Schlegel-Yoder combo too much in all-star game

ELIDA — Scheming out offensive plays or mapping out defensive stops aren’t usually part of most all-star games.

Such was the case at Tuesday’s 34th Annual District 8 Basketball Coaches’ Association girls all-star game at the Elida Fieldhouse.

In the first game of the evening, which featured area all stars in Divisions I, II and III, the West team jumped out to an early lead and pulled away for a convincing 79-50 victory over the East.

Wapakoneta’s Heidi Schlegel led the way for the West, pouring in 22 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Shawnee’s Samantha Robison scored 15 points, including two 3-pointers. Celina’s Cenzie Yoder scored 10 points and had a game-high 17 rebounds, while Shawnee’s Kieona Foster added 10 point.

Elida’s Chelsey Simpson led the East with 11 points, including three shots behind the 3-point line.

In the second game, which featured the Division IV all stars, the East slipped out with a hard-fought 66-60 victory over the West.

In the Division I, II and III contest, Schlegel and Yoder proved to be a lethal combination inside for the West squad. The East found it difficult to slow down the two inside players.

Schlegel said despite being rivals during the regular season, it felt comfortable teaming up with Yoder.

“Cenzie and I played together in AYBT,” Schlegel said. “It’s really fun to come out and play with her and other girls that I’ve played against.”

Schlegel’s basketball career is not over. The 6-foot-1 post player will be taking her hardwood skills to Youngstown State University next year.

“I’m very excited,” Schlegel said. “We just lost our coach. But they are rebuilding the program. Last year, I was part of something special at Wapak (Division II state runner-ups). I want to be part of something special in college, too.”

Yoder will be taking her athletic skills to the next level as well. She will be playing both basketball and volleyball at Ohio Northern University.

“It’s a lot of fun to play with girls that you play against during the year,” Yoder said. “To play with girls with the same desire to play basketball, is really fun.”

In the D-IV game, Columbus Grove’s Ashley Birchmeier led all scorers with 21 points to help lead the East to victory. Birchmeier connected four times behind the arc.

“I haven’t shot for awhile,” she said. “So I came in with the mindset to just relax and have fun.”

St. Henry’s Heather Rammel led the West with 15 points and six rebounds. Kenzie Bruggeman, who teamed up with Rammel at St. Henry, chipped in 12 points in Tuesday’s loss.

In the Div. I/II/III game, Liberty-Benton’s Nate Irwin coached the East, while Fort Recovery’s Doug Bihn coached the victorious West squad.

In the nightcap, Pandora-Gilboa’s Ken Brooks and Upper Scioto Valley’s Mike Risner teamed up to coach the East. Delphos St. John’s Dan Grothouse and Fort Jennings’ Matt Meyerholtz teamed up to spearhead the West.

Tonight, the boys will take to the court for the 36th annual District 8 contest.