Southern Ohio Conference 2 (SOC 2)
The Southern Ohio Conference 2 (SOC II) is coming off a season where 2 teams made the Districts, Wheelersburg, Minford. Wheelersburg advancing to the Elite 8. The 2019-20 season is looking to be another competitive year, with Wheelersburg still looking…
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Continue ReadingThe Southern Ohio Conference 2 (SOC II) is coming off a season where 2 teams made the Districts, Wheelersburg, Minford. Wheelersburg advancing to the Elite 8. The 2019-20 season is looking to be another competitive year, with Wheelersburg still looking like the favorite, with Oak Hill right there. However Northwest, Minford and Waverly could possibly work their way into contention this season also. On paper the conference looks to be more balanced then in the previous seasons. There is a new addition to the SOC 2 conference this year as Eastern Pike moves up from SOC I division for the 2019-20 season.
Players 2 Watch: 2020’s Caitlyn Brisker (Oak Hill) and Keira Potts (Northwest), 2021’s Kaylee Darnell (Wheelersburg) and Zoiee Smith (Waverly), 2022 Alaina Keeney (Wheelersburg) and Bri Claxon (South Webster), 2023’s Alexia Deaver (Portsmouth West) and Mckenna Walker (Wheelersburg)
Wheelesburg 24-5 (SOC2 Champions/Elite 8 Finish)
Head Coach Dusty Spradlin
Players to Watch: 2021’s Kaylee Darnell and Ellie Kallner, 2022 Alaina Keeney, 2023 Mckenna Walker
The Lady Pirates had a memorable season last year advancing all the way to the Elite 8 after winning the SOC2. They are returning a lot of talent led by 2021’s Kaylee Darnell and Ellie Kallner, 2022 Allison Keeney should be a big contributor. Also 2023 Mckenna Walker will be a frosh to watch this year who could help with loss of Senior Abby Kallner. With the way ‘Burg defends and executes offensively very well and should be right back in the forefront for the title.
Oak Hill 18-6 (Sectional Champions)
Head Coach Doug Hale
Players to Watch: 2021 Caitlyn Brisker and Olivia Clarkson. 2022 Chole Chambers and Brooke Howard
The Oak Hill Lady Oaks are always a tough opponent in the SOC2, with returning PG Caitlyn Brisker, 1000 point scorer already, they will be back in the hunt. 2022 Chole Chambers is a solid inside rebounder and can score. 2021 Olivia Clarkson can score the ball and will give them a scorer to worry about. Coach Hale knows how to win games and is another reason they will be right there in the SOC2.
Minford 17-7 (Sectional Champions)
Head Coach Shane Davis
Players to Watch 2020 Hanna Tolle, 2021 Liv Shonkwiler and Madison Slusher
Minford will be coming into the new season under second year Head Coach Davis and he realizes that they have lean “three returning starters.. 2021’s Maddie Slusher Livi Shonkwiler and 2020 Hanahh Tolle and our sixth man from last year” that sixth man was 2020 McKenzie Watters, he also is expecting 2021 Allie Coriell at 6’3” to help make a difference in the middle.
Waverly 13-10
Head Coach John Bonifield
Players to Watch: 2021 Zoiee Smith Carli Knight and Paige Carter
Here is how Head Coach Bonifield sees this upcoming season “we have a good group coming back that have played one or two years of varsity basketball. That should allow us to build and add to what we do at both ends of the floor.” He also will be looking for PG Zoiee Smith to continue to be the floor leader as usual. Also will rely on both 2021’s Paige Carter and Carli Knight to help shoulder load in scoring and rebounding this year.
Valley 9-15
Head Coach Mark Merritt
Players to Watch: 2020 Bre Call and Karsyn Conaway
Valley will be looking to improve on the 2018-19 record and according to Coach Merritt “will be looking to Bre Call to be our leading scorer who Averaged 14 pts. Per game last year. We also look for Karsyn Conaway and Brooklyn Buckle to contribute in scoring also”. Also stating that Valley “will be leaning on their seniors and Nichole Gilliland and Mackenzie Wright to help out. “
Northwest 9-14
Head Coach Dave Frantz
Players to Watch: Keirah Potts, Hayden Wamsley and Val Eury
The Lady Mohawks last year had balanced scoring and return that all of that offensive balance. Coach Frantz thoughts on the 2019-20 season are “we had three girls that led us in scoring with 9+ points a game each. Keirah Potts, Haidyn Wamsley, and Val Eury. These three led us in every offensive category. Wamsley and 2022 Ava Jenkins also were our best defenders”
South Webster 9-14
Head Coach Ryan Dutiel
Players to watch 2020’s Kenzie Hornikel, Bailey Cox, 2022 Bri Claxon
South Webster returns 4 starters which according Head Coach Ryan Dutiel “improved a lot from the beginning of the season last year. We play a tough schedule by playing in the SOC 2 so we have to be ready every night”
Portsmouth West 3-20
Head Coach Megan Artrip
Players to watch. 2020 Morgan Rigsby 2022Abby Adkins 2023 Alexia Deaver & Charlie Jo Howard
Portsmouth West will start the 2019-20 season with a new Head Coach Megan Artrip, and in her words “We are very young but athletic.” Freshmen Alexia Deaver and Charlie Jo Howard can be a big part of the youth and athleticism that helps Portsmouth West improve both overall record and league record.
Eastern Pike 4-15 (2018-19 season in SOC 1)
Head Coach Travis Hale
Player to Watch: 2022 Abby Cochenour
Eastern Pike is moving up this season to SOC II, a tough transition but Coach Hale has them playing hard when I caught them this summer. They will come to compete each night and will be led by 2022 Abby Cochenour who can score the ball from all three levels.