Correspondent file photograph / Lowell Spencer. Crestview's Addison Rhodes handles the ball in opposition to Champion throughout a Jan. 29 recreation
In sports activities, it’s usually advised that it’s tougher to remain on the prime than to get to the highest.
A yr in the past, the Crestview women basketball staff put collectively a memorable season that culminated in a 21-Three file and a Mahoning Valley Athletic Convention (Gray Tier) championship. The Rebels achieved the feat with a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores.
However may the Rebels double the feat in 2023-24?
On paper, the reply appeared to be a powerful sure. The Rebels have returned their total roster from a yr in the past and added some proficient new faces to the combo.
Nonetheless, Rebels coach Aaron Blatch knew his staff can be the hunters moderately than the hunters this yr. He wouldn't sneak up on his opponents this time. There have been additionally accidents to key gamers, which typically modified the look of the staff.
Crestview opened its season by defeating Springfield, 54-52.
“We knew we had an opportunity to be actually good, we returned a variety of actually proficient gamers,” Blatch stated. “However we additionally began a freshman guard (Bri DiCross) and we knew it would take some time for every little thing to gel.
“In our opener, I assumed we have been horrible. We seemed very nervous. I had youngsters beginning their first faculty. We had youngsters taking part in completely different roles than final yr. It wasn't an encouraging look, however from that second on, our management and our effort was off the charts.”
In actual fact, Crestview would go on a 22-game profitable streak, changing into the primary staff in class historical past to file an undefeated common season.
The Rebels (22-Zero) closed out their common season on Feb. 5 with a 64-33 victory over LaBrae, securing their second straight league title. They are going to start their match journey subsequent Wednesday with a house recreation in opposition to Andrews Osborne Academy.
The Rebels received in spectacular trend. Their two-point win over Springfield and an eight-point win at Champion have been the one single-digit wins of the yr. Crestview has outscored opponents this yr by a median margin of 34.7 factors per recreation.
“We now have a large number of women who maintain themselves and their teammates to a really excessive customary.” Blatch stated. “Our women come to follow on daily basis with the intention of getting higher. We hardly ever have a nasty follow.
“All of the issues the coaches preach, like staying centered, not trying previous the following opponent, staying within the second — these are issues we hardly ever have to speak about with this group. They perceive what it takes to compete for league and district titles. They take duty for doing the job with out having to be instructed the way to do it.”
As they have been a yr in the past, the Rebels are led by sophomore Addison Rhodes. A second-team All-Ohio choice final yr, Rhodes is averaging 20.Four factors, eight.Four rebounds, Four assists and three.6 steals per recreation.
“Addison is a particular child, he's an amazing competitor and our vocal chief,” Blatch stated. “So far as I'm involved, she's the perfect participant within the space. Individuals see her expertise on the ground, however past that her basketball IQ and work ethic are particular. She by no means performs video games, not even in coaching.”
Blatch refers to junior Luvrain Gaskins (16.1 ppg, 14 rpg) as “a wrecking ball, a humble chief and the perfect put up participant in our space.” Blatch believes that, like Rhodes, Gaskins is destined to earn a monitor and subject scholarship.
Gaskins just lately broke a faculty file with 13 blocked pictures. Her season whole of 90 blocks is simply 9 shy of the college file (99) she set two years in the past.
Emily Downey, the lone debutant, will earn her fourth letter this yr. Blatch famous that Downey was additionally a member of the Rebels' undefeated volleyball staff.
“That is most likely essentially the most selfless staff we've ever had right here, and that selflessness comes from Emily.” Blatch stated. “She's most likely the quietest child we have now, however she's a competitor. He may be part of any staff and enhance immediately. She is going to guard the perfect participant. She is going to knock down key pictures. She is going to deal with the ball. You simply win video games along with her presence.”
Blatch says DiCross (5-Four assists per recreation) “does an amazing job dealing with the ball, particularly for a freshman.” Myer Miller (5.2 ppg) “he stepped right into a a lot larger function this yr and knocked down some large pictures.”
Nonetheless, Crestview was with out the companies of sophomore Ava Bucey, who has performed only a few minutes this yr and is out with a knee damage.
“Ava is a good participant and an excellent a part of our tradition and who we’re,” Blatch stated. “He’s a frontrunner who at all times does issues the correct manner.”
Lexi Blower, whom Blatch describes as “a powerful bodily presence at each ends of the pitch” he just lately returned from an damage.
With an ideal common season within the books, Crestview now seems to the match and has its sights set on the Division III Lakeview District. The Rebels fell in a district title recreation final yr.
“I really feel like we have now the expertise and particularly the mentality to make a pleasant run.” Downey stated. “We fell brief final yr and that basically impressed us to push more durable this yr. The entire staff was very centered even earlier than the beginning of the season.
“In December we needed to combat exhausting to beat an excellent Champion staff. It looks like since that recreation I've had one other stage of confidence. We follow so much as a result of we all know we have now an opportunity to placed on a particular match.”
Rhodes believes staff chemistry is the important thing to the Rebels' success.
“We're all very shut, we have now a variety of enjoyable on and off the pitch,” Rhodes stated. “I believe being shut associates is why we work so nicely collectively in follow and in video games.”
Whereas Blatch acknowledges 16-day layoff between the top of the common season and the beginning of the match “not ultimate” he’s fast to level out that his staff can be able to face the challenges forward.
“We've had six practices since our final recreation they usually've all been high quality practices.” Blatch stated. “We're going to play one recreation and we have now another junior varsity recreation, so our women keep in state. They’ve enjoyable, however on the similar time they keep very centered.”
And with only one senior on the roster, the longer term seems brilliant for the Rebels program. Along with success at the highschool stage, Crestview's seventh and eighth grade groups each posted undefeated seasons this winter.
“We’re very lucky to have some very proficient gamers and their households invested in our program.” Blatch stated. “Mix that with some actually devoted coaches at each stage and I'm blessed to be surrounded by some nice individuals.”
The Rebels' opening spherical recreation is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Crestview Excessive College.