PLAYERS TO WATCH
Here are the area’s top returning girls high school basketball players and other subjects to know.
Ise Bolender, 6-0, sr., Cedarville: An outstanding inside presence for the Indians. Surpassed 1,000 career points last season, becoming the fifth player in program history to do so. Also was first team All-Southwest District. Last season averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals. That added up to an outright Ohio Heritage Conference South title for Cedarville, the first since 1978.
Presley Griffitts, 5-10, jr., Tecumseh: An outstanding talent, averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 rebounds and led the Central Buckeye Conference in assists (7.5). A ballhandling guard who works well near the basket and is a rugged defender. Committed to Bowling Green.
Tatem McBride, 5-5, sr., Newton: A dynamic and highscoring playmaker (19.9 points) for the Indians. Holds most significant single and career program records, including total points (1,109) and assists (256). Standout on Dayton Lady HoopStars Premier team.
Shai McGruder, 6-2, sr., Wayne: Another outstanding offensive talent who’s best in transition. Averaged 11.7 points and 7 rebounds last season and will be a four-year starter. Second team All-Ohio as a junior. Signed with New Mexico of the Mountain West Conference.
Corinne Thomas, 5-8, jr., Tecumseh: The second part of the Arrows’ high-scoring duo. The daughter of coach Danielle Thomas averaged 25.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 steals last season. Surpassed 30 points seven times last season, including a season-high 39 vs. Ben Logan.
Maddie Westbeld, 6-2, so., Fairmont: A potential dominant inside player, much like older sister and Notre Dame senior Kathryn Westbeld. Led the youthful Firebirds as a freshman, averaging 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Danielle Winner, 6-2, jr., Versailles: Another dominant inside player; All-Ohio in volleyball this past season for D-III state champ Tigers.
It’s a record: Beavercreek coach Ed Zink will build on his all-time winning state record of coaching wins. The only Beavers’ head coach in program history, Zink enters his 42nd season with a career record of 749 wins. Urbana coach Bill Moss is in his 31st season with the Hillclimbers. His career record is 402-257.
It’s about time: Basketball will join football in using a second-half running clock. Beginning this season, a running clock will be used when the point differential hits 35, but only in the second half and only for postseason games. Clock stoppage will return to normal when the margin is less than 30 points.