Girls basketball season is ready to tip-off

We preview the upcoming season, including team rosters and players and games to watch. North Ridgeville’s Izzy Geraci, right, averaged 18.1 points per game last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F, Gina Adams, So., Westlake: The Westlake standout looks to build on her breakout year that saw her average 14.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. F, Vanecia Billings, Jr., Clearview: The junior paced the Clippers last year, averaging a double-double at 14.9 points and 10 rebounds per game. F, Maddie Edgerly, Jr., Bay: One of the top shooters in the area, Edgerly will look to build on her 46-percent field goal average. G, Izzy Geraci, Sr., North Ridgeville: The Cleveland State signee should push for the area’s scoring title this year, building on her 18.1 average from last year. G, Michaela Harrison, Sr., Lake Ridge: A Mount St. Mary’s signee, Harrison will continue to cement her status as the area’s top small-school point guard. F, Rayiah Johnson, So., Lutheran West: The sophomore should see her already stellar numbers (10.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 spg,

3.6 apg) rapidly increased in an expanded roll. G, Clare Kelly, Jr., Olmsted Falls: The Bulldogs’ sharpshooter averaged 19 points per game last year and should be in the running for both the SWC and Morning Journal area scoring titles. F, Alexis Lehmkuhl, Jr.,

Wellington: One of the top rebounders in the Patriot Athletic Conference, Lehmkuhl flirted with a doubledouble average last year (10.8 points, nine rebounds per game) and should average that this year. G, Juliann Walker, Sr., Avon: A player with great instincts. Walker should see even greater success this year with an expanded roll. G, Emily Werley, Jr., Open Door: Werley set a school record for steals, averaging seven per game last year. If her shot continues to develop, she could be one of the most well-rounded players in the area.

GAMES TO WATCH

Bay at Avon, Nov. 24, 2:30 p.m.: Two teams with conference and tournament aspirations start the season out with a marquee game. Lutheran West at Lake Ridge, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.: Two of the area’s top small-school teams get their seasons going quickly in what should be a hardfought contest.

Olmsted Falls at Avon, Dec. 9, 1:45 p.m. :Arematch of last year’s Division I Elyria District final that will also have major Southwestern Conference implications. Amherst at North Ridgeville, Dec. 13, 7:15 p.m.: A team that some are thinking will take a step in Amherst takes on a team that some believe will take a step forward in North Ridgeville. Both have a lot to prove in this one. Olmsted Falls at Westlake, Jan. 27, 1:45 p.m.: The Bulldogs ousted the No. 2 seeded Demons on Westlake’s own court in a sectional final. The Demons are going to remember. Lutheran West at Wellington, Feb. 3, 2:30 p.m.: An inter-divisional Patriot Athletic Conference showdown between two teams that will be pushing for their respective division titles.

Bay at Elyria Catholic, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.: The Great Lakes Conference title will most likely be on the line in this late season matchup.

MORNING JOURNAL FILE Izzy Geraci of North Ridgeville, shown against Olmsted Falls last season, averaged 18.1 points per game in 2016-17 and his headed to Cleveland State next year.