Eastern District – Division II East 1 Sectional Preview

Division II for the Eastern District is also split in two. It’s also top-heavy, but that weight is a bit more spread out amongst the top teams than in Division III, which boasts clear-cut favorites. The top-seeded Scotties of Tri-Valley are led by one of the more dynamic 2023’s in all of Ohio in [player_tooltip player_id="93546" first="Lexi" last="Howe"]. Seeds two, three, and four all opted for the East 2 bracket and will do battle to see who will (likely) join Tri-Valley in the regional. The Scotties have made it through a rigorous Muskingum Valley League relatively unscathed at 14-3, with losses to Olentangy along with two defeats to MVL champion and top-ranked DII school Sheridan. In both games, T-V kept up with the Generals, including a two-point loss in the first matchup. Howe forms a dangerous 1-2 combo when paired with senior guard Riley Tracy. They’ve led the Scotties to a season-sweep of Maysville, along with an impressive showing against Bath during the Classic in the Country. The next-highest seed on this side of the bracket is No. 5 Dover, which has a couple quality wins but hasn’t faced near the schedule that Tri-Valley has and has struggled against more top-tier opponents like Indian Creek, New Philadelphia, and Warren. If chalk holds to the district final, it’ll be the Scotties against either the Crimson Tornadoes or No. 6 John Glenn. The Muskies have hovered around .500 all season and own a few quality wins, including sweeping a pair with No. 7-seeded Philo. But the Little Muskies have had their struggles as well in games against Fort Frye, Sheridan, and Tri-Valley. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="214486" first="Angela" last="Kumler"] (6-2) runs the show at the point and has shown flashes this season, as has senior Abi Shirer, the team’s best perimeter threat. <h5>Section Quarter/Semifinals</h5> No. 9 Carrollton at No. 8 Claymont, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. No. 9 Carrollton/No. 8 Claymont winner at No. 5 Dover, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 10 Minerva at No. 6 John Glenn, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 18 Beaver Local at No. 1 Tri-Valley, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. No. 13 East Liverpool at No. 12 Zanesville, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. <h5>Seeding</h5> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="312">1. Tri-Valley</td> <td width="312">10. Minerva</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">2. Indian Creek</td> <td width="312">11. Steubenville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">3. West Holmes</td> <td width="312">12. East Liverpool</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">4. Maysville</td> <td width="312">13. Zanesville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">5. Dover</td> <td width="312">14. St. Clairsville</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">6. John Glenn</td> <td width="312">15. Indian Valley</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">7. Philo</td> <td width="312">16. River View</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">8. Claymont</td> <td width="312">17. Meadowbrook</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="312">9. Carrollton</td> <td width="312">18. Beaver Local</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <h5>Intriguing First-Round Matchup</h5> The 13 v. 12 matching pitting Zanesville on the road against East Liverpool is the most intriguing on this side of the bracket. Both have similar records, but while the Potters’ best two wins are likely its season-sweep of Edison, the Blue Devils own a victory against No. 6 John Glenn and have won three in a row. Zanesville is led by freshman Jersey Draugn (5-6) who comes in averaging 13.8 points per game, but during the Devils recent win streak, Draugn has scored 27, 26, and 32 points in succession and is getting hot at the right time. East Liverpool, meanwhile, relies on the perimeter shooting of Mikayla Reed, who established the single-game 3-point mark earlier this season with 10. <h5>Predicted First Round Winners</h5> Carrollton, Dover, John Glenn, Tri-Valley, Zanesville <h5>Other Players of Note</h5> Dover: Crimson Tornadoes are led by the junior combo of [player_tooltip player_id="214487" first="Tori" last="Jones"] (5-8) and [player_tooltip player_id="214488" first="Morgan" last="Kiser"] (5-8). Both are capable of knocking down the 3-ball and Kiser is a capable guard, able to push the tempo and create off the dribble. Carrollton: The Warriors have a couple capable scorers, but the key come the postseason will be the senior/freshman outside combination of 2021 guard Abby Laizure (5-6) and freshman Hillari Baker (5-5). Both have been knocking down 3-pointers this season, with Laizure, the school’s all-time leader, also breaking the single-game mark with seven earlier this season. &nbsp;