Ohio Team Preview: Westerville Central

Team Overview:   Westerville Central Girls Basketball had a historic 23-24 season with their first winning record since 2017 and their first Ohio Capital Conference Championship in school history. The Warhawks are looking to follow up the success of last season with another run at an OCC title.    Westerville Central graduated seven seniors and only return two starters, but both returning starters played a big role in last year's championship team, including [player_tooltip player_id='894215' first='Ella' last='Martin'], an All-State Selection from last season.   Coach Patrick is expecting a breakout season from other returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1052214' first='Priscilla' last='Adjei'] and Thomas Worthington transfer Sacoya Jackson.   23-24 Results:   Record: 17-6, OCC Champions -1st time in school history   Key Departures:   Sophia Roush - Currently playing collegiate basketball at Ohio Wesleyan, All-Time Assist Leader at WC. All OCC, All Central District Selections.   Kate Yaussy - 1,000 point scorer; All OCC, All Central District Selections.   [player_tooltip player_id='874989' first='Avery' last=''] Vukmanic - Currently playing collegiate soccer at the University of Dayton. All OCC Selection.   Destiny Spurlock - All OCC Selection   Maddy Jansons-Steele - 3 Point Specialist   [player_tooltip player_id='874989' first='Avery' last=''] Sanislo - Top Perimeter Defender   Rorie Stefan -Adams - Strong Role Player     Key Wins:   After years of struggling with Gahanna, Westerville Central swept the Lions last season winning at home 43-29 and then again for the OCC Title 71-46 at Gahanna.   The Warhawks swept league rival Grove City last season winning 41-34 in their first match-up and 46-33 in the second.   After defeating Groveport 43-42, in Coach Patrick's head coaching debut in 2022-23 season, the Warhawks and Cruisers had another back and forth game to open up last season. Westerville Central were victorious, 51-45!     24-25 Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='894215' first='Ella' last='Martin']: Jr -6'0 Forward - 1st Team All OCC, All Central District, District 10 Super Team, All State Selection.   Last year's Runner-Up OCC Player of the Year, Ella averaged over 16 ppg and 7 rebounds per game. Martin is ready to have another big season. She led the Warhawks in scoring her freshman and sophomore seasons and has an opportunity to score 1,000 points this year. Martin is a handful on the block but can also step out and drain perimeter shots. In Martin's senior year (25-26), she will most likely end up the All Time Leading Scorer in Westerville Central History, Boys or Girls. College coaches, this is a baller that has all the skills and work ethic to do some serious damage at the next level. What she has done in the first half of her high school career has been impressive!         [player_tooltip player_id='1052214' first='Priscilla' last='Adjei']: Sr - 5'9 Wing - All OCC Selction.   Adjei is coming off an impressive Junior season, averaging double figures. Adjei is a match-up nightmare with her versatility. She is a three level scorer and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id='999597' first='Sacoya' last='Jackson']: Jr - 5'7 Guard  Coach Patrick has been impressed with the work ethic from the Thomas Worthington transfer. Jackson is one of the better perimeter defenders in Central Ohio. She will be one of the keys to Westerville Central's success as one of the primary ball handlers. I (Angie Saiter) can attest that Jackson's on ball defense is fantastic! She will provide a speed and spark to WC! (Below on defense, Featured Photo)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/IMG_6520.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1052544" style="width:379px;height:auto" /></figure>   Audrey Reed: Jr - 5'6 Guard  Reed had a good summer and will be one of Westerville Central's top perimeter defenders and X Factors this season.     Underclassman to Keep an Eye on:   [player_tooltip player_id='1054014' first='Cami' last='Hewitt']: Freshman - 5'6 Guard  Hewitt is one of the best freshmen in the area. She can play both guard spots and one of the Warhawks best shooters. She is one of the most underrated players in this extremely talented freshman class.     More Names to Know:   [player_tooltip player_id='906963' first='Audrey' last='Nowell']: Sophomore - 5'8 Wing - Nowell is a very good defender and can affect the game in different ways. She will be very important to Westerville Central this season   Ashaya Smith: Senior - 5'9 Forward  - Smith should be one of the Warhawks top rebounders   Also Providing Depth for Westerville Central this season:   Avery Long, Madison Ragland, Christelle Croiser, Sabirin Abdillahi   Games to Circle:   12/6 and 1/24 - Pickerington North   12/13 and 1/31 - Grove City   12/20 and 2/7 - Gahanna   1/4 - Hawks will be Home vs. Rival Westerville North   The OCC-Ohio Division will be tough again this season. Gahanna, New Albany and Grove City return key players this year. Pickerington North and Westerville Central look to reload after both teams lost several seniors.   With the addition of Central Crossing, every conference game will be a battle. Westerville Central won the conference last season finishing 8-2 sweeping Gahanna, Grove City, Pickerington North and Westland.   Grove City finished second in the conference at 7-3. Gahanna finished third at 6-4.   Notable from Coach Justin Patrick (3rd Season):   Winning the conference last year was a great accomplishment. I'm glad my seniors went out with a title. They had some tough early years and I was proud to see them go out on top. We surprised a lot of people and I knew if we played the right way we could beat anyone. This season we have a lot of new faces. We'll rely on the few veterans we have and our younger girls will have to grow up fast. Once again we play a tough schedule, but we plan on coming out and competing every night.

Team Overview: