Northwood girls cage program continues to build depth

By: 
J. Patrick Eaken

        Northwood 5-foot-9 senior forward Ashlyn Rable is averaging a double-double — 11 points and 10 rebounds after the Rangers first two games.
        The only issue is that Northwood lost those games — to Woodmore 64-34 and to Genoa 48-26. However, the 4-1 Wildcats are looking to be contenders in the Northern Buckeye Conference this year, picked to finish second in preseason coaches’ voting and their 6-1 senior post Brooke Allen was closing in on the 1,000-point career mark last week.
        Don’t count 2-2 Genoa out of the NBC mix and on Dec. 15 the Rangers will take on NBC preseason favorite Lake (3-1), which defeated Woodmore 74-50. Challenging way for Northwood to start the season, especially when there are no Toledo Area Athletic Conference games to play.
        Throw in the fact that Northwood does not know exactly what will happen in the TAAC because the Lucas County Health Department has suspended high school athletics until Jan. 11. The Rangers will play Lakota in non-league action on Dec. 19.
        The Rangers are led by Rable, junior forward Randi Wilson, senior guard Emily Bowen, junior guard Meaih Smith and sophomore forward Zoe Turner, who is averaging seven points through the first two games.
        Because of 10 letter winners returning, Northwood coach Andrew Dickey says his team plans on “keeping things up tempo this year.” Besides his starters returning, he has plenty of others who have already contributed.
        “We’re going to do things as a team this year. The only score that will matter is the final score,” Dickey said. “We’re going to need everyone to be our top defensive player. No player is more important than the next on the defensive side.”
        Dickey has several players who have shown significant improvement since last year.
        “(Junior) Bethany Gillespie worked all spring during our virtual sessions, in the summer during our limited open gym, and in the fall was dedicated to our workouts. If we had 17 more girls like her we’d be state champions every year,” Dickey said.
        “Also junior Alyana Avalos, who came out to basketball just last season made a huge impact for us because of her athleticism. Now that she has a full year and an offseason of work in we’re hoping to see what she has. I’m also excited to see what sophomore Mikayla Hanely does this season. She filled in for an injured Rable last year as a freshman and became a valued varsity player. She is a hard worker, listens, and most importantly just plays hard. I’m hoping we see more of her talent this year too.
        “We’ve got some great freshmen this year that are incredible athletes. Nat Thompson has been exceptional all season and even during the spring and summer months. Autumn Schroeder, despite a foot injury, will be the complete package on the court when back up to pace.
        “Lexi Haas and Cassidy Genson after two years of being small forwards in junior high are set to be the one and two spot on the JV but as they learn more will see their time on the court. And then we have Bree Bolden, who much like Avalos just started playing basketball her eighth grade year but because of her size, strength, and natural athleticism we’ll see her progress quickly with more game experience.”
        Dickey sees his team improving on his team’s eight-win season last year.
        “We want to win the TAAC. There is no other spot to be in,” Dickey said. “This year is all about moving forward. If Northwood plans on becoming a serious competitor in the TAAC we have to be able to not just compete with teams like TC and Ottawa Hills. We have to be able to beat them one on one. And if you know anything about teams like Cardinal Stritch, Emmanuel Christian, and Maumee Valley, they are not just going to be pushovers.
        “We’re loaded with experience and athletes. We need to do a good job at channeling out athletes into winning games. We’re a team of athletes who play basketball. We need a team to come out and compete as a team to win.”
        There are challenges that Dickey’s team has to overcome, the coach says.
        “The injury bug hurt us last year, the number bug the year before. This year it’s been COVID restrictions,” Dickey said. “I can’t wait to see the competitiveness out of the TAAC this year. We’re going to have games featuring Division I athlete talents, teams looking to make their mark in the league, and just some awesome fast tempo fun basketball.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 

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