West Holmes was well represented in the Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC) accolades, as they had the player of the year in Keegan Uhl, coach of the year with Lindsy Belden and four others selected for All-OCC.
This is the fourth straight season that Belden has won the coach of the year honors, and she has a 114-56 overall record (69-19 in conference play). Uhl’s nod now makes it three of four years that West Holmes has had the player of the year.
Uhl had a terrific senior season and was selected as the conference’s top player. She led the team with 9.1 points per game and 236 total points, while also tallying 2.8 boards, 2.1 steals, and two assists per game.
“Keegan Uhl has led us in scoring all season and in the second half of the season really took it upon herself to score for us,” said Coach Belden. “That is exciting for her, and we are honored that she was voted by the coaches in the league.”
Allie McMillen was also a first team All-OCC selection. She averaged 6.8 points per game, but it was really the rest of her contributions that were the major difference makers. She led the team in rebounds with 5.1 per game, assists with 3.8 per game, and 3.15 steals per game.
“Allie McMillen was dominant and led us in every other statistical category,” Belden said. “Her energy was unmatched this year, and she does things that don't show up in the stat column so well.”
Briar Cline was named second team All-OCC. She was just behind Uhl at 8.9 points per game, Belden said she always found ways to score when the Knights needed a bucket. Cline is still young, with two more years of high school ahead of her, so the future is bright in West Holmes.
“Briar Cline was a player that stepped up big during her sophomore season,” Belden said.
Chloe Patten was second team All-OCC, as well. The senior averaged 4.9 points, 3.8 boards and 1.5 steals.
“Chloe Patten has battled through many adversities this season and in her whole career,” Belden said. “She was a major leader for our team on and off the floor. She played her role really well, which included defending multiple positions on the floor, running a guard and a post spot in our offense, and rebounding the basketball.”
Aveona Yoder was honorable mention for All-OCC, averaging 6.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, one steal and just under a block per game. Belden praised her for defending the paint all season long, adding that she created her own offense and finished dump offs from guards. She was also able to get put back scores from offensive boards.
“These five, along with their teammates, was a really great group of girls to coach,” Belden said. “We had a great time together and we are certainly going to miss our seniors.”
All-OCC Selections
Player of the Year: Keegan Uhl (West Holmes)
Coach of the Year: Lindsy Belden (West Holmes)
First Team: Monetta Hillory (Mansfield); Grace Kostohryz (Wooster); Kennedy Lacy (Ashland); Kiersten Bradley (Mansfield); Allie McMillen (West Holmes); Makaree Chapman (Lexington); Ellie Mason (New Philadelphia)
Second Team: Ava Brown (Lexington); Briar Cline (West Holmes); Natalee Back (Madison); Camryn Cox (Ashland); Tori Pettoroni (Wooster); Annaleise Norris (Mansfield); Kymber Bell (Mount Vernon)
Honorable Mention: Madison Hoffman (Ashland); Kaitlyn Thompson (Mount Vernon); Cienna Steury (Ashland); Kaitlyn Dapprich (Mount Vernon); Tatum Stover (Lexington); Jazzee Barker (New Philadelphia); Cora Palmer (Lexington); Chloe Ebeling (Madison); Aveona Yoder (West Holmes); Morgan Cook (Madison); Chloe Patten (West Holmes); Kyeona Myers (Mansfield); Josie Wright (Wooster); Juleah Windham (Mansfield); Brooke Ritchie (Wooster)
