During its three-year reign as southwest Ohio’s best Division I girls high school basketball program, Fairmont’s had a couple constants. One of its best? Chelsea Welch.

A three-time first team Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division selection, Welch is arguably the GWOC’s player of the year heading into January.

“I would say so,” Fairmont coach Tim Cogan said. “She’s leading us in the right direction.”

Agreed.

The undefeated Firebirds (8-0) are ranked No. 1 in both the National Guard JJHuddle Division I Ohio Power Poll and DDN D-I girls basketball rankings, and are vying for their fourth straight state tournament appearance.

Welch leads the charge.

A Duquesne University recruit, Welch ranks in the top five in the GWOC in scoring (18 points), assists (3.9), steals (4.4) and – surprisingly as a point guard – field goal percentage (59.6).

A steady scorer who surpassed 1,000 points as a junior and has reached double-figures in 65 of 89 career games, Welch’s offensive prowess has never been in question. This season, however, Cogan has asked her to supply more answers.

“The thing about Chelsea is she has to be a playmaker for us,” Cogan said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean she has to score. If she scores – great – but she needs to make plays for us and get the ball in others hands.”

Those “others” include a pair of nationally renowned 6-foot-2 juniors Kathryn Westbeld and Makayla Waterman, and senior Alona Skipper. Additional impact players are junior Danie Shafer and sophomore Alyssa Clemente.

Welch welcomes her task.

“This year we can go a lot deeper,” she said. “Yeah, I need to score, but I need to be the quarterback. I need to get everyone touches.”

In a recent win over Centerville, Welch keyed a pivotal 9-0 third-quarter run (scored the first seven points) that led to a 69-62 win. She ended with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists.

“She was definitely a playmaker (against Centerville),” Cogan said. “She defended, made things go and handled herself with poise. She led us to victory.”

Similar performances will be needed if the Firebirds are to win their first D-I state title, something most pundits believe is attainable. Fairmont was runner-up the last two seasons.

“We have a target on our back,” Welch said. “We know that. We just have to keep moving forward, keep trying to defend our (GWOC) title and put ourselves in the best spot we can for the state tournament. That’s our focus.”