Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ZANESVILLE — In the 50-year history of Unioto’s girls basketball program, the Shermans have won nine district championships.
Three of those nine have been captured in the past four years alone.
And, it’s certainly no coincidence that Milee Smith is polishing off her fourth year in the program.
The area has been accustomed to seeing Unioto’s superstar senior light up nets and will her teammates to victory. But on Saturday, she may have just turned in an all-time performance.
In a Division IV district championship game at Zanesville High School, Smith finished with 34 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and four steals.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Oh, and for good measure, she netted the go-ahead basket with just 28 seconds left in a 55-51 win over Steubenville.
“Just adding to her legacy,” Unioto coach Jeff Miller said. “I’ve said it several times, but she’s the best player I’ve seen in Southern Ohio in a long time. Everybody in the gym knew where we wanted the ball to go and she was not going to be denied. I truly think her mindset is that she’s not going to let her teammates down. She wants her teammates to experience the journey along with her.”
When Unioto (23-2) won last year’s district crown, the Shermans did so with a group of experienced veterans.
And this year, some of those veterans indeed returned to the team’s starting lineup.
But some of the team’s most important contributors have seen more varsity minutes than they ever have. They’ve had to adjust to the speed of the game and they’ve had to find their fit with their returning counterparts.
And that’s exactly what has made this year’s run so special.
“The exciting thing with this one is doing it with some new blood,” Miller said. “Several of our veterans have been there and done that, but to find a way to intertwine a large group of seniors and sophomores has been special.”
Throughout Saturday’s victory, Unioto held a lead.
The Shermans used a 24-point first quarter showing to grab a double-digit lead and held Steubenville (23-2) at bay, for the most part, until the final eight minutes.
But the Big Red, who was the top seed in the East District after setting the school record for wins in a season, continued to linger.
In the final four minutes of the game, Unioto saw an eight-point lead disintegrate. But after Steubenville drew even for the first time since midway through the first quarter, Smith took matters into her own hands.
The University of Dayton signee scored with 28 seconds left to put the Shermans ahead for good before they sealed the deal on a second consecutive district championship.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
“I thought we had several chances to slam the door on them but Steubenville just wouldn’t go away,” Miller said. “I’m really proud of the girls for battling for 32 minutes and finding a way to finish it off.”
The Big Red was led by Nylah McShan, who ended the day with 17 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Bailee Beall also chipped in with nine points on three triples.
Following Smith’s herculean effort was Keyairah Bead, who scored 10 points, and Charlotte Dennis, who had seven points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Shermans advance to a Division III regional semifinal at 6 p.m., Thursday at Ohio Dominican University.
They’ll match up with Toledo Central Catholic, who defeated Mansfield Madison Comprehensive by a 31-21 tally. The Fighting Irish will enter that contest with an overall record of 16-8.
“It’s time to find a way to get another win,” Miller said. “We will be locked in mentally and prepared to make it happen. The girls believe in each other, and as long as they have that mindset, I’ll go to battle with this group any day.”
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