Perry Tyanah Gordon (11) and Mi’auni Hall pressure Waynesfield-Goshen’s Kapri Wilson during a January game at Waynesfield-Goshen. Gordon and all-Northwest Central Conference second team selection Hall return this season.
Don Speck | The Lima News
Here are previews of Lima area girls basketball teams in the Northwest Central Conference.
Hardin Northern
Division: IV
Coach: Brady Mast (11th season; also head coach 2000-04)
2021-22 overall record: 5-16
2021-22 conference record 1-5 (sixth)
2022 postseason finish: Lost 54-20 to New Knoxville in sectional finals
Returning 2021-22 varsity letter winners: Isabella Wilson (Sr.), Katherine Good (Sr.), Emma Martin (Sr.), Kylee Legge (Sr.), Kylee Clem (Jr.), Makenna Eibling (Jr.), Heidi Trachsel (Soph.)
Others on varsity roster: Alaina Thomas (Fr.), Emmah Boose (Jr.), Jenna Legge (Jr.)
Coach’s analysis: We have a talented group of seniors in Katie, Bella, Emma and Kylee Legge who have gained a lot of varsity experience the last three years. They will be expected to take a leadership role this year and I believe they will be very good in this role. Lainey Thomas will complement this group well and I think will compete for a starting spot as a freshman. We should be much more balanced with contributions coming from all of the returning letter winners including Kylee Clem, Makenna Ebling and Heidi Trachsel. This should give us some depth and allow us to pressure more than we have in the past. I think our biggest concern now is on the defensive end. We have to find a way to stop people and put some pressure on our opponents. We have the potential to be an improved defensive team but are still learning how to play as a group. I think once we find our comfort zone we will be an improved defensive team but that is going to take a group effort from all players. We will work hard and I see us improving as the season progresses. We expect to be competitive but will need several players to step up and lead the way. I believe we have a strong pair of seniors who will drive the outcome of this season. We should be more balanced offensively and if we work hard on the defensive end, we will compete each night.
Perry
Division: IV
Coach: John Berens (fifth season)
2021-22 overall record: 4-19
2021-22 conference record 2-4 (fifth)
2022 postseason finish: Lost 72-9 to Liberty-Benton in sectional semifinals
Returning 2021-22 varsity letter winners: Bryce James (Sr.), Rhema Pernell (Sr.), Danaisha Patton (Jr.), Mi’auni Hall (Jr.), Carlee Dalton (Jr.), Tyanah Gordon (Jr.), Mary Hoersten (Jr.), Lexenna Lee (Jr.), Alana Pernell (Sr.)
Others on varsity roster: Zy’asija Scott (Soph.), Khaliah Luster (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: The 2022-23 edition of the Perry girls basketball team will be full of experienced players. The team returns nine letter winners and all five starters from last year’s club. Led by seniors Bryce James, Rhema Pernell and Dana Patton, the team looks to be a very strong contender in the NWCC.
Ridgemont
Division: IV
Coach: Tim Weyant (eighth season)
2021-22 overall record: 5-18
2021-22 conference record 3-3 (fourth)
2022 postseason finish: Lost 61-9 to Minster in sectional semifinals
Returning 2021-22 varsity letter winners: Charlie Chronister (Sr.), Jayda Dondrea (Jr.), Lauren Wingfield (Soph.), Kylie Shreve (Soph.)
Others on varsity roster: Laney Elsasser (Fr.), Ruth Eckstein (Fr.), Breann Vermillion (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: Losing eight players from 2021-22, we only have seven for 2022-23 season, so our main goal is to stay healthy and play all 22 games this season.
Upper Scioto Valley
Division: IV
Coach: Travis Donley (sixth season)
2021-22 overall record: 1-22
2021-22 conference record 0-6 (seventh)
2022 postseason finish: Lost 63-18 to New Knoxville in sectional finals
Returning 2021-22 varsity letter winners: Kennedy Hall (Sr.), Nevaeh Lowery (Jr.), Patiance Cole (Jr.), Amelia Hurley (Jr.), Shalyn Lawrence (Soph.), Sydney Christensen (Soph.)
Others on varsity roster: Brielle Cotterman (Jr.), Jesenia Hernandez (Soph.), Ivie Gonzalez (Fr.), Sophia Hurley (Fr.)
Coach’s analysis: We are bigger, stronger, and have more numbers than the last few years. We will look to be competitive and our goal is to win the NWCC.
Waynesfield-Goshen
Division: IV
Coach: Jocelyn Hennon (fourth season)
2021-22 overall record: 9-14
2021-22 conference record 5-1 (second)
2022 postseason finish: Lost 60-21 to Fort Recovery in sectional semifinals
Returning 2021-22 varsity letter winners: Zaria DeLeon (Sr.), Taylor Spencer (Sr.), Raegan Hutchison (Soph.)
Others on varsity roster: Kennedy Bigelow (Sr.), Kyra Sutherland (Sr.), Peyton Webb (Sr.), Cassidy Bigelow (Jr.), Gracy Zechman (Jr.), Tatelyn Faraglia (Soph.)
Coach’s analysis: We have a determined and hard working group of young ladies this year. We are returning three varsity letter winners and two of those are returning varsity starters. We have 13 ladies in our program this year, and they are looking to build on what they accomplished last season. Our team goals this season are to finish at the top of the NWCC, play selfless team basketball and build on our teammates’ strengths. It is a joy watching these ladies grow, develop and make each other better. We are excited to see them work toward their goals, encourage their teammates and improve as a team this season.
Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
