Bellevue, Margaretta headed back to Classic in the Country

The first day of girls basketball practice is just more than a month away. Schedules are made well in advance when the balls start dribbling October 30. The Classic in the Country, one of the most well-known showcase events that takes place every January, made its schedule official last week. Bellevue and Margaretta will once again make the trek to Berlin, Ohio, to participate when the event takes place January 16-18, 2027, around Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The schools will get the chance to play in front of dozens of college coaches ranging from high-level Division I to Division III and NAIA. The Lady Red, who finished 29-1 and state runner-up in Division IV to Laurel, take on Division I powerhouse Wadsworth at noon Sunday, Jan. 17. The Grizzles were 24-3 last year, losing in the state semifinals to Cincinnati Princeton. "Any time you get a chance to play a program that's historically very good in a big-time environment, it's a bonus and what our team needs to get ready for the tournament grind," Bellevue coach Kory Santoro said. "Being invited to play just shows you people respect your program and players." Bellevue must replace 6-foot-3 Youngstown State freshman Kaitlyn Turinsky, but the Lady Red return four starters: seniors Ellie Freitag and Carrington Savage, junior Mazie Gracemyer and sophomore Ava Jakubcin-Theis. Wadsworth's leading scorer in the state semifinal was Lauren Decker, but she graduated. The Grizzles bring back junior Natalie Maddox (six points, 10 rebounds vs. Princeton) and sophomore Lyndigray Tetzel (seven points vs. Princeton). "The experience the girls gain from this event is very beneficial as they get to play big-time teams on a big stage with college coaches sitting on each end of the baseline watching every move you make," Santoro said. Wadsworth has been a staple at CITC for more than a decade. Last year, the Grizzles entered as the No. 1 team in Division I and defeated Carrolton 63-26 in the first game of the event. Later that evening, Bellevue made it two wins in a row at CITC with a 46-39 win over host Berlin Hiland. It is a step up in competition at CITC for the Lady Red. In 2024, Bellevue played a Division VII team before facing the Division VI Hawks last season. "Lot of teams that play in this event have gone on to win state titles," Santoro said. Margaretta will be making its ninth straight appearance at CITC when it faces Tuscarawas Valley at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. The Polar Bears were 26-2 a season ago, losing in the Division VI state semifinals. Tusky Valley was 22-5, falling in a Division V regional final to eventual state champion Portsmouth. "It is an extreme honor and privilege to be participating in CITC once again," Margaretta coach Ray Neill said. "To be invited to play in this very special event never gets old and is a testament to our program as a whole and to the talent of our players individually." Margaretta defeated Division I Newark at last year's event, 39-36. "The opportunity to play elite competition in front of crowds from all over the state of Ohio and to do this with a large number of college basketball coaches in attendance is an opportunity we take great pride in and never take for granted," Neill said. "It rewards our student athletes for their commitment and dedication to the sport they play." The Polar Bears graduated four senior starters in Cassidy Lane, Kenadie Saylor, Lillian Belak and Ellyse Schaefer. Margaretta has key pieces back in guards Ashlyn Kingsborough, Renna Keller, Ellaynah Schaefer and Thea Wybensinger, who is eligible to play the entire season. The Trojans return their top three leading scorers in seniors Elli Wallick (14.3 points per game), Brennen Reichman (12 PPG) and Aleah Wozniak (8 PPG). "Win or lose, we look at it as a great life experience and a special team bonding experience as we always try to make it a two- or three-night trip which allows our girls to enjoy some shopping time and to partake in some really good Amish food," Neill said. "We thank the people who do so much to make this event happen and we thank our MHS administration and our MHS community for their support in our participation."