Scouting Report: Mansfield Senior vs Shelby features best two teams in Richland County

MANSFIELD — It's finally here.

The Shelby Whippets pay a visit to Mansfield Senior for a game featuring two of the best girls basketball teams in Richland County. It will be a must-see game, so let's take some time to dig in deep and see just what we all should be watching for on Tuesday night with this special edition of Scouting Report.

SCORES AND MORE: Richland County Girls Basketball Scoreboard: Five teams pick up wins

The Matchup

Shelby (11-3) at Mansfield Senior (15-1) girls, Tuesday

It's the big one. No. 1 vs No. 2 in the Richland County Girls Basketball Power Poll and a potential district tournament preview game will be one of the most anticipated games of the season. Mansfield Senior rolls in at 14-1 on the season and fresh off of a victory over previously undefeated Richland Heights last week. The Tygers' lone loss of the season came back on Dec. 12 which kind of ignited something in the Tygers. Since then, they have beaten Smithville, Strasburg, West Holmes and Richmond Heights among others. They are playing some great basketball right now and if they can knock off Shelby, they could cruise into the final game against Olentangy Orange with a pretty nice record.

The Whippets have a dominant win over Perkins to their credit, 50-33, on Dec. 30 so for those that think Shelby can't win this one, think again. The Whippets play with such balance and consistency that they are in a prime position to compete for another Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship. But, the Whippets have always been about more than just league titles. While they celebrate them, their main focus is competing for a Division II district championship and Tuesday night will be a true measure of where they are in terms of completing that goal. Mansfield Senior currently holds the No. 1 seed in the district with the Whippets in fourth. While that spot would mean home court advantage throughout the sectional tournament, they would much rather have that No. 1 seed and this is the first step toward getting it.

Main Keys

Mansfield Senior: The Tygers main focus will be on the defensive end. The Whippets have some young ball handlers and the Tygers thrive on speeding teams up and forcing turnovers so that is going to be how they win this game. Picking up full court and really making things difficult in the front court will give the Tygers some fastbreak opportunities and if they can force some early turnovers and get out to a good lead, it could be a good night.

Shelby: There are two keys for the Whippets and the first goes off of the Tygers' key and that is taking care of the basketball. Mansfield Senior is going to come out in a full-court press and force people to handle the ball with poise and confidence. The Whippets have to show both when dealing with Mansfield Senior's pressure. If they can break the press with the pass, that could lead to some easy layups. The second key is to control the boards. The Whippets will be a tad undersized in this matchup and giving up second-chance points will be a no-no on Tuesday night.

Key Players to Watch

Kyeona Myers, Mansfield Senior

It is crazy to think, but Myers may be the most improved player in all of Richland County and she was absolutely sensational as a freshman last year. She is shooting the ball so much better knocking down 56% of her 3-point attempts on the year and averaging 9.3 points per game. She is making very smart decisions and really has the offense ticking.

Eve Schwemley, Shelby

The leading scorer in the MOAC at 15.3 per game, Schwemley may be the most talented basketball player on the court on any given night. She has a competitive streak that is something else and it fires up her teammates. She is one of those players who can go out and get a bucket when the team desperately needs it and that is something not many teams have anymore.

Kiersten Bradley, Mansfield Senior

Her scoring average may be down from the last couple of years to just nine points per game, but Bradley has evolved her game into being a facilitator. She is handing out a team-high four assists per game and when you have a shooter who is also unselfish, it's a deadly combo. Bradley has put the team first and can be directly credited with why the Tygers only have one loss this year.

Serena Ramsey, Shelby

As athletic as any player on the court. Ramsey is quick, shifty, explodes off of the floor and has a very nice touch around the rim. She seems to always find her way into the right spot every time down the court and she is really evolving as a basketball player. When she unlocks her true potential, she could be the best player in Richland County before she graduates.

Juleah Windham, Mansfield Senior

The glue girl, Windham has been just what the Tygers needed. After moving away last season only to return this year, Windham has the team chemistry blasting through the roof. She makes sure everyone is getting along while also holding each of her teammates accountable. She averages 8.1 points and seems to always hit a big shot at the most important time of the game.

Mallary Gundrum, Shelby

Gundrum is one of the best movers on the court. When she has the ball in her hand, she is always looking to make something happen and she typically does in a positive way. She can shoot it very well but has turned into a driver of late and when she gets in the lane, she has a nice floater and excellent court vision to make the perfect pass. She is going to be huge in this game.

Monetta Hilory, Mansfield Senior

The best ball handler in Richland County and it may not even be close. She can single-handedly break a full-court press which is huge for the Tygers because everyone else can move without the ball and give her plenty of options to set up great shots. She is averaging 3.3 assists per game but make no mistake, she is a scorer, too. She averaged a team-high 11 points per game and had really taken her game to the next level.

Charlie Niese, Shelby

Niese is the engine that makes the Whippets run. Her ability to handle the ball and run the offense sets up her teammates and takes a ton of pressure off of them so they can focus on other things. She is averaging 3.2 assists per game and has more assists than turnovers which is both rare and exactly what you want out of a point guard. Niese is a luxury for the Whippets.

Annaleise Norris, Mansfield Senior

The best rebounder in all of Richland County, Norris is a dominant force in the paint. She pulls down 8.7 boards per game and scores 7.7 points so she is a double-double just waiting to happen. When her team needs her, she can take over a game on both ends of the floor and she just might be in line for a huge game on Tuesday.

Sophia Long, Shelby

Long just oozes basketball IQ. She flies all over the court and makes plays that not many players can make. She makes all of those little hustle plays that make all the difference in wins and losses. She will be the x-factor on Tuesday. If she can come out and make those kinds of plays, the Whippets could walk out of Pete Henry Gym with a smile.

Tasaya Smith, Mansfield Senior

Just an absolutely scrappy player for the Tygers. She does a little bit of everything. She scores 3.9 points, grabs 4.4 rebounds, hands out 1.3 assists and records 2.4 steals each and every time she steps on the court. She is a joy to watch because she goes out and plays 100% all the time. She does things the right way and it is noticeable.

Maggie Bogner, Shelby

Hasn't played since middle school, but you can't tell. She is one of those energy players off of the bench who comes in and just plays her heart out defensively and gives the Whippets a sure hand on offense. She rebounds, plays defense and doesn't turn the ball over and while she won't go off for 30, she does all of those little things that a team needs each night on the court.

jfurr@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Senior Tygers host Shelby Whippets in Richland County girls basketball