Ohio Conference Preview- Southwestern Buckeye League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My preseason coverage from Southwest and Northwest Ohio continues today with two more conference Previews. First up, a look at the SWBL, a conference with some very competitive teams and top players who should shine in the region this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP 5 TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["959182"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6907abbdedd4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top sophomore in the conference and one of the top 20 in Ohio. Her game has exploded after a great freshman season and strong summer. Jolie is a player who can beat you inside or out, can drain a three all day long and is productive at both ends of the floor. She will be in the running for league POY this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["640910"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6907abbdede14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She has committed to Grove City and with good measure. Her game has also improved and she is ready to unleash the senior leadership this year. She has good handles, can produce with the ball by either scoring, or distributing the ball with outstanding court vision. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716553"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6907abbdedece"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of that phenomenal 2028 class in Ohio, Libby is a fantastic multi-sport athlete who attributes her basketball success to her incredible work ethic and dedication. She can defend, force mistakes and push transition. Able to score from deep behind the three, or getting downhill to the rim. Watch this one!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["413291"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6907abbdedf71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As the defending league POY, Katie will see her role increase with the loss of some strong offensive players. She can score with the best of them, but will be counted on for more roles. She is a natural-born leader, plays the game as cool and calm as anyone at her position. She is headed to Cedarville for her college career!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["808225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6907adfcb1e8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best defender in the league, Maggie has made her decision to Mount Vernon Nazarene. She can lock you down and frustrate you all game long. Love her ability to anticipate the game and create havoc at that end of the floor. Offensively, Maggie is an efficient player, doesn't shoot a lot of threes but will score in a variety of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2ND TEAM OF KEY PLAYERS RETURNING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833666' first='Savannah' last='Romer'], 5-4 2028, Oakwood- </strong>fiery PG, creates chaos on defense. Quick and spunky with the ball. Love her court awareness and vision, able to make the tough pass and wants to get everyone involved in the offense. Watch for a big year from Savannah!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='894146' first='Autumn' last='Gillenwater'], 5-4 2027, Eaton- </strong>she has committed to Defiance as a junior for hoops and soccer. Great summer, game has evolved. Drives well, can knock down the three. Looks to be a different player this year with bigger numbers and production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='899623' first='Lauren' last='Fabrick'], 5-10 2027, Belbrook- </strong>She had a great season last year, look for bigger things now. Great length, can hurt you inside or out. Can rebound well, Defensively she creates chances for her team. Long and can protect the passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834485' first='Janna' last='Cary'], 5-10 2028, Oxford Talawanda- </strong>Janna is extremely sound fundamentally, her game will continue to grow as she progresses through high school. Distributes the ball well, live her basketball IQ and court intelligence knowing where to be at all times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='538309' first='Rivers' last='Lemke'], 5-7 2026, Valley View- </strong>What I love the most about her game is her desire to make her team better. She is now the senior leader and most complete player ready for her best year yet. Fundamentally sound, great vision and is a playmaker for the Spartans. Her best is yet to come!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ON THE RISE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='481379' first='Emilee' last='Hargis'], 5-5 2026, Eaton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1235792' first='Kinley' last='Kummer'], 5-8 2028, Brookville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brynn Gill, 5-10 2027, Carlisle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='481367' first='Olivia' last='Truesdell'], 5-9 2026, Franklin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liv Carpenter, 5-10 2026, MIddletown Madison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='748818' first='Emma' last='Adolph'], 5-11 2026, Monroe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordon Degroat, 5-7 2028, Valley View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HERE THEY COME!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful of talented freshman will be making their mark in the conference this year. Here are just a few to keep an eye on this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1235418' first='Macy' last='Miller'], Bellbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1264382' first='Bella' last='Cobb'], Oxford Talawanda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1267835' first='Boston' last='Stapleton'], Oxford Talawanda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1265468' first='Bri' last='Byrd'], Oxford Talawanda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucy Hoover, Brookville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BOLD PREDICTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Buckeye DIvision</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 Waynesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 Brookville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 Oakwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Southwestern Division</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 Bellbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 Oxford Talawanda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 Monroe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->