4 area girls earn All-Ohio honors in Division III

The girls basketball teams from New Philadelphia and Dover did not hang banners or collect trophies this year, but both programs still had plenty to celebrate.

The Quakers and Tornadoes were recognized when the All-Ohio teams in Divisions I-III were announced last week. The 2 Division III teams combined to have 4 players honored.

In Division III, Dover senior Ansley Bollon received All-Ohio special mention. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 14.8 points this season.

New Philadelphia sophomore Aubrie Wells, a 5-9 guard, also received special mention in Division III. She averaged 12.8 points this season.

Wells’ freshman teammates, Khloe Sours and Abbey Sweitzer, received all-state honorable mention. Sours, a 6-foot post, averaged 11.6 points, while Sweitzer, also a 6-foot post, scored 8.7 points per game.

New Philadelphia finished 17-6 this season and, with that nucleus possibly returning, should be among the area teams to watch in 2026-27.

In the Ohio Cardinal Conference, Wells was a first-team all-league selection. Sours received second-team honors, while Sweitzer and Lily Zimmerman each earned honorable mention.

For Dover, Bollon was a second-team All-OCC selection. Sophomore Jenna Festi and freshman Maddie Minnis each received honorable mention.

Not surprisingly, Division VII state champion Strasburg-Franklin dominated the All-Inter Valley Conference North Division selections. That included Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors for senior Sofia Secrest and Tyler Bates, respectively.

Joining Secrest on the first team was fellow senior Ally Miller. Olivia Spidell, also a senior, received a second-team all-conference nod, along with freshman Lydia Thomas. Freshman Delanee Herron received honorable mention for the Tigers.

Also named to the first team in the North were Newcomerstown sophomore Laynie Matchett and Tuscarawas Central Catholic senior Nora Jackson. Newcomerstown junior Breann Kerr and TCC sophomore Miya Olsen were second-team picks.

Newcomerstown senior Kim Miller and TCC sophomore Melody Johnson each received honorable mention.

In the South Division, Tusky Valley junior Elli Wallick was named Player of the Year. Coach of the Year also went to Tusky Valley, with Matt Ward receiving the honor. Tusky Valley finished 11-1 in conference play to tie Hiland for first place. The Trojans finished 22-5 overall.

Also on the first team from Tusky Valley was junior Brennen Reichman. Senior Sydney Miller and junior Aleah Wozniak were second-team picks, while junior Natalie Woloch received honorable mention.

Claymont senior Ava Edwards, who led the Mustangs to 1 of their best seasons in recent years, was a first-team all-conference selection. Her junior teammate, Aubree Cottrell, received honorable mention.

Indian Valley and Sandy Valley each landed 1 player on the first team. For the Braves, it was senior Bayli McConnell, while junior Cali Eckinger was honored for the Cardinals.

Eckinger’s senior teammate, Teresa Petro, earned second-team honors for Sandy Valley. Senior Cassie Micelli received second-team recognition for Indian Valley. Sandy Valley junior Bella Meade and Indian Valley sophomore Hallie Klasner each received honorable mention.