The girls and boys soccer teams both won Division II state titles just two weeks ago. The girls volleyball team again went deep into the postseason. The football team will play in a Division IV state semifinal today. All that has delayed the preseason for the Knights’ winter sports teams, including girls basketball.
“It’s going to be slow at first and we recognize that,” Hart said. “We’re going to have to be patient as coaches and our players are going to have to be patient and build throughout December and hope we get better.”
It doesn’t get much better than the Knights. Over the last three seasons Alter is 87-3, a two-time defending D-II state champ and has played in three consecutive state title games.
And there’s more: returning for the Knights are four-year starters Braxtin Miller (17.0 points per game) and Libby Bazelak (14.6). Olivia Gillis (5.1) will be a two-year starter and has been a key player for the Knights since her freshman season, too.
Miller (Oklahoma State University) and Bazelak (Duquesne) each signed letters of intent earlier this month. That nucleus of experience helps ease the lack of preseason preparation.
“They’ve played (basketball) together since growing up, so they’ve played together for forever,” said Hart, who again will share head coaching duties with Kendal Peck. “That makes it a little easier for us.”
Alter, 28-2 last season, will be a heavy favorite to win yet another state title. Miller, a 6-foot guard, had a breakout performance in the two-game final four sweep, earning MVP honors.
“We’re blessed and I say that all the time,” Hart said. “We kind of take that for granted how successful all of our sports are. The expectations from our community are outrageous and somehow our coaches and players step up and meet those expectations time after time. I don’t know how they do it, but they do.”
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Alter opens the season by hosting Cincinnati Mother of Mercy at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Knights also will make the girls Flyin’ to the Hoop debut. Alter will play Cleveland St. Joseph Academy in one of 20 games at Fairmont’s Trent Arena during the Jan. 13-16 Martin Luther King holiday weekend annual event.
Bellbrook (26-1) has most of its lineup returning with the exception of center Gabby Ozoude. The 6-2 grad played basketball just her senior season and powered the Golden Eagles to a perfect season until a D-II regional semifinal matchup vs. Alter. Ozoude signed with Rice.
Kenton Ridge (19-7) should reign in the Central Buckeye Conference now that Tippecanoe (22-6) has joined the Greater Western Ohio Conference. Back for what should be an outstanding senior season at Kenton Ridge is four-year starter Jamari McDavid, a 5-10 middle enforcer who was among the area’s top scorers (23.4).
Division I: Featuring a starting lineup of sophomores and freshmen, Wayne (25-2) was the surprise of last season, rivaling its boys success for notoriety. Best of the talented Warriors are 6-2 junior Shaquille McGruder (15.3) and 5-8 sophomore Destiny Bohanon (14.2).
Sidney (24-1) is coming off its best season in program history but must find a supporting cast to build around emerging 6-2 senior center Celena Taborn (14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds). The Yellow Jackets are 46-3 over the last two seasons.
Springboro (23-4) took out Sidney in the playoffs last season, but will be without high-scoring and graduated Kelly Wurth (19.3) for the first time in four seasons.
Tecumseh (22-4) won the CBC Kenton Trace Division but must replace grads Lindsey Nartker (20.3) and Danielle Franklin (12.5). Sophomores Corinne Thomas (15.1) and Presley Griffitts (12.5) are proven scorers.
Beavercreek coach Ed Zink remains the dean of area girls and boys coaches. The Beavers’ only head coach in program history, he’s in his 42nd season and remains Ohio’s all-time girls wins leader (732). Beavercreek was 18-7 last season.
Division III: West Liberty-Salem (20-4) and Greeneview (19-6) emerged from the Ohio Heritage Conference to make deep postseason runs. WL-Salem will be without 6-3 graduate Jamie Peterson (15 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks). She signed to play volleyball at Dayton.
Anna (21-4) placed runner-up to Fort Loramie in the Shelby County League last season.
Division IV: Another SCL power, Jackson Center (21-8), upset Tri-Village (22-4) in a district final and advanced to the state semifinals. Loramie (22-5) and Miami Valley (23-4), which features high-scoring Tia Karras (15.1), also should contend for conference and postseason titles.
Tri-Village has proven scoring in 5-10 senior Allie Downing (19.5).
• Most area girls teams open their seasons this weekend.
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