Norwayne sweeps WCAL top honors in girls basketball

There was no question that the Wayne County Athletic League was the best in the area for girls basketball. That was showcased by a strong postseason that saw four league teams clinch district titles, one advance to state and two others lose to teams that advanced to state.

Leading the way and completing a back-to-back trip to state in a rugged Division V was Norwayne, which swept both top honors. Third-year skipper Jake Shoup was named the WCAL Coach of the Year, and Ava Maibach, arguably the league’s most talented player the past two years, was named Player of the Year. The senior averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Maibach wasn’t alone, as the Bobcats landed three on the league’s first team with senior Allie DeMassimo and sophomore Hannah Froelich. DeMassimo averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists, and Froelich averaged a double-double with 10.4 points and 11.2 rebounds.

Another league player who had a strong season was Smithville senior Leah Keib, putting her in contention for Player of the Year. Keib averaged 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds for a Smithies team that, despite losing two huge pieces from a year ago, made it back to the regional finals, losing to Canton Central Catholic, which advanced to the Division VI state final.

The quartet wasn't alone on the first team. Waynedale point guard Kylie Geiser showed flashes of her scoring ability but is better known for her ability to distribute and run the show, averaging 3.2 assists, 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. Dalton just missed clinching a district title and was led by Grace Dorffer, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.0 rebounds. Chippewa, which fell to state-bound and league rival Norwayne in the playoffs, was paced by senior Aira Regan and junior Delaney Marshall. Regan averaged 12 points and 1.7 assists, and Marshall finished with an average of 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Norwayne's Courtney Cline, Smithville's Caylee Zimmerly, Waynedale's Audrey Troyer, Chippewa’s Bree Regan and Dalton's Phoebe Lehman, Payton Lehman and Mei Simmons were named to the second team.