SHELBY, Ohio — All but one of them is listed as a guard, but it’s hard to pigeonhole the members of the All-Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge team.
They can do a little bit of everything.
Some of the best players in the region were on display during last weekend’s 12-team extravaganza at Shelby High School and if are fans didn’t know already, they quickly discovered there is plenty of talent to go around.
Here’s a look at the best of the best from last weekend:
Taylor Gregory, Mount Vernon: The 6-foot-2 senior swing player almost single-handedly orchestrated the most impressive comeback of the tournament in a 69-63 Shelby win. A University of Akron recruit, Gregory scored 20 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter as the Yellow Jackets stormed back from a 22-point third quarter deficit. Gregory connected on three 3-pointers and showed off her ball-handling skills while regularly bringing the ball up the floor against Shelby’s pressure.
Jiselle Thomas, Norwalk: The High Point-bound senior came to the attention of area fans during last year’s Richand Source NOL-OCC Challenge at Madison. The 5-foot-8 guard scored 27 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, of a 54-46 win over Mansfield Senior. Thomas also grabbed 16 rebounds as the Truckers overcame a 31-30 halftime deficit, outscoring the Tygers 24-15 in the second half.
Erica Johnson, Mansfield Senior: The 5-foot-11 senior scored eight of her 15 points in the fourth quarter in the loss to Norwalk, but that only tells a fraction of the story. The Ohio University-bound Johnson added 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Jackie Garrett, Shelby: Like Gregory, Thomas and Johnson, Garrett had a big fourth quarter. The 5-foot-4 senior guard scored seven point — all from the free throw line — as the Whippets foiled Mount Vernon’s comeback bid. An All-Ohio honorable mention selection as a junior, Garrett scored 22 points.
Kennadie Goth, Shelby: A four-sport standout, Goth matched backcourt mate Garrett with 22 points. The 5-foot-6 senior guard was instrumental as the Whippets built what proved to be an insurmountable 22-point lead late in the third quarter. With Goth and Garrett causing most of the trouble, the Whippets forced 19 first-half turnovers and 25 for the game.
Emily Yeager, Ontario: The 5-foot-9 senior guard was a match-up nightmare for Clear Fork. Yeager scored 25 points as the Warriors cruised to a 51-27 win. Yeager scored 17 points in the first half as Warriors raced to a 36-17 halftime lead and never looked back.
Be sure to check out the boys teams this Saturday at Ontario High School in the second part of the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge. Presale tickets are available at each participating school, $6 for adults and $4 for students. One ticket is worth admission all day long, but leaving the gym requires another ticket purchase to re-enter.
All tickets at the door are $8.
Game times are as follows:
11 a.m. Tiffin Columbian vs. Clear Fork
1 p.m. Bellevue vs. Madison
3 p.m. Norwalk vs. Mount Vernon
5 p.m. Shelby vs. Ashland
7 p.m. Ontario vs. Lexington
9 p.m. Sandusky vs. Mansfield Senior
Events such as the The Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge do not happen without tremendous partners. The NOL-OCC Challenge is presented by Mechanics Bank Be the Change scholarship program in partnership with The Holden Agency and Marco Photo Service. Supporting sponsors include Olive Garden, North Central State College, Rinehart Walters Danner Insurance, Prospering Life Events, Best Buy, TextLoyal, The Vault Wine Bar, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, and Lantz Star Graphics.
