The 'best of' the girls basketball season
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This has been one girls basketball season that has seen upsets, well-played games, not-so-well played games, breakout players, schools on the verge of building a program, teams learning on the job and upsets that communities will be talking about for a long time.
Though some of the overall records aren't ones hoped for, this season was enjoyable, and as the tournament begins for all teams this upcoming week, here are some of my "Best Ofs" from the season (from games that I attended).
Best Moment: I don't recall any more pure happiness after a win than when the Lady Lions won their season-opening game against East Clinton, 49-45. They had worked all summer and preseason knowing they were going to be playing without any upperclassmen, heard grumblings they may not win a single game, but to open the season with a win … they proved a lot of people wrong.
Best Win: This has to got to the Lady Mustangs when they defeated the state-ranked and then-undefeated Georgetown Lady G-Men on a Monday night in Dodsonville, 49-45. That win had to be their signature win of the season, and since then … the Lady Mustangs haven't lost. That’s called a momentum builder.
[[In-content Ad]]Best Finish: That honor goes to the Lady Tigers when they defeated Miami Trace in overtime at 49-47. One thing stands out from this game … the clutch shooting of Sammy Rooks, who not only tied the game in regulation but sent the Lady Tigers ahead in overtime and eventually the win.
Best Finish (The Sequel): I had this column all done and finished, or so I thought, but then came Wednesday's game at MHS, when Rooks (see above) once again hit the game-winner, this time a 3-pointer against the SCOL first-place, state-ranked CM Lady Falcons. I've seen both of her game-winners this year, and the best way I can describe it is … it was like the ending to the first two "Rocky" movies … the first one was great, but the second one was even more exciting. Rooks said in a post-game interview she was nervous … she sure didn't show it in this game.
Best Performance in a Loss: I know a loss isn't always acceptable or fun, but there is still something to be said for seeing quality play, even if the scoreboard says otherwise. The game I'm feeling for this category is the game where Hillsboro lost to Washington on a Saturday afternoon at HHS. Though HHS lost 44-37, the best part about this game was HHS outscored WCH 37-33 in the final 28 minutes, after trailing 11-0 in the first 4 minutes.
Best Shoes: Since I know ladies are a fan of shoes (well, I know of one who can spend hours shopping for them, as I sit in a lobby looking up college football scores), I guess it is only right to pick out a pair that caught my attention this season. After looking through some basketball photos from this season, the winner is … a pair of yellow and black Nike shoes worn by LC's Laney Lewis.
Best Quote: I really liked this one because it was full of emotion and came from the heart: "This is an outstanding way to start the season. This is what I told the girls in the locker room after the game, 'There are people who sat in these stands that told me we wouldn't win a game all year.' I said, 'We've already accomplished that … we're ahead.'" This was from Fairfield girls basketball head coach Matt Hodson.
Best Resilience (team): The Whiteoak Lady Wildcats have been through some very tough learning curves this season. What stands out to me is they never quit, and when they could have just packed up the regular season with one win … they didn't, and they won their final game of the season this week. Best Resilience (player): A game a couple weeks ago sealed this vote for me. In a game against Blanchester, FHS freshman Kaitlin Evans took a beating as she was fouled in the paint, diving after loose basketballs or even battling over possession of the basketball. She's going to be a presence for the Lady Lions in the years to come.
Best Motivator: Every game I watch, HHS head coach JR Moberly is pumping up his team, and it is easy to see that the players are responding to his gospel. I like how he keeps his team's head up no matter the score, and this rebuilding project he and his coaching staff are currently constructing at HHS will pay off in the long run. He even motivates me into thinking I can possibly make a free throw one day.
Best Player: This one is ending in a tie because well, it is my list, and I can't pick just one player. I'm going with seniors Brooke Hertlein (LC) and Sammy Rooks (MHS). Without these players on their respective team, I just don't see the teams having the success they've had this season. I've watched both players lead their team in scoring on numerous occasions, along with hitting big-time shots when needed. Their coaches speak highly of them, and they are great leaders when they are on the court.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.
