Something we love to do at Ohio Valley Athletics is bring you stories that you normally do not find anywhere else. Some of those places are sports that occur outside of the schools that make up the Ohio Valley. This is a total shame because the number of athletes that perform at high levels outside of school is worth mentioning. We at Ohio Valley Athletics pledge to bring you as many of these stories as possible.
One of these such teams is made up of a group of superstars that normally perform for their schools. The Ohio Valley Hornets AAU team has been on a roll. The Hornets field three girls’ teams and two boys’ teams. The girls field a Varsity Team, a JV Team, and a middle school team. The boys’ field a varsity team and a JV team. All of the players on these teams are local. Moreover, this is a labor of love for those involved with these programs. No one gets paid. They do charge for participation but only enough to cover the costs of tournament entry fees, practice gyms, and uniforms.
When speaking to Paul “Buff” Buffington, one of the coaches for the Hornets, about what is the program’s goals he said simply “our goal is to help improve them both on and off the court”. Buff goes on to say, “If they want to get to the next level to play, we do everything we can to get them there including reaching out directly to the coaches of their choosing”.
They do all this the right way too. “We teach not only playing basketball (the right way), but also respect, sportsmanship, and the importance of academics. We market ourselves and treat our student-athletes and parents as a (basketball family)” Buff emphatically states.
The girls’ teams have been picking them and putting them down. In their first three tournaments, the Varsity Girls have won two Championships and placed 2nd in another tournament while their JV team has brought home a 3rd place. Unfortunately, this came at a cost as they have lost two players for the season due to injuries (torn ACL and Jones Fracture). A very sad part of sports that happens.
One of the tournaments was the Youngstown Classic, where the varsity girls walked away as champions. Another tournament was held here locally at the Highlands Sports Complex where the varsity team won the varsity division in the Eastern Shootout. When asked for stats Buff added, “We normally do not keep detailed stats on each because we preach being a TEAM. Our motto is, (We don’t care who scores, as long as WE score)”.
Two other individuals we would like to mention are Preston Stull who kind of spear heads the overall program and coaches the middle school girls’ team. He does have a daughter on the middle school team and a son on the high school team.
We would also like to give a shout out to Rae Ann Sowers who coaches with Buff on the girls’ high school teams.
The Ohio Valley Hornets Varsity Roster is made up of the following young ladies with some detailed information on each:
Rylee Knight is a senior at River plays the 4,5. She also plays Softball. She’s 5’10” and is committed to Wheeling University – She’s a very strong player who dominates inside but can play outside as well: An enforcer.
Alexus Greenlief is a senior at Oak Glen and plays the 4, 5. She also plays Soccer. She’s 5’7″ and is committed to Waynesburg University – She’s an unbelievable athlete; Fantastic defensive player; Gets out on the break very well, but LOVES shutting down the other team’s best offensive player.
Pam Kandarach is a junior at Buckeye Local and plays the 3,4. She also runs Track. She’s 5’7″ and is being looked at by Walsh, Wheeling, and West Liberty Universities – Has a very high motor you can’t teach; Cleans the glass, but can also hit the three; A female Charles Barkley.
Ashley Shroades is a junior at Southern Local and plays the 1, 2. She’s 5’4″ and is being looked at West Virginia and Penn State Universities – A consummate floor general in every sense of the term; Can shoot from anywhere, run the offense, and take people off the dribble.
Brynn McKeever is a junior at Buckeye Local and plays the 3,4. She also runs track. She’s 5’8″ and is currently undecided – exciting wing who can get up and down the floor like a gazelle but can also step out and shoot the three.
Zoey Fox is freshmen at River and plays the 3, 4. She also runs track. She’s 5’9″ and is currently undecided – A lanky defensive wizard who shoots the three with exceptional accuracy especially in big moments.
Kylie Anderson is a junior at Indian Creek and plays the 4, 5. She’s 5’9″ and is being looked at by Muskingum and other Universities – An incredibly talented “Swiss Army Knife”; This girl can do it all; She can score inside, shoot outside, defend, and her passing ability is what the kids call “sick”; Just now showing her entire repertoire.
The JV Roster Looks is made of these young ladies:
Maddie Sedgmer is a sophomore at Harrison Central and plays the 4,5. She’s 5’10” and is currently undecided – A tall post player who is just coming into her own; Grasps the game very well; The more experience, the better she is going to get.
Allyssa Shroades is a freshman at Southern Local and plays the 1, 2. She’s 5’5″ and is currently undecided – A three-point specialist who is just now learning the nuances of the game.
Lily Beecroft is a sophomore at Brooke and plays the 3,4. She’s 5’7″ and currently undecided – A “Swiss Army Knife” who can play anywhere from the 1 to the 4 positions; Fantastic competitor that is just now starting to put it all together; The bigger the game, the better she plays.
Makayla Faulkner is a sophomore at Buckeye Local and plays the 2,3. She’s 5’6″ and is currently undecided – A defensive specialist with an unorthodox shot but is just beginning to tap all of her potential.
Kylee Stull is a sophomore at Edison and plays the 4, 5. She also is on the cheerleading squad. She’s 5’6″ and is currently undecided – A slasher from the wing whose motor knows no quit; Gets to the basket with ease and is improving more and more with each season; Our best hustler.
Karly Koran is a freshman Buckeye Local and plays the 1, 2. She’s 5’5″ and is currently undecided – First year playing, but learning more and more each week; With more experience, she will be just fine; Wish every athlete had her work ethic.
IR Charlee Roe is a freshman at Martins Ferry and plays the 5. She’s 5’8″ and is currently undecided – Unfortunately, sustained a Jones Fracture our first weekend; Powerful force inside who is just learning all the aspects of post play; Another one with an unbelievable motor.
IR Sadie Edwards is a freshman at Steubenville and plays the 1. She’s also plays Softball 5’6″ and is currently undecided – Unfortunately, sustained a torn ACL our first weekend; Fantastic guard who runs the floor like a track star; Understands the game beyond her years.
If you have player interested in joining either boys or girls teams just reach out to Coach Buff at 76erfan@comcast.net
Also, look for a feature article on their boy’s program in the near future.
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