Ohio Team Preview: Upper Arlington

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Result</strong>s<strong>:</strong><br>22-4 overall, 8-2 OCC Central, lost in the District Final to Olentangy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seniors Graduated:</strong><br>Quinn Buttermore (1st Team All OCC, 2nd team on the All District)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jessica Cook </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lula Lee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tatum Thrush (2nd Team All OCC), [player_tooltip player_id='886677' first='Elizabeth' last='Hunt'] (1st Team ALL OCC &amp; 1st Team All District), [player_tooltip player_id='519717' first='Ava' last='Harrigan'] (Honorable Mention All OCC), [player_tooltip player_id='808868' first='Ella' last='Hanky'] (Special Mention All OCC), Lucy Martin, Hannah Hunt<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886677' first='Elizabeth' last='Hunt']: </strong>(26) recently picked up her first DI offer from Valparaiso after a strong Sophomore and AAU season.  Hunt returns for her third year as a starter after leading the Golden Bears with 17 PPG.  She also shot 79% from the FT line.  <em>(Featured Photo- shooting)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051900,"width":"328px","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_7977.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051900" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tatum Thrush: </strong>(25) is a three year returning starter.  Her overall savvy and IQ are off the charts allowing her to dictate the game on both ends without needing to put up big scoring performances.  Last season she averaged 8 RBs and 3 assists per game.  She does it all for the Golden Bears. <em>(Below shooting)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051903,"width":"329px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/IMG_4580-crop-4148x2724-1676933562.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1051903" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='519717' first='Ava' last='Harrigan']: </strong>(25) is a two year starter.  Ava is a big time perimeter shooter that has added the ability to get to the rim and either create or score.  She is receiving heavy D3 interest.  She will become a primary ball handler in the 24-25 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051904,"width":"329px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/Ava-Harrigan-scaled-crop-2049x1345-1705788885.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1051904" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lucy Martin: </strong>(25) is a two year starter.  Lucy is team first and brings great energy.  She can shoot it with range and has become a top defender. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808868' first='Ella' last='Hanky']: </strong>(27) returns for her second season on varsity.  Ella is an elite athlete for her size.  She stepped up in big moments last year and will need to continue her maturity and growth as she looks to take the next step. <em>(Below in dark uniform)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051897,"width":"331px","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_1139.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051897" style="width:331px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hannah Hunt: </strong>(26) Really like what she brings to the team, including her spark from three point land, attacking the rim, and making strong decisions with the rock! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051906,"width":"334px","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_7944.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051906" style="width:334px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Games to Circle: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marysville, Olentangy (Battle of 614), Olentangy Liberty, Dublin Coffman, Reynoldsburg, Orangeville, CAN (Classic in the City), Richmond Heights (Journey to the Tourney), Watterson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under Coach Wanke, the Golden Bears are 54-20 the last three years.  This past season, all three regular season losses were by a combined 5 points.  Upper Arlington returns 11 of 15 varsity players and adds a really strong group of underclassmen to the core nucleus. The top varsity returnees have big game experience.  How the Golden Bears replace Buttermore, a three varsity starting PG, and handle an incredibly challenging schedule that includes 3 showcase games and a holiday tournament, will be key for a talented and experienced group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->