Though some of the overall records aren't ones hoped for, this season was enjoyable, and as the tournament begins for all teams this upcoming week, here are some of my "Best Ofs" from the season (from games that I attended).
Best Moment: I don't recall any more pure happiness after a win than when the Lady Lions won their season-opening game against East Clinton, 49-45. They had worked all summer and preseason knowing they were going to be playing without any upperclassmen, heard grumblings they may not win a single game, but to open the season with a win … they proved a lot of people wrong.
Best Win: This has to got to the Lady Mustangs when they defeated the state-ranked and then-undefeated Georgetown Lady G-Men on a Monday night in Dodsonville, 49-45. That win had to be their signature win of the season, and since then … the Lady Mustangs haven't lost. That’s called a momentum builder.
[[In-content Ad]]Best Finish: That honor goes to the Lady Tigers when they defeated Miami Trace in overtime at 49-47. One thing stands out from this game … the clutch shooting of Sammy Rooks, who not only tied the game in regulation but sent the Lady Tigers ahead in overtime and eventually the win.
Best Finish (The Sequel): I had this column all done and finished, or so I thought, but then came Wednesday's game at MHS, when Rooks (see above) once again hit the game-winner, this time a 3-pointer against the SCOL first-place, state-ranked CM Lady Falcons. I've seen both of her game-winners this year, and the best way I can describe it is … it was like the ending to the first two "Rocky" movies … the first one was great, but the second one was even more exciting. Rooks said in a post-game interview she was nervous … she sure didn't show it in this game.
Best Performance in a Loss: I know a loss isn't always acceptable or fun, but there is still something to be said for seeing quality play, even if the scoreboard says otherwise. The game I'm feeling for this category is the game where Hillsboro lost to Washington on a Saturday afternoon at HHS. Though HHS lost 44-37, the best part about this game was HHS outscored WCH 37-33 in the final 28 minutes, after trailing 11-0 in the first 4 minutes.
Best Shoes: Since I know ladies are a fan of shoes (well, I know of one who can spend hours shopping for them, as I sit in a lobby looking up college football scores), I guess it is only right to pick out a pair that caught my attention this season. After looking through some basketball photos from this season, the winner is … a pair of yellow and black Nike shoes worn by LC's Laney Lewis.
Best Quote: I really liked this one because it was full of emotion and came from the heart: "This is an outstanding way to start the season. This is what I told the girls in the locker room after the game, 'There are people who sat in these stands that told me we wouldn't win a game all year.' I said, 'We've already accomplished that … we're ahead.'" This was from Fairfield girls basketball head coach Matt Hodson.
Best Resilience (team): The Whiteoak Lady Wildcats have been through some very tough learning curves this season. What stands out to me is they never quit, and when they could have just packed up the regular season with one win … they didn't, and they won their final game of the season this week. Best Resilience (player): A game a couple weeks ago sealed this vote for me. In a game against Blanchester, FHS freshman Kaitlin Evans took a beating as she was fouled in the paint, diving after loose basketballs or even battling over possession of the basketball. She's going to be a presence for the Lady Lions in the years to come.
Best Motivator: Every game I watch, HHS head coach JR Moberly is pumping up his team, and it is easy to see that the players are responding to his gospel. I like how he keeps his team's head up no matter the score, and this rebuilding project he and his coaching staff are currently constructing at HHS will pay off in the long run. He even motivates me into thinking I can possibly make a free throw one day.
Best Player: This one is ending in a tie because well, it is my list, and I can't pick just one player. I'm going with seniors Brooke Hertlein (LC) and Sammy Rooks (MHS). Without these players on their respective team, I just don't see the teams having the success they've had this season. I've watched both players lead their team in scoring on numerous occasions, along with hitting big-time shots when needed. Their coaches speak highly of them, and they are great leaders when they are on the court.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.