Girls basketball: Mansfield-area players to watch

MANSFIELD - There is rarely a shortage of talent in north central Ohio when it comes to girls basketball. This season will again offer fans a chance to follow outstanding players before they go off to college.

So go buy a bag of popcorn and settle in to watch unique talents do their thing on the area's hardwoods. Here's a watch list of the best of the best returning this season:

Renee Stimpert, Crestview

The 5-foot-8 performer puts the point in point guard. Last year she averaged almost 30 points per game, while still dishing out 4.4 assists and grabbing 7.9 rebounds with 5.3 steals. The dynamo is constant motion on the floor and often creates her own shot off the dribble, in transition or from the perimeter. A first-team All-Ohioan and the reigning News Journal Player of the Year, Stimpert is the biggest reason why everyone is picking the Cougars to repeat as 20-game winners. She will play at Ashland University next year.

Erica Johnson, Mansfield Senior

If she can stay healthy, the versatile 6-footer is a major college talent. Last year she was on pace to average 18 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists and three rebounds, before a knee injury robbed her of her sophomore season. She's back and that should strike fear in the hearts of opponents and bring smiles to the faces of her fans. He is the "little" sister of Tyger all-timer Keon Johnson who is now playing at NCAA Division I Winthrop, but she's about three or four inches taller than "big" brother. Like Stimpert, Johnson is matchup nightmare who can fill out a stat sheet, but do so with some did-she-really-do-that plays.

Gabi Baldridge, Willard

The 6-foot-4 senior is the biggest girl in the area, and it's no surprise that she's also the lone NCAA Division I signee in the early period. Baldridge will play next year at Indiana State, a place where Mansfield Senior's Racheal Mahan had a fabulous career. Baldridge has never been the focus of Willard's offense, but that could change this season. She averaged 7.8 points and nine rebounds a year ago, but is an underrated passer at 1.6 per game. For her size, she's not a plodder and has shown glimpses of nice footwork around the basket.

Shelby

The Whippets have too many individuals to name. Junior guards Jackie Garrett and Kennadie Goth are double-digit scorers who offer lots of speed in the backcourt. Fellow junior Maddi Fidler averaged eight points and almost seven rebounds and was a major improvement as a sophomore. But Shelby also gets a pair of Willard transfers in sisters Sienna and Maggie King. Maggie will play NCAA Division II basketball at Notre Dame College next year and was an All-Northern Ohio League pick as was her junior sister, who averaged 10 points, 7.4 rebounds and shot 50 percent from the arc.

Emily Yeager, Ontario

An All-Ohioan as a sophomore, Yeager is moving from St. Peter's to Ontario this year where she already had a successful soccer season helping the Warriors back to the regional. A true wing player at 5-9, Yeager averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 44 percent inside the arc.

Summer Sweeting, South Central

As great as multi-time All-Ohio Anna Hintz was, the girl who got the Trojans going was the 5-6 point guard. Sweeting's value was shown when she went down with a knee injury in the tournament and South Central's season came to a halt. She averaged 13 points and six assists with 3.5 steals, and she has recovered from her injury.

Rajaa Anderson, Mansfield Senior

She is the prototypical power forward. There is nothing fancy about the 5-10 senior's game, but she's just productive, averaging 12 points and 8.5 rebounds on 46 percent shooting a year ago.

Others to Watch

Each of the Northern 10 teams in Crawford County have fun players to watch: Buckeye Central's 5-8 sophomore point guard Jenna Karl, Colonel Crawford's 5-5 guard Alexus Burkhart, Bucyrus 6-0 senior center Kelci Simms and Wynford 6-1 post Alyssa Harrer. Mansfield Christian features a senior tag team of top-rebounder Addie Daugherty and scorer Katie Ritz. Mapleton junior guard Faith Edwards is the team's top returning scorer at almost 10 points per game.

Rob McCurdy covers girls basketball at the News Journal and can be reached at rmccurdy@gannett.com or 419-521-7241. On Twitter follow @McMotorsport.