Great expectations await Bellbrook girls basketball

Four starters are returning from last season’s 21-2 team.

Bellbrook must overcome such GGCL powers as Chaminade Julienne if the Golden Eagles are to make a deep playoff run. CJ beat Bellbrook in OT in the sectional last season.

Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard Bellbrook must overcome such GGCL powers as Chaminade Julienne if the Golden Eagles are to make a deep playoff run. CJ beat Bellbrook in OT in the sectional last season.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer 3:13 PM Friday, November 25, 2011

Seeing four starters return from a 21-2 team that won the program’s 10th league title in 11 seasons, Southwestern Buckeye League opponents know the Bellbrook Golden Eagles are good.

So do the Golden Eagles.

That’s the challenge facing coach Jason Tincher. The Eagles know they have talent. Tincher just doesn’t want them to rest on it.

“We always have great expectations, but at the same time no one has been feeding it and telling the girls how good they are (in the past),” Tincher said. “We just need to stay focused on the day-to-day things.”

Bellbrook returns three All-SWBL first teamers with senior Leisha Crawford and juniors Erin Dorn and Gabrielle Etter. Crawford, a four-year starter at point guard, is joined by fellow seniors Shelby Sigman, Liz Dimbath and Kaitlin Gibson. Junior Kelly Neumann and sophomores Chea Taylor and Emily Smith are also expected to contribute.

In keeping with tradition (just like those league titles), the Eagles face a daunting schedule that includes nonleague games against Miamisburg, Xenia, Carroll and Lakota East.

Bellbrook also plays two games in the Bragging Rights Classic against White Station, Tenn., and Potter’s House Christian, Fla., a national title contender last season.

If the Eagles can navigate that schedule, then a troublesome  D-II tournament field that includes Alter and Chaminade Julienne awaits.

“I think we all went into the offseason saying we’re right there (with those teams), we just need to get over the hump,” said Tincher, whose team lost 57-55 in the sectional final to CJ, which then reached the regional final. “To get to the next level we have to beat some of the teams that have been there. That’s what we’ve set our sites on.”

5 SWBL players to watch

Leisha Crawford, Bellbrook: Four-year starter at PG has improved her outside shot and, according to coach Jason Tincher, “is playing with a ton of confidence.”

Elizabeth Haley, Oakwood: The 6-1 post is among the league’s best, averaging about 13 points last season.

Alexis Murphy, Carlisle: Averaged nearly 15 points and knocked down 30-plus 3-pointers last season.

Ciara Bates, Dixie: One of five returning starters, led Greyhounds with 15 points.

Sidney Cera, Brookville: Returns 12 points, 3 steals and 3 assists per game to a team that graduated four post players.

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