BERLIN, Ohio – If you look through the records for the Classic in the Country you see plenty of high profile athletes that have gone on to Big East schools, ACC programs, the Big Ten, the SEC, Big 12 and virtually every other major conference in women’s colligate basketball. However, right alongside them you’ll see plenty of other athletes who have gone on to have college careers just as successful, if not more so, at virtually every other tier and level of play.
Look around the gym at this year’s Classic and you’ll see Malina Howard of Twinsburg who happens to be headed to Maryland. You’ll catch a glimpse Canton McKinley’s Ameryst Alston bound for Ohio State. You’ll see others headed for Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Virginia. And just like in the past you’ll see many others who still have a lot of basketball in front of them as well.
Today we take a look at a couple of standouts who offered up some exceptional play on both day one and day two of the ninth annual Classic in the Country.
Reynoldsburg senior guard Aliyah Zantt had quite a few college recruiters sitting courtside wishing she was still available on the recruiting market. The Eastern Michigan signee provided plenty of reasons for the folks up in Ypsilanti to be glad that they locked her up early. Explosive, strong and quick, the 5-7 backcourt standout is in constant attack mode on both ends of the floor. In Reynoldsburg’s wins over Mason and Lakota East she was productive with the ball in her hands putting up a combined 33 points on 13 of 30 shooting (43%) which also included going 5 for 15 (33%) from three point range. Off the drive she found her way into the paint time and again and was more than effective finishing in traffic. Her range and touch force tight close outs which isn’t exactly reassuring for defenders when you consider the effectiveness of her lethal first step. Physically she has the strength to challenge bigger defenders but maintains the lateral speed to contain almost any opponent in her own defensive efforts. It’s worth noting as well that she produced seven steals in two games and converted several into scoring opportunities out of transition. That effort in both halfcourt and pressing situations comes with an intensity that should serve her well the rest of her senior season and when she takes the floor for the Eagles next year.
The defending state champions from Twinsburg can boast of the earlier mentioned Maryland bound Malina Howard as well as highly regarded junior Ashley Morrissette. But, if you’re going to talk about the Tiger’s success over the past several years you better include senior guard Leah Fechko in the conversation, too. It would be hard to ignore the constant that the 5-8 guard has been both in Twinsburg’s title run last season as well as their impressive performance thus far this year. In their rematch win from the 2011 championship game with Kettering Fairmont and their day two match up with Mason, Fechko provided 15 points in each contest on 44% shooting from the floor. From long range she was just 3 of 11 but connected on seven of her eight combined free throw attempts. Despite her perimeter position and smaller stature she came up with five boards the first night and turned around and contributed eight more in the second game. While all of that is sound and solid basketball, it’s not really what sets her apart and makes you take notice. The easiest way to put it is that she simply makes plays. It might be penetration and a three point play one time. The next she’s coming up with the loose ball or offensive board to create a second opportunity for herself or a teammate. Defensively she’ll take on physical match ups or dig in and contain quicker guards. Baseball has the position of “utility player” and that may just be Fechko’s role for Coach Julie Solis. No destination is set yet for her future, but no matter what level or what campus, it’s a safe bet that she’ll be quietly making the things happen that win games.
