MANSFIELD, Ohio — She scores points at a historic rate, but there’s more to Renee Stimpert than 3-pointers and daring drives to the basket.
The Richland Source Player of the Year, Stimpert elevated her game this season and brought her teammates along for the ride. She averaged 7.4 rebounds and a team-high 3.6 assists a game and led the area with 5.1 steals a night.
“She led us in just about every category,” Crestview coach Aaron Goon said. “She’s a special player.”
The District 6 Player of the Year, Stimpert is the anchor of an All-Richland Source first team that averaged 100 points and 40 rebounds a game.
Renee Stimpert, Crestview: The junior guard averaged an area-best 31 points a game this season and scored a single-game record 47 in a 63-56 win over Monroeville in December. Stimpert already is Crestview’s career scoring leader and is one page to top the 2,000-point plateau after averaging 20.2 points a game as a freshman and 21.5 as a sophomore. Her 65 3-pointers during the regular season were more than twice as many as any other player in the area. Stimpert led the Cougars to a 20-3 record and a runner-up finish in the Firelands Conference.
Jeryn Reese, Mansfield Senior: The District 6 Player of the Year in Division I, Reese took on an even bigger scoring load when Division I prospect Erica Johnson was lost to a season-ending knee injury in December. She responded by averaging a team-high 19.6 points a game and joined forces with Rajaa Anderson to form one of the most athletic front lines in the area. Reese averaged 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game. An Ohio Cardinal Conference first-team pick, Reese averaged 12.4 points and 9.8 rebounds a game last year.
Deijah Swihart, Clear Fork: A high school All-American in soccer, Swihart also left her mark on the girls basketball program. The four-year letter winner became just the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 points, joining Jill Snavely, Amy Featheringham and Jesse Fackler. Swihart averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.6 steals a game, leading the Colts to a runner-up finish in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. Clear Fork was 19-5 and handed OCC champ West Holmes its only conference loss. Swihart scored 28 points in the 49-45 win over the Knights. Swihart, who is headed to Ashland University to play soccer, was selected the OCC Player of the Year.
Mekaila Grose, Madison: It was an uneven season for the Rams, but Grose was a stabilizing presence. The senior averaged 17.5 points and 10.8 rebounds a game, one of just two area players to average a double-double. She was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team selection and a District 6 second-teamer in Division II. It was the second straight season Grose has averaged a double-double. She was good for 11.5 points and 10.9 rebounds a game as a junior.
Gabby Stephens, Shelby: The senior averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 steals a game for the Whippets and was selected to the District 6 first team in Division II. Shelby finished third in the Northern Ohio League and advanced to the sectional championship game before falling to Sandusky Perkins. Stephens and Jackie Garrett were among the top scoring duos in the area, averaging a combined 29 points a game.
Second Team: Emily Yeager, St. Peter’s; Katie Ritz, Mansfield Christian; Rajaa Anderson, Mansfield Senior; Morgan Bailey, Clear Fork; Alexis Smith, Madison.
Honorable Mention: Erika Farst, Clear Fork; Chadaybria Feagin, Mansfield Senior; Jackie Garrett, Shelby; Amanda Nething, Ontario; Lexie Shriver, Crestview; Amanda Smollen, Lucas; Olivia Shaver, Ontario; Addie Daugherty, Mansfield Christian; Taylor Valentine, Galion; Olivia Kearns, Lexington; Leah Eldridge, Plymouth; Caitlyn Fulk, Crestview; Jackie Baith, St. Peter’s; Marisa Gwinner, Galion; Mattie Van Orman, Clear Fork.
