Page 6 - Dresden Buzz 08-23-24

PAGE 6 | SPORTS AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
Scottie football kicks off 2024 season with McCarthy

Meadowbrook home opener named Head

Pre-season scrimmages show promise for experienced squad Coach for
by Gregg Meadows Muskingum
Women’s
Basketball

submitted

The Muskingum University Athletic
Department has named Alison McCar-
thy as head coach of the women’s bas-
ketball program.
McCarthy brings a wealth of bas-
ketball experience to Muskingum. Most
recently, she was an assistant coach
for the Rose Hulman women’s basket-
ball team and was honored with the
WeCOACH Impact Award. This award is
given to a class member who leads by
example, is committed to encouraging
others’ success, and is unwaveringly
dedicated to her own personal and pro-
fessional achievement. This past sea-
son, McCarthy helped lead the Fightin’
Engineers to a 12-win campaign and
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Confer-
ence Tournament appearance.
“Alison quickly rose to the top of this
national search based on her past expe-
riences in the coaching profession, both
on the women’s and men’s side of the
game, said Muskingum Director of Ath-
The Scotties and visiting West Holmes Knights go at it in their August 10 scrimmage at Jack Anderson Stadium. Gregg Meadows letics Kari Winters. “As we got deeper
into the search process and spent more
Hopes are high for the upcoming ball, the Scotties took a 10-0 lead on All-Ohio returning senior quarterback time with Coach McCarthy, we realized
season for fifth-year Tri-Valley football the road at Columbus Desales into the Max Lyall tossed touchdown passes to that her values were in line with our
coach Cam West and his Scotties, who fourth quarter, but then saw the host Landon Clapper, Ryan Lamonica, and department culture and that she was
return a majority of starters at the skill Stallions find the end zone three times Keaton Hahn. extremely passionate about the game
positions - and on both sides of the line in the fourth quarter to steal away a 21- In the final pre-season test at Wat- of basketball. I am looking forward
of scrimmage as well - from last year’s 17 win. kins Memorial, the Scotties and host to watching her develop relationships
9-3 Muskingum Valley League title The Scotties would rout Licking Warriors played two quarters of live ac- within our current roster and around our
team. Heights 42-7 the next week in the home tion - with the scoreboard clock running campus community. We are excited to
And if all of that experience - and a opener, but fall in a Week 3 visit - 24- - with each team scoring four times for a watch her lead our young women into
pair of solid performances in pre-season 14 - at Clinton Massie, and entered the 28-28 stalemate. the future!”
scrimmages vs. West Holmes and Wat- fourth game of the 2023 season with an Lyall continued his hot pre-season Before her tenure at Rose Hulman,
kins Memorial - are any indication, the uncharacteristic 1-2 record. hand with Scottie receivers, as junior McCarthy honed her coaching skills
black-and-gold of Tri-Valley may not only But Tri-Valley tackled their next eight Ryan Lamonica hauled in three scor- for an impressive 19 years at the high
be hoisting up another MVL champion- straight opponents, including a 49-12 ing aerials (the final one a dandy that school level. Her journey began in 1999
ship banner, but perhaps some overdue post-season opening win over Buckeye stretched out his 6’3” frame), and fellow as the head girls’ basketball coach at
post-season hardware as well. Valley at Jack Anderson Stadium, before junior Kade Hindel a 30-yard six-pointer. Holmes High School in Kentucky. McCar-
On Friday night, August 23 in Dres- falling to unbeaten Granville 32-29 on Senior Keaton Hahn was the recipient thy’s leadership was also felt at Simon
den at fabled Jack Anderson Stadium, the Blue Aces’ home field in a Week 12 of several drive-controlling Lyall comple- Kenton High School (Ky.), Beechwood
Tri-Valley kicks off its 59th season of shootout. tions as well in the scrimmage. High School (Ky.), and Woodward High
Scottie football, when they host the Coach West and his Scottie foot- The Scotties will take the field on School (Ohio), where she served as head
Meadowbrook Colts, from the MVL ballers - who will be seeking the school’s Friday night, Aug. 23 in the home open- girls’ basketball coach. Furthermore,
Small School Division. 14th conference crown this season - er with a boatload of experience - 18 re- McCarthy expanded her coaching rep-
The Colts are coming off a 4-6 sea- tuned up for their 2024 campaign with turning letter winners from last season, ertoire as Woodward’s assistant boys’
son and looking for a repeat of last- an Aug. 10 scrimmage at home vs. West and 18 seniors - so expectations are in- basketball coach.
year’s season-opening successful out- Holmes, then a Thursday night, Aug. 15 deed high for this year’s team. “I would like to thank President Dr.
ing, when they defeated the visiting final pre-season look at Watkins Memo- Kick-off for the Friday night, August Sue Hasseler, Director of Athletics Kari
Maysville Panthers by a 20-17 score. rial. 23 season opener vs. Meadowbrook at Winters, and the search committee for
In the 2023 season opener for TV foot- In the scrimmage vs. West Holmes, Jack Anderson Stadium is set for 7:00 the opportunity to lead the women’s
p.m. basketball program at Muskingum Uni-
versity,” said McCarthy. “I am excited
about working at an institution rich with
academic and athletic tradition. It is a
Purchase It’s A Fact: privilege to be able to teach life lessons,
through the game of basketball, that ex-
How dominant in MVL football and the tends far beyond the court. I look forward
to cultivating a positive and supportive
Your Copy post-season has Tri-Valley Football been environment for our student-athletes to
in the past two decades?
thrive and reach their full potential. Go
Consider this: Flash back 20 years ago, Muskies!”
at the Next just ahead of the 2004 TVHS Football McCarthy’s love for basketball was
season. (Which just happened to be not only evident in her coaching but also
Home Game! Coach Justin Buttermore’s first season in her playing days at Northern Ken-
tucky University. Her dedication to the
in Dresden.) Up until that point, the
Scotties owned just 1 MVL gridiron title sport was recognized when she was in-
(the 1989 Jim Kaser-coached champs) ducted into the Holmes High School Hall
100% Of the proceeds benefit the and no post season pigskin playoff ap- of Fame in 2017 and the Northern Ken-
tucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Tri-Valley Touchdown Club. pearances in the school’s history. Fast McCarthy earned her bachelor’s de-
forward 20 years later, and the Scotties
now have a total of 13 Muskingum Val- gree in health and physical education
ley League championships and an even from Northern Kentucky.
more astounding 15 OHSAA state play-
off appearances, including 2017’s state-
runnerup team!