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January 19, 2018The 15th annual Classic in the Country was held this past weekend in Berlin, Ohio. This was my first trip to CITC, but had heard many great things about the play and hospitality. The 2018 CITC lived up to the billing.
A big snowstorm on Friday caused travel woes for many as some teams couldn’t make it for their Saturday games, but the tournament staff and Ohio Girls Basketball Report handled it with class. After some minor schedule changes, the tournament was off and running. Even though the weather outside stayed cold all weekend, the action inside the Perry Reese Junior Community Center was hot. The Classic in the Country hosts many of the top Ohio teams annually which gives spectators the opportunity to get an early look at potential playoff matchups and state champions.
The CITC is held annually over MLK weekend. This is a big weekend across the country for quality high school basketball tournaments, but the CITC is the first MLK weekend tournament that I have attended to make the efforts to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on our country. Before each game everyone stood in reverence as we would listen to part of one of MLK’s speeches and reflect on how it spoke truth into our world today. These moments put into perspective that basketball brings people together of all different races and nationalities. Win or lose, the basketball community is one big family that needs to support and respect all players, coaches, referees and spectators no matter our differences because it is our differences that make all a good team.
Even though I wasn’t able to see all the teams play because of travel difficulties, of the teams I saw the following stood:
Ketterington Fairmont High School
Coach Drake has a nice inside-out tandem with 2020 Madeline Westbeld providing the outside scoring and 2020 Madison Bartley taking care of the lane. The role players and bench are solid. Watch for 2020 Makira Webster to have a break out year.
Minster High School
Coach Wiss has shooters across the board on the Minister High School roster. The Wolf sisters, 2021 Ivy and 2019 Demaris, lead the way on the perimeter while 2018 Xavier signee Taylor Kogge and 2018 Courtney Prenger provide interior scoring.
Gilmour Academy
2018 Michigan signee Naz Hillmon leads a talented Gilmour Academy. West Point signee Sarah Bohn runs the show while 2020 Maddie Puletti and 2019 Annika Corcoran are both quality shooters.
Notre Dame Academy
Coach Galloway has an athletic group who pressures the ball and wants to play fast. 2019 Jala Johnson leads the show for Notre Dame Academy while 2018 Toledo signee Ariel Cummings holds down the middle.
Mason High School
When you mention Mason High School, Florida State commit Sammi Puisis comes to mind immediately, but when you get to watch them play you realize Mason has many different weapons. 2019 Sade Tucker runs the show, 2020 Alanna Carter is a lefty who attacks the basket, and 2020 Megan Wagner can shoot it. It must be said.. 2018 Tihanna Fulton is a steal for Florida Southern.
Mount Notre Dame High School
Coach Scott Rogers has a disciplined bunch led by 2018 Florida Atlantic signee Abby Voss and 2019 Loyola-Chicago commit Julia Hoefling plus some promising prospects in 2020 Makira Cook and 2021 Laila Phelia.
Solon High School
2018 Florida State signee and McDonald’s All-American Selection Valencia Myers and 2018 Kent State signee Mariah Modkins lead a young Solon High School team. 2021 Hailey Weaver shows a lot of promise.
Regis Jesuit High School
Regis Jesuit was the one team from outside of Ohio at the event and they brought 2019 Francessca Belibi to Amish country. One of the highlights for the tournament was her dunking in warm-ups and referees not knowing what to do. 2018 Penn signee Noelle Cahill is going to be solid at the next level while 2020 Jada Moore and 2021 Avery Van Sickle continue to develop every time I see them.
Berlin Hiland High School
Coach Schlabach has a solid group who competes and can shot it. This young team looks to make another deep run in the playoffs. 2021 Kelsey Swihart is one to keep an eye on.
Newark High School
2019 Kent State commit Katie Shumate and 2019 Miami-Ohio commit Morgan Sharps lead a scrappy Newark team. Watch for 2020 Gabby Stare and 2021 Emma Shumate to have a break out year.
Huber Heights Wayne High School
Coach Trice has some promising perimeter talent in 2019 Dayton commit Destiny Bohanon, 2019 Olivia Trice, 2020 Nyla Hampton, and 2021 Bree Hall. The key will be health and how they will defend the interior.
Westerville South High School
With only three seniors, Coach Williams has a young but promising team. 2020 6’3 Gabby Hutcherson is an intriguing prospect to watch.
Lakota West High School
The Firebirds are led by 2018 Notre Dame signee Abby Prohaska and 2018 Niagara signee Ally Haar. 2020 Nevaeh Dean provides the interior scoring to go along with a plethora of shooters on the roster.
Reynoldsburg High School
Coach Purtell only has three senior this season so a lot young players are getting plenty of playing time. Two names to watch are 2020 Kyria Walker and 2019 Obianuju Ezeudu.
Wadsworth High School
Wadsworth is lead by a duo of Toledo University signees in Sophia Fortner and Lexi Lance. 2020 Taylor Leatherman and E’Anna Won are names to follow.
North Canton Hoover High School
Coach Allerding has three seniors on this year’s team that is looking to make another deep run in the playoffs. 2018 Makenna Drabick has signed with Eastern Michigan and 2019 Annie Roshak is a player to see.
Elyria Catholic High School
Coach Rothergy’s squad was added to the CITC due to the weather and took full advantage of their opportunity by upsetting Minster. They are led by 2020 Faith Williams, 2020 Ally Winnen, and Abby Winnen.
Premier Basketball Report National and Global subscribers can access the report in the PBR Database.
