Sidney High School head girls basketball coach Megan Mummey said she and her Lady Jackets have set the bar high this season as they head into the opening weekend.
It’s easy to see why Mummey feels that way. The Lady Jackets won 22 games last season and have six players returning, including the ones that topped the statistical columns. And even though it was a 22-win season, a lot of unfinished business was left out there after they lost in the second round of postseason play.
“We’re excited and confident about opening weekend,” said Mummey. “Preseason went well for us. We scrimmaged some good competition in Springboro, Fort Loramie and Wapakoneta. Springboro was No. 1 in the state at one point last season, and Fort Loramie is the defending (Division 4) state champs. And Wapak always gives us a good matchup.”
The Lady Jackets were supposed to open Friday night at home against Russia, but the schools decided to play this year’s game at Russia and have the Lady Raiders return the favor next season. It was all because of a high school football playoff game scheduled for Sidney Memorial Stadium Friday night.
In Russia, the Lady Jackets face a tradition-rich program that is wondering where the players went. The Lady Raiders won 18 games last season, and very nearly derailed Fort Loramie’s march to the state championship last season in the regional, losing just 39-35.
But when practice began this season, head coach Tim Hatcher had just nine players in the entire program. Two of them are returning letter-winners in Maria Herron and Tiffany Hatcher, the coach’s daughter. So the Lady Raiders will be playing a lot of youngsters.
Sidney, on the other hand, is loaded with experience, led by returning Greater Western Ohio Conference North Athlete of the Year Sylvia Hudson, who averaged 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season.
She is 5-foot-10, and looks up at a couple of teammates in Celena Taborn and Jada Rowland. Taborn is 6-3 and averaged a double-double last year of 17.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game last year. Rowland is 6-1 and counted on for outside shooting.
And back at the point is Kaitlyn Davis, a 5-9 senior who averaged 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season.
“I think the girls understand what is expected of them,” said Mummey. “With six returning varsity players, stakes are high to have an outstanding record again. However, the girls know we have some tough competition on our schedule.”
• Defending champion Fort Loramie is also looking to have another outstanding season, and has a great player to start with in Jessica Boerger, who was the County Player of the Year last season.
A lot was lost from a year ago, but the Lady Redskins should just reload again because also back along with Boerger is Holly Frey, who was outstanding in the state tournament
They will open with a tough opponent Saturday night at home in the Tipp City Lady Red Devils. Tipp was 27-1 last season, with the only loss coming in the regional championship.
Every player on that team with the exception of one is returning this season. But that “one” was a good one in Haley Printz, who is now playing Division 1 college ball at Toledo.
However, the Lady Red Devils return Carly Clodfelter, who averaged 15.5 points per game, and Aubry Cox, who was at 12.8 points and 6.8 rebounds.
• The remainder of the schedule on Friday has Houston at home against Covington, Lehman hosting Xenia Christian, Minster traveling to Kalida, New Bremen hosting Indian Lake and Versailles competing in the Greenville Shootout both Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday, Sidney and Lehman do battle at Lehman, Anna opens its season at New Bremen, Botkins opens at Parkway, Fairlawn opens at Covington, Russia is back in action at home against Bradford, and Riverside hosts Northeastern.
“Covington and Newton are both coming off pretty good seasons and have some talented players returning,” said Houston’s new head girls coach Brad Allen of this weekend’s games. “So we have to be ready for both.”
Allen said he put in a lot of new things when he took over.
“The preseason has been a learning season for our girls,” he said. “We put in a new offense, a new defensive scheme, and we’re looking to transition more. And I’ve been impressed with my players learning this in a short amount of time. We still have a lot to learn but we are making progress.
“Opening weekend is always an exciting time,” he added. “We’re anxious to start and get the season going.”
