Despite loss of Stoltzfus, Minerva girls ready to climb EBC standings

This one is going to sting a bit.

The Lady Lions didn’t just lose talented players to graduation, which is something all high school teams must endure. The injury bug bit Minerva in a big way, too.

After a season in which the Lady Lions went 9-15 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference with a 2-8 mark, Minerva had to watch several standouts leave after graduation, including Mackenzie French and Madelyn Morckel, who were each were named to the EBC’s honorable mention roll.

But then Lillie Stoltzfus, an EBC first-team selection who should be entering her senior year, saw those plans go up in smoke, said fifth-year coach Josh Morckel.

“This year’s team lost a huge asset in Lillie Stoltzfus due to an ACL tear,” Morckel said. “She was the engine and we had high hopes to make a big push this year, but our team will persevere. We will have to find different ways to score and lean on each other to overcome this tough loss.”

Fortunately, the Lions welcome back some other talented players, beginning with senior guard Kyleigh Lippincott, a second-team selection for both the EBC and East District. Morckel described Lippincott as an elite defender who “brings high energy and leadership on both ends.”

Joining Lippincott is senior forward/guard Ireland Kirkpatrick, a “physical competitor and strong two-way player who sets the tone for toughness,” according to her coach. Juniors Rachel Benedict (center) and Ivey Rettig (guard) also return.

Morckel described Benedict as an “anchor in the paint” who provides “size, strength, and a rebounding presence,” while calling Rettig an “intense defender and aggressive driver who thrives in pressure situations.”

Guard Peyton Beaumariage and forward Emma Catlett, both sophomores, round out the returning letter winners.

Morckel said Beaumariage is “one of the team’s best perimeter shooters with growing confidence,” while Catlett is a “versatile, high-motor player who excels defensively and attacks the rim with purpose.”

Newcomers to the Minerva crimson and gray are two freshmen – point guard Ayvah Morckel and forward/guard Sophia Burick.

“A strong group of underclassmen has emerged from the middle school program and summer workouts,” said Morckel. “Several sophomores and freshmen have impressed with their competitiveness and coachability, fitting seamlessly into our team culture focused on relationships, energy, and perseverance.”

While the Lions can only imagine what heights this team could have achieved with Stoltzfus in the lineup, Minerva still has a lot of potential to put on the court every night.

“Our greatest strengths will be our defensive toughness, energy, and togetherness,” said Morckel. "This group takes pride in competing on every possession and holding each other accountable. Leadership from our seniors will allow us to compete in every game. We will lean our defense this year.”

The Lions may have been cellar dwellers in the EBC last season, but Morckel doesn’t believe that will be the case this season.

“The EBC will be competitive from top to bottom, but we believe we can contend in every matchup” Morckel said. “Our goal is to be in the upper half of the league by playing connected, selfless basketball.”