Tecumseh (2-2, 2-0 CBC Kenton Trail) has loaded its schedule in hopes of making its first district appearance since 2016.
RELATED: Tuesday’s high school scoreboard
RELATED: Tuesday’s high school roundup
“It’s to get us ready and prepared (for the postseason),” Arrows coach Danielle Thomas said. “Our record may not be as good in the end, but we’re going to play some of the best people around. We want to get better and push ourselves.”
The Arrows will face multiple D-I opponents, including Greater Western Ohio Conference powers Beavercreek, Centerville, Northmont, Springboro and Miamisburg. They’ll also play Parkersburg (W.Va.) in the Ironton Classic on Feb. 2.
The Arrows opened their season with back-to-back losses to Lakota West and Highland, Ky. In its last two games, Tecumseh has topped the century mark, beating four-time defending CBC Mad River Division champion Benjamin Logan 102-32 and new Kenton Trail opponent 104-42.
“It’s a testament to my four seniors,” Danielle Thomas said. “They’re ready to take care of business this season. … We’ve played really hard and really together. Our ball movement has just been really strong the last few games.”
Tecumseh is led by seniors Corrine Thomas (28 points per game), Presley Griffits (19.5 ppg), Macy Berner and Mackenzie Pauley. The Arrows are gunning for a fourth straight league title.
“They’re ready to go out strong as seniors,” Tecumseh coach Danielle Thomas said. “They’re starting to fill out their roles and buying into what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to teach them new things because they’ve played for us so long this group that sometimes it gets boring. We’re trying new things this time around to keep them excited and they’re hungry.”
Corrine Thomas, who signed with West Liberty University, scored a school-record 51 points in the Arrows’ win over London.
Thomas currently ranks eighth all-time on the OHSAA’s unofficial all-time list with 291 career 3-point field goals made, including 24 through four games this season. She recently passed Greenon grad Allie Turner, who made 272 3-pointers from 2006 to 2010.
Griffits, who signed with IUPUI, is also averaging 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 5.3 steals per game.
The Arrows play just eight varsity players, including three who are also suiting up for the junior varsity.
“We’re counting quarters every night,” Danielle Thomas said.
The Arrows’ fifth starter is Mae Mastin, the first freshman to start for the Arrows since Thomas and Griffits three seasons ago. She’s averaging 5.3 assists per game.
“She’s a really good defender,” Danielle Thomas said. “She’s small, but she’s fast as lightning. Her knowledge of the game is really helping her come along. Having the seniors around her gives her an opportunity to flourish and not be the main focus.”
Up next for the Arrows are three CBC Kenton Trail games against teams with winning records — Kenton Ridge (2-1, 0-1), Shawnee (3-2, 0-1) and Jonathan Alder (4-0, 1-0).
Kenton Ridge handed the Arrows their only CBC loss a year ago. The Cougars travel to Tecumseh at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Hot starts: Cedarville (5-0, 3-0 OHC South) and Greeneview (4-0, 3-0 OHC South) are both off to hot starts early this season.
A year ago, the Greene County rivals battled for the Ohio Heritage Conference South Division title on the final day of the regular season. Greeneview won the division last season, while Cedarville won it in 2017.
The Indians earned a key OHC victory last week, beating Greenon 44-43.
The Rams have six games at home in the next three weeks, including tough games against Greenon (Dec. 15) and Legacy Christian (Dec. 17) before hosting Cedarville on Dec. 20.
Upward bound: KR's Mikala Morris has tallied 39 rebounds in the last two games, increasing her career mark to 1,311 rebounds — placing her eighth on the OHSAA's all-time list. She recently passed Tuslaw's Mayci Sales (1,272 rebounds, 2013-2017), Huron's Kristin Watt (1,276, 1977-1981) and Warren Champion (1,281, 1987-1990).
Morris is on pace to break the state record held by former WNBA player Kaayla Chones, who pulled down 1,690 rebounds for Eastlake North from 1996 through 1999.
She's a freshman: West Liberty-Salem's Emily Hollar scored a career-high 15 points as the Tigers beat Division IV powerhouse Fort Loramie in non-conference action Monday. WL-S is 3-3 this season, winning three straight after opening the season with losses Tippecanoe, Jonathan Alder and Miami East.
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