By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Basketball games are filled with all kinds of winning plays.

The most noticeable are the points scored and while those hold a high level of importance, they are not the only plays that have an impact on wins and losses.

There are many, many more.

And most have nothing to do with the actual act of scoring.

They are simply known as basketball plays — and coaches love them.

Rebounds, deflected passes, bumping cutters.

Proper passes into the shooting pocket, screens off the ball, moving without the ball.

Being the first on the floor for a loose ball, grabbing a bouncing ball instead of dribbling it, making the extra pass.

Disciplined eyes in the huddle, leadership in the locker room, leadership in the classroom.

Being a vocal leader, being a leader by example, being a positive leader in the midst of a game’s tough moment or even after losses.

Positive body language no matter what, the one with an uplifting message to a dejected teammate, the first to run over to pick up a teammate on the floor.

None of these basketball plays are part of a box score, but they have just as much to do with a win, if not more.

And the more of these types of players a team has, the more wins they will collect and the harder they will play.

These players are the ones who believe anything is possible, then get their teammates to believe the same thing.

They are the glue that holds a team together — no matter what the circumstances are.

It is not an easy description to fit into, but these players do.

I proudly present my 13th annual All-Glue Girl Basketball Team.

REESE WITTING

Aurora, sophomore, 5-foot-11, forward

Coach Erika Greenberg: “Reese has been a huge part of our success so far this season, helping our team manage the paint. She plays excellent defense on our opponents post players and works extremely hard on the offensive and defensive boards. Reese moves well off the ball, setting great screens and cutting to the rim. She has put a lot of time and energy in this off-season, improving her game and getting stronger. We are so excited to continue watching her grow throughout her career.”

KATRINA RICHARDS

Crestwood, senior, 5-foot-8, forward

Coach TJ Henderson: “Katrina is the definition of a true glue girl, the one who keeps everything running smoothly even when it doesn’t show up in the box score. She does all the little things that make our team tick: Constant communication on defense, relentless effort and an unselfish, team-first mindset every time she steps on the floor. Katrina is always talking, directing traffic and making sure everyone is in the right spot, which elevates the play of those around her. She gives 100 percent effort in everything she does and is always focused on doing whatever it takes to help her teammates succeed. Her impact goes far beyond statistics, and our team is better because of her leadership, energy, and commitment to the group.”

NEMA McAMIS

Field, senior, 5-foot-9, forward

Coach John Misenko: “Nema may not score a lot of points, but she does so many other things for us. She is a good rebounder, plays defense, causes turnovers and is a vocal leader for us. She is also tasked with guarding our opponent’s best post player.”

KAELYN TASKER

Garfield, senior, 5-foot-3, guard

Coach Aaron Gilbert: “Kae has been an important part of the program for several years now, but has always been that dependable player on and off the court. Her voice can always be heard on the court supporting her teammates or communicating with them about the various situations we find ourselves in throughout the game. She is a key piece to our success and when she plays well, we play well.”

LINDSAY WILLS

Kent Roosevelt, senior, 5-foot-8, forward

Coach Craig Foreman: “Lindsay is a player who truly holds the team together in her own way.  She has led our team in scoring one night, rebounding one night, steals one night — whatever she needs to do to help the team. Her quiet leadership is respected by her teammates as she finds ways to do all of the little things to make things go. With our offensive sets predicated on making great cuts, Lindsay is one of the best and most active. No matter what is needed that Game Day, Lindsay will be ready to go and play her heart out — a trait that exemplifies the “all-glue” label.  ur success owes a huge debt to the traits that Lindsay brings to the program.”

EDEN CAMERON

Mogadore, senior, 5-foot-6, forward

Coach Jennifer Ritch: “Eden is the quintessential teammate. She is willing to do all the things that go unnoticed in the stats and she always gives 110 percent at practice, during games and also in the classroom. She has turned herself into one of our best defenders and as one of our co-captains, I turn to her as a second coach on the floor many times. She knows the game and is extremely intelligent about basketball. She is also a player who responds to coaching and always tries to make adjustments to better herself and her teammates. She always keeps a positive attitude and tries to boost her teammates and encourage them along the way. She is an outstanding young woman and deserves the recognition for all her hard work and dedication to Mogadore Girls Basketball.”

SAVANNA McKEOWN

Ravenna, sophomore, 5-foot-7, sophomore

Coach Davante McKinney: “Day in and day out, Savannah shows up to practice and gives her all. Her effort and dedication to getting better is noticed by all of her coaches. Whether it’s short or long minutes, I know that she will give maximum effort on the court.”

SOPHI SMITH

Rootstown, junior, 5-foot-7, forward

Coach Joe Leonard: “Sophi is an excellent defender, and she has a high basketball IQ. She hustles, rebounds and defends other teams bigs. She is an excellent passer, and she does all the dirty work that only coaches will notice.”

BAILEY MORRIS

Southeast, senior, 5-foot-6, guard

Coach Ashley Callihan: “Bailey is an outstanding teammate and is a leader for this team on and off the court. Other players look up to her not just because of her experience, but because they see the amount of work she puts in every day. There is no job too big or small for Bailey, and she does whatever it takes to make her team successful. Bailey generates energy for her team by making hustle plays like boxing out, diving for loose balls, and taking charges.”

SARA KOYAN

Streetsboro, junior, 5-foot-9, forward

Coach Carl Singer: “Basketball is not Sara’s first sport, as she is an outstanding soccer player, but her impact on the basketball court is very important to our team. At a time where so many kids feel the need to specialize in a sport, Sara is a great example of why it’s so beneficial to play multiple sports. Being a great teammate, learning what it takes to win and understanding how to practice to continue to improve are skills that crossover to all sports. Sara brings all of those traits to our team, which make her the perfect glue person. She does a lot of things that won’t show up on the stat sheet, but one that does is “charges taken” and that is a stat that has been consistent for a lot of the glue players we have had. Everything that goes into taking a charge is about being a great teammate and making winning plays. Sara continues to become a better basketball player everytime she is on the court and we know she will continue to make winning plays for us.”

JADE MARTINS

Waterloo, senior, 5-foot-3, guard

Coach Nicole Lewis: “Jade has high energy and is a great all-around team mate. She is always looking for an open teammate and always striving to do her best. She gives 110 percent effort every game and practice.”

MAKENZI BLOCKINGER

Windham, junior, 5-foot-6, guard

Coach Jim Collins: “Makenzie plays fast and physical, and she does all the little things to help the team be better.”