Shondel leads area players on all-district girls basketball teams

Highland senior Grace Shondel led a strong group of area players named to the All-Northeast Ohio Inland District girls basketball teams.

Shondel, a 5-foot-7 guard, was named first team in Division II after averaging 8 points per game. She helped lead the Hornets to a 22-4 overall record and a 12-2 mark in the Suburban League American Conference, earning a share of the conference title with Division III state semifinalist Copley.

Highland has qualified for regional play each of the past two seasons, falling both times to Akron-area parochial schools.

During the past two seasons with Shondel in the starting backcourt, Highland posted a 47-5 record, including 26-2 in conference play. Over her four-year career, the Hornets went 82-19 overall and 49-7 in the conference.

Sophomore Madi Morgan, a 5-9 forward who averaged 11 points, earned second-team honors for Highland. Juniors Rowan Kildoo and Emeri Gausman received honorable mention.

Highland coach James Madison did not repeat as coach of the year despite the team’s success. That honor went to former Cloverleaf coach Julie Solis of Copley, who led the Indians to the state final four, though district awards are voted on prior to the postseason.

Cloverleaf senior Evie Barth earned first-team honors in Division IV. The 5-8 guard averaged a Medina County-best 18.8 points per game as the Colts finished 18-6 overall and 11-3 in the Metro Conference, placing third behind Norton and Streetsboro.

Cloverleaf also had junior Makinsey Bayer and sophomore Kendall Seiwerth receive honorable mention.

Medina’s Abby Dress was named second team in Division I. The 5-9 wing averaged 11.5 points to help the Bees to a 12-11 record. Medina finished 9-5 in its final season in the Greater Cleveland Conference, placing third behind Mentor and Strongsville. The Bees will move to the Suburban League American Division next season.

Senior Addy Shook of Medina also earned honorable mention.

Buckeye sophomore Ava Wolf received honorable mention in Division IV. Wolf led a young team that finished 8-15 overall and 4-10 in the Cleveland West Conference, with a roster that included nine freshmen and sophomores.

Medina Christian sophomore guard Grace Workman earned honorable mention in Division VI. The Knights finished 5-10 overall and won four of their final six regular-season games.

The Inland District includes schools from Medina, Summit, Stark, Portage, Geauga and Wayne counties, along with several counties in the Youngstown area. Teams are selected by a panel of media members. All-Ohio teams were expected to be announced this past week after press time.