The big story this winter season was the surge that saw the Norwayne girls basketball team record so many program firsts.
From their first regional title, first win at state, their first state finals appearance and for it all, they headlined this year’s All-Ohio release by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.
Div. IV All-Ohio
Helping to set the pace for the 13-12 West Holmes Knights this past season was Aveona Yoder as she earned Second-Team All-Ohio. Joining her as an All-Ohioan was teammate Briar Cline, who was selected to the Special Mention list.
Div. V All-Ohio
She led the area in assists with 5.5 per game, was the team’s catalyst offensively and helped set the tone on defense. Making it simple, Ava Maibach, a junior, was a huge part of it all for the Bobcats, and she earned First-Team All-Ohio for it. She wasn’t alone as Tuslaw senior Breanna McCabe also earned First-Team All-Ohio after a great senior year.
Joining Maibach was freshman Hannah Froelich, who earned Special Mention with a huge campaign on the blocks and junior Allie DeMassimo, who was selected Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a shooting threat and a defensive leader.
With Froelich on Special Mention was Chippewa junior Aira Regan while Tuslaw seniors Destiny Dulkoski and Malia Mizeres, and Chipp standout senior Elena Moyer all joined DeMassimo as Honorable Mention All-Ohio.
Div. VI All-Ohio
Senior Madi Singer’s story is one of overcoming different hurdles and still finding a way to have fun and excel on the hardwood. She did a lot of that to help Smithville to its second Wayne County Athletic League title in three years, and it wasn’t easy as evidenced by the league having four teams in district finals and three in regionals. For it, Singer led the area in Div. VI as a Third-team All-Ohioan
Her fellow classmate, teammate and best friend Aly Wickens was named Special Mention.
Earning Honorable Mention All-Ohio were Waynedale’s Kylie Geiser, Smithville’s Leah Keib, Dalton’s Grace Dorffer and Loudonville’s Alesha Felix.
Div. VII All-Ohio
Continuing a glowing tradition that is Hiland and still the area’s premier basketball program, they reaped the rewards of yet another great season. Leading the way, Ashland University bound Joplin Yoder was named First-Team All-Ohio.
Yoder’s teammate and one of the leaders in the backcourt, Macy Mullet, earned Special Mention.
Hiland’s Ellie Habeger and Trish Troyer, and Central Christian’s Maclaren Fry were all selected Honorable Mention All-Ohio.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Norwayne’s run to the state finals earns them three All-Ohioans
