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SNS sports mobileGirls Basketball Preview: OHC title up for grabs
Every game will be a challenge for conference member teams hoping for championship season.
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SPRINGFIELD — Only three teams have ever won the Ohio Heritage Conference girls basketball title: West Liberty-Salem, Southeastern and Greeneview.
This season, one of the other five conference members will look to crack that group.
Triad, Northeastern, Catholic Central and Greeneview all return strong squads, while West Liberty-Salem and Southeastern — which finished 1-2 last fall — each suffered losses to graduation.
“It’s about as wide open as it’s ever been since I’ve been coaching in the league,” said West Liberty-Salem coach Dennis McIntosh.
McIntosh knows a thing or two about winning the league title. His teams have won or shared six straight titles.
“You’ve got to win your home games,” McIntosh said. “You’ve got to have some breaks. For us, we’ve got to stay healthy and stay out of foul trouble. You’ve also got to get some breaks on the road.”
Southeastern, which finished 20-5 last year and advanced to the D-IV regional semifinals, returns a strong group of guards, but will be looking to replace three graduated post players.
Most coaches agree the league champion could have as many as two or three losses and that every game will be a challenge.
“You’ve got to be ready to play every game,” said Southeastern coach Jim Lightle.
Here’s a look at the other conferences around the area:
Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division: Springfield will have to compete against some of the top teams in Division I in the GWOC Central.
Traditional powerhouses Beavercreek, Fairmont and Centerville will all be strong once again this winter.
Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division: It’s always a two-team race between Tippecanoe and Kenton Ridge.
The Cougars finished second last year for the first time since 2001. With a young nucleus returning from a 20-3 squad last fall, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with once again.
CBC Mad River Division: Several teams will be strong in the league this season.
Indian Lake returns a strong group from last year’s championship squad, while Graham and Greenon also will look to compete for the league title; but any team can sneak up on you on any given night.
“Night-in, night-out you’ve just got to be ready,” said Greenon coach Gary Falkenbach. “There’s not an easy game out there.”
Metro Buckeye Conference: Emmanuel Christian will compete in the MBC for the first time this season.
It’ll look to build on the success of the volleyball team, which won the school’s first league title in the fall.
Three Teams To Watch
Kenton Ridge: The Cougars return nearly its entire squad from last season which went 21-2.
Greenon: A good mix of talent should help the Knights make a run in the CBC Mad River.
Triad: Cardinals return a strong nucleus from 12-8 team last season.
Three Individuals to Watch
Saira House, Kenton Ridge: Findlay-signee is primed for a strong senior season.
Allie Turner, Greenon: Knights senior and Morehead State-signee will look to surpass 2,000-point plateau.
Jillian Adams, Northeastern: Jets senior led the OHC in scoring at 14.9 points per game last season.
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