Second a year ago at state, Carroll ready for another D-II title pursuit
With four starters back, Patriots clearly rank among area’s elite.
First Chaminade Julienne, then Alter and now Carroll. The road to a girls high school state basketball championship has often run through these three Greater Catholic League Co-Ed programs.
“It’s been exciting and thrilling to see the girls develop a nd see them working hard and see some payoff from the hard work they’re putting in,” said Carroll coach Cecilia Grosselin, who guided the Patriots to a Division II state runner-up last season. “We’re looking forward to hopefully having another good season and another good run.”
The girls basketball season began Friday night. The boys season starts next Friday.
Carroll (27-3) lost one starter from last season, grad Elisabeth Bush (13.8 points). Back are 6-foot-1 senior center Julia Keller (13.0 points, 6.9 rebounds),
senior guard Allie Stefanek (8.1 points), junior forward Megan Leraas (7.1 points) and junior guard Ava Lickliter (5.0 points).
Patriots sophomore guard Sarah Ochs (4.4 points), last season’s invaluable sixth man, inherited Bush’s spot. “She’s coming back with experience and she’s having no trouble stepping into that starting role,” assured Grosselin.
Also back for the Patriots as an assistant coach is former standout Kelley Austria. She also led Carroll to a D-II state runner-up in 2011, followed with a celebrated fouryear career at the University of Dayton and played the last two seasons in Europe.
Unlike last season when Carroll gradually worked its way among the state’s best, the Patriots will be heavily favored to repeat or surpass that success.
“We’re really fortunate to have a great group of girls back,” Grosselin said. “We want to stay humble. We’re just going to work hard and try to keep everyone injury free.”
Carroll opens at Cincinnati Purcell Marian on Tuesday.
Here are some other things to know about area girls basketball:
■ Carroll will play neighboring rival Beavercreek (1510) in the 18th annual Premier Health Flyin’ to the Hoop at Fairmont’s Trent Arena. That will be the first game on Saturday, Jan. 18 during the four-day event that runs from Jan. 17-20.
■ Minster (28-1) is looking for its third straight D-IV state title. Wildcats junior Ivy Wolf (15.8 points) was first team All-Ohio last season. Minster defeated Ottoville 53-37 in the championship last season.
■ Tim Gabbard is in his 40th season as Waynesville’s coach and is coming off his best. The Spartans, led by program record-setters Rachel Murray and Marcella Sizer — both since graduated — lost 51-47 to unbeaten Columbus Africentric in last season’s D-III state championship. That was Waynesville’s (27-1) only loss.
■ Centerville (25-3) was the area’s best D-I team last season and returns two key reasons: 6-foot sophomore center Cotie McMahon (15.8, 9.2) and junior guard Amy Velasco (13.6, 4.4). Velasco is a Bowling Green commit.
■ Fairmont (16-9) will pin its hopes on 6-2 senior Maddy Westbeld (15.9, 10.4) and 6-3 senior Madison Bartley (14.0, 7.4). Westbeld signed with Notre Dame and Bartley with Belmont.
■ Wayne (17-5) will rely on returning starters Nyla Hampton, a senior (10.2 points), and junior Bree Hall (13.9, 5.7). Hampton signed with Bowling Green. Uncommitted, Hall has offers from multiple schools, including Dayton and Ohio State.
■ Teams are reminded to email results to sports@coxohio.com as soon as possible after games.