Eastern Holmes County will be rockin’ this weekend.
The undefeated Wadsworth girls basketball team, newly christened as No. 1 in The Associated Press Division I state poll, will get arguably its biggest challenges of the regular season at the Berlin Hiland-hosted Classic in the Country Challenge.
First up for the Grizzlies (13-0) at the Perry Reese Center is reigning D-I state semifinalist Newark (11-3) at 4:40 p.m. Saturday. Then Wadsworth will battle Cincinnati-area power Mason (12-2) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday in a rematch of the 1997 D-I state championship game won by the Grizzlies.
This marks the second straight year Wadsworth will play on consecutive days at one of the country’s elite showcases. There will be a noticeable change in the team’s approach.
“Last year we stayed overnight because our games were a little earlier in the afternoon, especially on the second day,” coach Andrew Booth said. “This year we play at 4:40 (Saturday) and 8:20 (Sunday), so we’re going to come home and sleep in our own bed. That’s one adjustment, because if we stay overnight we’re going to be sitting around all day Sunday.
“Last year really hurt us because playing back-to-back, obviously Lakota West blitzed us (62-30). We were out of gas that second day and they had not played the previous day — not that it would have made a big difference — but Mason also plays back-to-back, so hopefully that will be a benefit to us.”
Newark lost star center Kym Royster to Indiana University. The Wildcats then got a shock in the offseason when sweet-dribbling point guard Adrian Crockwell, an ESPN.com three-star recruit with moves on top of moves, transferred to nearby Reynoldsburg.
The Wildcats are still winning, though, because sophomores Carlee Street (9.5 ppg) and Olivia Fox (11.7) and freshmen Katie Shumate (9.3) and Morgan Sharps (9.1) have stepped up. Their losses are to Pickerington Central (No. 2 in D-I poll), Reynoldsburg (14th) and Pickerington North.
Meanwhile, the Comets, ranked fourth in the AP poll, compete in the loaded Greater Miami Conference alongside defending state champion Lakota West.
Mason features Arkansas recruit Jailyn Mason (8.9 ppg, 2.8 apg) and 6-foot-3 Marquette-bound center Lauren Van Kluenen (13.1, 7.2 rpg), but has five other players averaging at least four points.
“They’re excited about it,” Booth said of his players. “It’s one of the premier events in the state, if not the country. They’re ready.
“The main thing for them is Newark is very, very good and certainly Mason will be the same. It will be good experience, and hopefully it will be exactly what we need to get ready for the stretch run.”
Black River (0-14, 0-9)
Junior Frances Radway has found her scoring groove, averaging 10.6 points in five games since returning from injury.
Brunswick (8-7, 3-5)
- A 64-46 loss at Euclid on Saturday was wild, to say the least. The teams combined for 155 shots (52 3-pointers), 48 free throws and 109 rebounds. Farrah Benner pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds for the Blue Devils.
- Benner is averaging 17.8 points over the last four games.
- Four of Brunswick’s next five games are against opponents with winning records.
Buckeye (8-6, 6-4)
- Averaging 48.5 points, the Bucks are on pace for their best effort since 2007-08 (50.9).
- l The Bucks’ rebounding prowess has continued to be a major storyline, as they have won that battle in 12-of-14 games.
- l Buckeye is averaging a sparkling 60.3 points during its three-game winning streak.
- l Elizabeth Whetsone made her varsity debut and scored her first points Saturday against Oberlin.
Cloverleaf (11-3, 7-1)
- Small forward Helaina Limas (concussion) will start Saturday at Ravenna Southeast after missing four games. Senior Kassandra Kemp filled in for Limas and averaged 3.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
- l The Colts are 8-0 when All-Ohioan Lexi Civittolo has at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
- l Coach John Carmigiano needs eight victories to pass Mary Becker (133, Brunswick/Highland, 1992-2006) for seventh on the Medina County leaderboard.
Highland (11-3, 6-1)
- The Hornets found their dancing partner. Shortly before the season began, Highland was approved to play a game at Quicken Loans Arena but didn’t have an opponent. That drama is over, as the Hornets will play Wooster at 4 p.m. Thursday. The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers face the Los Angeles Clippers later that night.
- l Kat Van Kirk scored her first career points Saturday at Revere.
Medina (10-5, 4-4)
- Since putting up a donut against Mount Blue (Maine) in Florida, center Emma Bobey has been on fire with 52 points over four games.
- Emily McLeod scored her first career points Wednesday against Elyria, while Madison Luthy and Payton Beech made their debuts.