OLIVESBURG, Ohio — Crestview coach Aaron Goon ran out of superlatives a long time ago.
There are only so many ways to say extraordinary.
For the past two seasons, Goon has had a ringside seat for the greatest scoring act in Richland County history. As Goon sees it, though, what made Renee Stimpert special was what she did when she wasn’t scoring a Richland County-record 2,305 career points.
“She has accepted that she doesn’t always have to score all the points,” Goon said earlier this year. “She has taken that role on this year willingly.
“She does everything for us.”
The two-time Richland Source Player of the Year, Stimpert averaged 27.7 points a game as the Cougars stormed to an unbeaten regular season and an Associated Press Division III poll championship. She passed Malabar graduate Francine Lewis (2,231 points, 1978-1982) to become the county’s career scoring leader and, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association website, ranks 15th in state history in scoring and career steals (485).
The 5-foot-9 senior led the area in assists (5.6) and steals (7.0) and grabbed a team-best 9.5 rebounds a game. She is a two-time All-Ohio first-team selection and two-time Northwest District Player of the Year.
“She has always been a scorer, but she has really improved her game in all facets,” said Stimpert’s father, Fred, who scored 1,170 career points during an All-Ohio career at Crestview in the late 1970s.
The Ashland University-bound Stimpert led the Firelands Conference in scoring during all four years of her high school career. She averaged 20.2 points a game as a freshman, 21.5 points a game as a sophomore and 29.4 points a game as a junior.
“I’m so blessed to have my coaches and my teammates,” Stimpert said the night she scored her 2,000th career point. “I feel so fortunate to be a part of the Crestview community. The fans have always been so supportive.”
The future of Richland County girls basketball is looking up as Stimpert is the only senior on the All-Richland Source first team.
Erica Johnson, Mansfield Senior: A 6-foot junior who has verbally committed to Ohio University, Johnson has battled injuries each of the past two years. The younger sister of former Senior High great and current Winthrop standout Keon Johnson, Erica averaged 20.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.5 steals a game. She was a District 6 and Northwest District first team selection. She was an All-Ohio third team pick.
Jackie Garrett, Shelby: The 5-foot-5 junior was Shelby’s floor general, leading the Whippets to a district runner-up finish. Garrett averaged 10.9 points, 4.5 assists and 3.3 steals a game. She was a District 6 first-team pick and a Northwest District second-team selection.
NaShail Shelby, Ontario: A sophomore, Shelby helped lead a revival at Ontario. The Warriors won a sectional championship, knocking off highly-regarded Norwalk, before falling to Shelby on a buzzer-beater in the district semifinals. The 5-foot-9 Shelby averaged 12.7 points a game and was selected to the District 6 first team and Northwest District second team.
Kennadie Goth, Shelby: The ultra-athletic junior averaged a team-high 13.4 points and 3.9 steals a game. She hit the game-winner as time expired against Ontario in the district semifinals. The 5-foot-6 Goth was a District 6 second-team pick and a Northwest District honorable-mention selection.
Second Team: Rajaa Anderson, Mansfield Senior (12.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Maddi Fidler, Shelby (10.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg); Lexie Shriver, Crestview (9.7 ppg); Katie Ritz, Mansfield Christian (18.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Emily Yeager, Ontario (13.3 ppg).
Third Team: Amanda Nething, Ontario; Sierra King, Shelby; Jackie Baith, Crestview; Taylor Valentine, Galion; Addie Daugherty, Mansfield Christian.
