GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Liana Jennings
Stow, senior guard
WHAT SETS HER APART
Jennings, a second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district selection in Division I, led Stow (24-4) to the school's first state championship game. Jennings averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists as the Bulldogs tied a school record for wins in a season. Jennings, the Western Reserve Conference's Most Valuable Player, holds the school record for career points with 1,622. She also ranks second in career assists and fourth in career rebounds.
WHAT HER COACH SAYS
``The thing that really makes Liana a special player is how much she cares about her teammates. She is a leader on and off the floor. She's done a lot of things to make our team better over the last four years. She's clearly the best player that's ever played at Stow High School. She's got a tremendous sense of the game that you can't coach. She's one of those kids who consistently improved her game every year.'' -- Stow coach Bob Podges.
CAREER OUTLOOK
Jennings has committed to continue her academic and basketball career at Bowling Green State University. Jennings, who has a 3.4 grade-point average, plans to major in education.
Also, nice press for Kelly Zuercher of Waynedale and Jen Uhl of Wadsworth. Zuercher received ABJ First Team Honors and Uhl was named to the All Medina County Team. Jennings and Zuecher were both 2nd team All Ohio while Uhl was Special Mention All Ohio.
What a class we have coming in just from the state of Ohio....include the others out of state and look out, MAC. This Dynasty is reloading with a happy Head Coach.
GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL-STARS
ALL-BEACON JOURNAL FIRST TEAM
Name School Position Ht. Year
Liana Jennings Stow Guard 5-9 Sr.
Bowling Green recruit and second-team All-Ohio selection in Division I averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game to lead the state runner-up Bulldogs (24-4).
Tenishia Benson Archbishop Hoban Guard 5-9 Sr.
University of Cincinnati recruit and first-team All-Ohio pick in Division II averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9. assists and 3.2. steals per game to help the Knights (20-5) reach a regional final.
Cara Bedard Waterloo Center 6-0 Sr.
First-team All-Ohio selection in Division III averaged 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game to lead the Vikings (22-2) to a regional semifinal.
Stephanie Gibson N. Canton Hoover Guard 5-6 Sr.
Kent State recruit and second-team All-Ohio pick in Division I averaged 12.2 points and 5.7 assists per game to help the Vikings (21-4) reach a regional final.
Kara Murphy St. V-M Guard 5-10 Sr.
University of Akron recruit and second-team All-Ohio selection in Division II averaged 24.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game to help the Irish (16-7) advance to a district semifinal.
Brittany Orban N. Canton Hoover Forward 5-11 Jr.
First-team All-Ohio pick in Division I averaged 21.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game to lead the Vikings (21-4) to a regional final.
Kelli Pollock Mogadore Guard 5-10 Sr.
Mount Vernon Nazarene recruit and first-team All-Ohio selection in Division IV averaged 19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game to lead the Wildcats (17-7) to a district final.
Caitlin Sharp East Canton Guard 5-6 Jr.
Second-team All-Ohio pick in Division IV averaged 16.7 points and 3.4 assists per game to help the Wizards (22-4) advance to a regional final.
Cassie Schrock Wadsworth Guard 5-9 Sr.
Eastern Michigan Univeristy recruit and first-team All-Ohio pick in Division I averaged 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game to help the Grizzlies (21-2) win a Suburban League title.
Kelly Zuercher Waynedale Center 6-2 Sr.
Bowling Green recruit and second-team All-Ohio selection in Division III averaged 21.5 points and 9.5 rebounds to lead the Golden Bears (21-3) to a regional semifinal.
-- Nate Ulrich
TOGETHER, WE ATTACK FOR A FOUR PEAT!!! GO BG!
