lady Irish went through a lot of upperclassmen injuries and the departure of University of Florida freshman volleyball player Alec Rothe before Christmas. The depth of the team was tested in the latter part of the year, but the benefits of learning last year may pay dividends going into the 2024 season for the Lady Irish.<br><br><strong>2023 Results:</strong><br>8-15 <br><br><strong>Key Wins:</strong><br>@ Worthington Kilbourne <br>Vs. Delaware Hayes<br><br><strong>Key Departures:</strong><br>The Lady Irish lost Alec Rothe (University of Florida freshman volleyball standout) and Faith Kinzer, 2 year Varsity starter.<br><br><br><strong>‘24 Players To Watch:</strong><br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746174' first='Niah' last='Smedley']- Sr- F/G </strong><em>(Below with ball, Featured Photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048334,"width":"348px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/IMG_2369.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048334" style="width:348px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>1st Team All OCC<br>1st Team All District<br>Honorable Mention All State&nbsp;<br><br>Clarion University Commit. Averaged almost 18 points and 11 rebounds a game last year playing out of position. This year, with the addition of Kamarice Jackson (transfer from Marion Harding), we really think Niah can show her true potential playing in her natural spot on the floor. Coming back strong from a minor injury she suffered this summer, she continues to show she is one of the top players in the area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828421' first='Evan' last='Rinker']- Sr- G  </strong><br>Special Mention All OCC<br>Team 3 point shooting leader <br><br>Evan came on strong last season, which was her first year of full-time varsity basketball. She continues to be a leader on and off the court. With more help this season on the floor, her role should flourish. <br><br><br><strong>Kamarice Jackson- Sr- G </strong><br>Transfer from Marion Harding. Kamarice is the coach on the floor. She will enable the Lady Irish to be more versatile on offense and defense this season. <br><br><br><strong>Callie Smoot- Sr- F </strong><br>Returned mid-last season from an ACL injury she suffered the previous spring. Her growth playing AAU this spring showed in June. True leader who does a lot of little things that can go unnoticed on a stat sheet. <br><br><br><strong>Lyla Magnussen- Jr- F </strong><br>2 year starter! Gives our team a lot of versatility on offense. Had a really good summer shooting the basketball. Hard-nosed player who will give everything she has on the floor.<br><br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834042' first='Ali' last='Haywood']- Fr- G/F </strong> Only a freshman, but the coaching staff is really excited about her future. Versatile player on offense and defense. A player to look out for in upcoming seasons. <em>(Below with ball)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048336,"width":"347px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/82D6C2D2-4915-46C2-A389-D72A06DD9733_1_105_c.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048336" style="width:347px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br><strong>Alayna McMillen- Soph- G </strong><br>Because of injuries, she ended up playing varsity as freshman. Did a really good job on the defensive end and showed a lot of improvement in her offensive game this summer.<br><br><br><strong>Games to Circle:</strong><br>11/26&nbsp;Olentangy Berlin&nbsp;<br>12/13&nbsp;and&nbsp;1/24&nbsp;Worthington Kilbourne&nbsp;<br>12/30&nbsp;Dublin Jerome<br><br>The Lady Irish lost a heartbreaking close game to Berlin last season at home, so that will be an early season test to see how much we have improved since our last meeting.<br><br>Worthington Kilbourne is a rivalry game, and they will be one of the most improved teams in the OCC in an already tough conference.<br><br>Dublin Jerome will be the first meeting between the Dublin schools in quite some time in the regular season. They are one of the most well coached teams in the area and are returning some key pieces from last year's squad.&nbsp;<br><br><br><strong>Notable from Coach Hester: </strong>Last season we dealt with a lot of unfortunate adversity with injuries and the departure of one of the better post players in the area. Those situations resolving and the addition of transfer Kamarice Jackson will make this year's version of the Lady Irish more versatile on both ends of the floor. If we can just figure out a way to close out more games than the last two seasons, I expect this team to be significantly better than my first two years at Scioto.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->