Veteran Redskins take on Red Riders

Game 14  JAN 17 MON 10:00 am  Fort Loramie Redskins vs. Orrville Red Riders

By Dave Mast

This game pits one of the premier Div. IV programs in the state in Fort Loramie against a great Div. III program in Orrville.

If one-on-one guard match-ups entice you, this is a game you won’t want to miss. And not only are these two battling guards nimble with the ball, both can also act as bruisers when necessary.

The Redskins, who had another solid year at 19-5 last season, will trot 5-foot-10-inch senior  Janel Olberding on to the court. The big-time track star is long and lean, possessing cat-like quickness and tremendous skills.

She will match up against Orrville’s Hannah Plybon, another 5-foot-10 guard who, as only a sophomore, has become a highly sought-after recruit. Gifted in all facets of the game, Tom Jenkins of OGBR said that this one-on-one game inside of a game should provide plenty of sparks.

“This is simply one of the best individual match-ups at the Classic this year,” said Jenkins. “Both of these kids can really bring it, and are super exciting to watch on the floor. Both of them can play all three guard spots, handle the ball and this one is going to be worth the wait.”

Olberding will be joined by senior forward Clair Ruhenkamp, an explosive athlete who can do it all, according to Redskins coach Carla Siegel. “These two are simply phenomenal athletes who know the game,” said Siegel.“They are best friends, and they love seeing each other do well, yet they are so competitive that they are constantly trying to outdo each other.”

Fort Loramie returns seven senior letter winners from last year, but will have to deal with a lack of height, with its tallest players at only 5 foot 10 inches. “We will have to do a lot of the little things against bigger teams,” said Siegel.

Mark Alberts’ Red Riders also return a nice nucleus. In addition to Hannah Plybon, who scored in double figures every game last season, her sister, senior Hillary Plybon, is back. 6-foot-2-inch Sara Aultz will man the middle for Orrville, and Maggie Davault will run the offense from the point guard spot.

Hillary is such an unselfish player,” said Alberts of his senior who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds last year. “At 6 feet tall, she can play the post or move outside. So can Aultz, who can really shoot from long range despite her size. Maggie is just a hard-nosed, tenacious defender who can shoot from deep too. We’ve got some high expectations this year.”

But the big allure of this contest definitely belongs to the two big guards. “People will want to make it to this one,” said Jenkins. “I would pay money just to watch these two play one-on-one full court. They’re that exciting.”