Central Ohio OCC

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OK think about how big of a change year this will be for the D-1 schools as the talent that graduated this past year will leave many voids at all of schools that dominated the last few years. U.A., Gahanna, Grove City, Teays? Marysville? Picks? I think all had major pieces of the pie move on to the next level... I mean these programs always have been and I am sure will be contenders but just making some talk for the slow days of winter.

But there is a Robin outside my window!!

What teams are forecasted to be the next wave for a few years and why?

 

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i see lots of changes on our end of town. Lennox girls and Ledbetter graduate, but there's some talent in Gahanna still. Some should be able to show what they have now that they get a chance to start.
Pick Central graduated alot of talent last two years, going to be a struggle i think.
North looks to be on the rebound, and if not this year, next couple of years should be good.
Is Emma J still at Groveport? toughest pitcher in the league!
Myers is gone from Grove City, but that's not the entire team

 

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Gahanna Lincoln will be just fine. Entire outfield returns including a D1 signee. A quality pitcher who has been #2 the last 2 years but has plenty of top level summer experience finally gets her chance to be #1. Returning starter at shortstop and some good young talent moving up from JV. Summer players from The Buckeye Heat, Ohio Dragons, Lasers, Ohio Classics and Heart of Ohio programs will have them well prepared.

 

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We are hoping our switch to the OCC will be an exciting one. It will be refreshing to actually play games against girls that can play.

 

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Gahanna Lincoln will be just fine. Entire outfield returns including a D1 signee. A quality pitcher who has been #2 the last 2 years but has plenty of top level summer experience finally gets her chance to be #1. Returning starter at shortstop and some good young talent moving up from JV. Summer players from The Buckeye Heat, Ohio Dragons, Lasers, Ohio Classics and Heart of Ohio programs will have them well prepared.

hope to see you at our usual matches!

 

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God I always forget about Groveport and they are usually always tough as well. We get to play them in a Tri way with Westerville North, so look forward to that...

 

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hope to see you at our usual matches!

I will be there!

 

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I believe Teays Valley will be pretty strong again this year. They lose Taylor, but there are always plenty of pitchers waiting in the wings, including her sister. Last year, I believe I was told their were 15 pitchers between the two junior highs and the high school (amazing). I am not sure who else they lose but they return Prantyl and Nestor (sorry if I spelled wrong). Many players with travel experience waiting to step up. They do have a new coach (Fortier stepped down).

Grove City will be interesting to watch, they too have a lot of depth in their program, how will the pitching be this year?

Don't forget about Central Crossing. Good pitching, good coach and I believe they return a lot of kids. They should be very strong again.

 

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Emma is still at Groveport...so I'm assuming they will be pretty good!

Central Crossing lost one senior from last years team, so they should have a chance to make some noise, pitcher is a Junior. They also have a talented freshman class coming in that has the potential to help out with depth. (2 Lasers and 1 Doomer)

I was under the impression that Hilliard Davidson returned quite a few kids, they always seem to be tough.

I know a lot of players at Grove City, and I think they will be tough even without Meyers.

I'm sure Teays Valley will be fine, Prantl is only a Junior. Don't know about the pitching, I know Taylor's sister can throw. If I remember they had like 7 or 8 lefties in the lineup last year. Maybe not that many, but it sure seemed like it!!

I know UA lost a lot of talent, but they seem to be able to find it. I am looking forward to seeing them, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them tough this year.

 

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Teays did graduate alot of good players. Many new seniors will ge the opportunity to step into the light that has had them shadowed by last years class their whole high school career. Teays is loaded at pitcher all the way back down to middle school. Speed is still there and I think some seniors will bring the power needed. This season will be decided by the new head coach and how she gets them to gel. Most, if not all play travel.

 

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As always the OCC will be tough! Looking forward to some great matchups in 2011

 

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The OCC Cardinal should see some changes at the top - maybe.

Marysville tied for first (with Olentangy Liberty) at 11-3, but also graduated girls in double figures - including three varsity pitchers. I don't know what was in the cupboard, but I could expect some rebuilding. Olentangy Liberty graduated five, including their starting pitcher and speedster shortstop, so it will also be a new-look team.

I think that Westerville Central could be the team to beat. They challenged for first before finishing 10-4, and are perhaps the best-hitting team in the group. Central graduated four seniors including one pitcher, but worked last year with at least three girls in the circle, so they retain experience.

Westerville North played .500 (7-7) in the conference after having a 20-win season and a third-place (9-4) conference finish the year before, but returns almost all of their starters. The Warriors could play spoiler, or could rise to the top.

Olentangy finished 6-8 in the conference, and graduated four starters, including one of their two starting pitchers. Last year's sophomore and junior classes saw action, so it will depend on how they have matured to see if Olentangy can advance.

Dublin Scioto had some success knocking off top teams last year - finishing 5-9 in the conference. Only two seniors graduated, so the Scioto team will enter the season with some consistency. They return both pitchers and a solid defensive staff, and have the ability to move up the stack this year.

Westerville South also finished 5-9 last year. Five seniors graduated, including the primary pitcher, so South will be rebuilding in the circle. There are some solid returning players that bring speed and hitting, so how pitching shapes up will be key to South's chances.

Dublin Jerome had a 1-13 record in the conference last year, and is also a young team, with only one player who graduated. The Celtics continue to collect experience points, but have not broken out as a contender in the conference for the last two years. The investment in young talent could pay fruit this year.

If I had to pick the top three teams to contend for the title, I would guess Westerville Central, Westerville North, and Dublin Scioto.
Olentangy and Marysville would be my wild card teams.

 

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Sideliner nice post...wish there were more interest in the OCC like in years past.

 

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Just out of curiosity - did I miss a mid-year conference change? Why is Teays Valley being discussed in an OCC thread? Yes, they will be very good as always, but it seems rather off topic.

 

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Just out of curiosity - did I miss a mid-year conference change? Why is Teays Valley being discussed in an OCC thread? Yes, they will be very good as always, but it seems rather off topic.

Probably because the the title begins with "Central Ohio" and the person who started the thread included Teays Valley in their initial post.

 

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Mtlrph, over the past several (5) years
most of us just consider TV a part of the OCC even though they technically are not. This is most likely due to them being D1 and always scheduling/competing well against the OCC and also in the year end tourney.

 

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It has been noted above that the OCC has lost some very talented players from the 2010 class, who have gone on to play at the next level at OSU, Miami, Kent St, OU, Bowling Green, Wright St ect. Teams such as Grove City, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Pick Central ect. must now reload with new talent...

 

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To spice things up and catch the GWOC in number of posts...lol. Who are some of the talented incoming freshmen that must fill the holes left to graduation?

 

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Thanks, Bam and Bink, for the kind explanations! Makes a lot of sense when you put it that way.

Enjoy the season, everyone!

 

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I don't see the Lancaster Gales mentioned here...Hmmm...that's ok.