20-21 League Preview- Metro Buckeye Conference

The Metro Buckeye Conference goes through Xenia again this year, as Legacy Christian returns two of the top five players in the league for 2020-21. The teams in the conference includes Dayton Christian, Jefferson, Legacy Christian, Middletown Christian, Troy Christian and Yellow Springs. Due to COVID and low numbers, Miami Valley will not be offering girls basketball this season. <span style="font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5 Players to Watch</span></strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="32575" first="Emma" last="Hess"], 6-0 2021, Legacy Christian [player_tooltip player_id="32589" first="Kathleen" last="Ahner"], 5-8 2021, Legacy Christian [player_tooltip player_id="32619" first="Angie" last="Smith"], 5-7 2022, Yellow Springs Trinity Bellard, 5-9 2022, Middletown Christian Tahnez Herron, 5-7 2023, Dayton Jefferson <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">4 Sleepers to Watch</span></strong> Tiffany McAfee, 5-8 2022, Dayton Christian Morgan Taylor, 5-8 2021, Troy Christian Aaliyah Longshaw, 5-7 2022, Yellow Springs Sarah Johnson, 6-0 2022, Troy Christian <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">4 Thoughts on the League</span></strong> Legacy Christian has won or shared the league title the last three years... and ironically Hess and Ahner were the catalyst every year. Will they be able to make it a perfect 4-for-4 on titles before they graduate? Time will tell, but they are a deadly combo together and Hess has been the best player in the conference at least the last 2 years, or some could argue every year she has been there. Troy Christian coach Tony Ferraro just wants his team to stay healthy. Sarah Johnson, a rising post player, has dealt with injuries most of her high school career and she is a difference maker for the Eagles. I also like Morgan Taylor, who can not only score but defend, as her 4.0 steals per game last season was second in the conference. The deadliest scorer in the league is [player_tooltip player_id="32619" first="Angie" last="Smith"], as she has already surpassed the 1,000 point mark after her sophomore year. She is on track to become a 2,000-point scorer but could use some help at YS. Look for a few others to step up and contribute this season. Miami Valley will not be fielding a team this season due to low numbers from COVID. Returning standout Katie Campbell would have been among the top five players in the league. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">3 Games to Watch</span></strong> Troy Christian @ Legacy Christian- December 17 Legacy Christian @ Yellow Springs- December 7 Dayton Christian @ Carlisle- January 14 <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">2 Fun Facts</span></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="32575" first="Emma" last="Hess"] becomes the first player from the MBC to receive a D1 scholarship since Erian Buckman from Jefferson (2005) who started her college career at Wright State. The year before that, the Frazee triplets (Megan, Moriah, Molly) all signed with D1 Liberty University. With the loss of her team at Miami Valley School, Katie Campbell will be playing for her hometown of Beavercreek this season. She is an outstanding guard with good perimeter skills. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">1 League Champion</span></strong> Legacy Christian &nbsp;