Madison Lady Rams hope to continue impressive year for girls sports

MADISON TOWNSHIP - There is some magic in the Madison Lady Rams athletic program right now.

After a run to the state finals in soccer, the girls basketball team hopes it can continue that magical run on the hardwood this winter.

With six returning letter winners from last year's 13-11 team, there is no reason it can't.

The Lady Rams bring back three starters from last year's team after losing two very good players in Brooklynn Arnold and Rebecca Phelps to graduation. 

The Lady Rams have talent 1-5 in the starting lineup. Senior point guard Jenna Wigton will be the floor general this season after scoring five points and adding 1.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds a game last season.

"Jenna is a very experienced guard that can put the ball in the hoop," Madison coach Brian Davis said. "Her time has come to take a lead role within the offense. She can expand the court with her 3-point range."

She is joined by senior 4-year starter Leah Boggs in the backcourt. Boggs averaged 8.5 points, four steals and 3.5 rebounds on her way to honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors last season.

"Leah is so talented and our best on-ball defender," Davis said. "She is a 4-year starter and should break the school's all-time steals record. She is our team captain and probably the best defender in the area and can score in double digits on the offensive end."

Junior guard Chesney Davis also returns after a successful sophomore season. She averaged 10 points, 2.5 steals and two blocks a game last season which earned her second team All-OCC, honorable mention District 6 and honorable mention Northwest District honors.

"Chesney is a very athletic guard that will stuff the stat sheet and can defend multiple positions," Davis said. "She is a very well-rounded player with a high basketball IQ."

Junior Kari Eckenwiler is also back in the starting lineup, adding athleticism to the front court. She scored seven points, added five rebounds and 1.5 steals a game last season as a sophomore.

"Kari is a very athletic post/wing player for us who will be taking a larger role on the offensive end," Davis said. "She shot better than 40% last season and has the ability to put up a double-double every night."

Rounding out the starting lineup is senior Hannah Schmidt, who averaged two points and two rebounds in a limited role last season. Senior Kalie Blaising, juniors Taylor Russell and Janutica Bradley and sophomores Faith Kuhn, Abby Cox and Alexsia Davis add depth and athleticism to the Lady Rams roster.

The Lady Rams got a late start to their preseason after the long soccer season where all but two starters played on the state runner-up team. 

"The X-factor will be how quickly we can get up to speed after the late start due to soccer," Davis said. "We also have to replace two All-Conference starters and with little time to get in a good rhythm, we have to gel fast. When we do, we can be a dangerous team."

With four of the six returning letter winners coming off the state soccer run, the Lady Rams have plenty of leadership and big-game experience.

"We have a lot of athleticism and have the ability to create turnovers and run the floor in transition," Davis said. "We also have a lot of leadership with three seniors and three juniors who all have played a lot of minutes. This team has a winning attitude with four girls being All-Conference soccer players and one being an All-Ohio softball player (Boggs). This competitive group of girls will not back down from any challenge."

The Lady Rams finished in second place in the Ohio Cardinal Conference last season behind Wooster and will look to take over the top spot this season.

They kick off the season on Friday at home against Shelby.

jfurr@gannett.com

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Twitter: @JakeFurr11