The Utica Redskins girls basketball team had a rough season in 2021-22, going 3-23 overall and 1-15 in Lucking County league play.
The Lady Redskins’ high points last year came early, as they lost their last 18 games in a row. After losing to Fredericktown 53-34 to start the season, the Utica girls won back-to-back games, beating Northridge, 51-34, and Fairfield Christian Academy, 45-36, to go 2-1 in the year. The team’s final win came Dec. 18 against Granville Christian Academy, 67-37, to put their record at 3-5. It was all downhill from there, though they lost a tough overtime game vs. Northridge, 61-56, Jan. 15 and close games to Northmor and Highland in January and February.
Despite the rough run to end the season, Utica coach Terry Logue, who enters his 11th season behind the Utica bench, is optimistic about this season, as new student-athletes and renewed enthusiasm permeated early-season work.
“Twenty-four girls went out for varsity and JV teams, and among those are six returning letter winners,” Logue said. “The girls are enthusiastic and hard-working, and we expect to compete.”
Utica’s returning letter winners form a strong core, with Abby Dickson – First Team LCL in 2021-22; Delaney Kerstetter – Second Team LCL; Skyler Parker – honorable mention LCL; Abby Paxton; Josie Mueller; and Carlie Hill.
Logue said the team will run an open “41 concept” offense and run presses and man-to-man defense.
The last time the Utica girls finished over .500 was in 2019-20, when they ended the season at 10-9 (6-3 in LCL play), the final year of a string of six .500 seasons. The best season finish under Logue was 2012-13, when the team had a 20-5 overall record and was 12-2 in the Mid-Buckeye Conference. Logue said he and his team are working hard to bring back good days and good results for the 2022-23 squad.
Utica began the season 1-0 with a 42-35 win over Fredericktown on Nov. 22. The Redskins begin their LCL conference schedule at Northridge on Dec. 2.
