David Smalley measured Kate Ball by a factor not on the stat sheet.
ƵHer IQ is off the charts,Ƶ said Smalley, the University of Rio GrandeƵs womenƵs basketball coach.
Ball, Chesapeake High SchoolƵs leading scorer this season, signed with the RedStorm Monday. Smalley said significant graduation losses, including at both guards, will offer Ball a chance to play early.
ƵItƵs wide open for Kate to come in,Ƶ Smalley said. ƵSheƵs got quickness and speed and we like to get up and down the floor. Ƶ soon as she learns our system, I think great things are going to happen for this young lady. She has the ability to score and sees the floor extremely well.Ƶ
Ball averaged 15.5 points per game last season in earning first-team The Herald-Dispatch All Tri-State honors.
Ball said she loves Rio Grande and looks forward to playing there.
ƵI think itƵs a special program,Ƶ Ball said. ƵIƵm excited. I love the coaches. I love the program.Ƶ
Ball, who said sheƵll major in occupational therapy, will play for someone other than her dad, Chris, the PanthersƵ head coach, for the first time in four years. She said sheƵll miss him.
ƵThatƵs going to be different,Ƶ Kate Ball said. ƵI feel like I might be a little more relaxed, honestly. I know itƵs college and itƵs big time, but IƵm excited for the next step.Ƶ
Ball also recently a $1,000 scholarship from the Ohio District 13 Basketball Coaches Ƶsociation.
AMAZING STATS OF THE WEEK: Cabell Midland softball smacked nine extra-base hits in a 19-4 win over South Charleston.
Ironton St. Joe beat Tolsia 14-6 in baseball despite walking 11 Rebels. Portsmouth Clay freshman softballer Peep Shepard hurled a no-hitter in a 10-0 victory over Western Pike. South Point shot putter Derrick Taylor ranks second in the nation with a throw of 67 feet, 6 inches.
COACH SPEAK: Former Ƶhland basketball player Adam Howard was hired as an assistant coach at North Carolina State.
Mallory Massie is the new head volleyball coach at River Valley. Former Fairland football coach Rashad Jackson is the new assistant head coach at West Virginia State University.
IRISH SLATE SET: Huntington St. Joe, set to play its first season of football since before World War II, revealed its schedule for next season.
The Irish open Aug. 29 at Portsmouth Notre Dame, visit Buffalo Sept. 12, entertain Clay-Battelle Sept. 19, are home to Belpre Sept. 26, play host to Hannan Oct. 3, go to Wheeling Central Oct. 10, come home to play Tolsia Oct. 17, visit Sherman Oct. 24, entertain Weirton Madonna Oct. 31 and go to Tug Valley Nov. 7.
CHESAPEAKE HALL OF FAME: Chesapeake announced its 2025 hall of fame class.
Nathan Copley, Chris Lovely, Austin McMaster, Larry Pemberton and Kyle Webb are members of the class.
Recruiting roundup
SIGNINGS: Portsmouth Notre Dame volleyballƵs Bree Hicks (Shawnee State).
COMMITMENTS: George Washington girls basketballƵs Siya Smith (Concord).
OFFERS: Huntington High footballƵs Deuce Olden (Eastern Kentucky). Former Huntington High basketball player Andrew Shull (Milligan).
VISITS: Huntington High footballƵs Bryce Winkfield (Fairmont State).
TRANSFERS: Former Poca basketball star Isaac McKneely from Virginia to Louisville.
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES: Fairland basketballƵs Brody Buchanan was selected to play in the Ohio North-South all-star basketball game April 24-25 in Columbus.
Former Lincoln County softball standout Meghan Stump of Glenville State is on the NCAA Division II pitcher of the year watch list. Lawrence County baseballƵs Gray Derifield stole six bases against Halls (Tennessee).
Former Fairland pitcher Kaylee Salyer of Western Michigan won her first collegiate game last week. The freshman struck out eight in a complete game 5-2 win over Buffalo. Former Fairland runner Joe Stewart will be inducted into the Shawnee State University hall of fame.
Ƶhland basketballƵs Zander Carter won a $1,000 Larry Conley Ultimate Teammate scholarship. Former Ironton pitcher Jon Wylie of Xavier University picked up his first college save April 1 against Wright State.
