It might be scoring, rebounding, passing, defense or a combination of several of those facets. The players with those abilities are the ones coaches build their teams around.
Opposing coaches devise plans to shut them down.
Each member of the 2013 Ottawa Herald girls all-area basketball team had those qualities.
Team members are:
Jaime Mersman, senior, Anderson County
Mersman displayed her all-around athletic talent on the basketball floor. She used her 5-foot-10 frame to post up inside. She had active hands on defense.
She averaged 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and led the team in blocks (27) and charges (7).
Brianna Erhart, sophomore, Central Heights
Erhart found her groove midway through the season and her game blossomed.
She averaged 11.5 points, six assists, two rebounds and one steal per game.
“She improved more in one season than any other girl has during my tenure as the Central Heights girls basketball coach,” Viking coach Scott Lane said. “I look for her to continue to improve and take her game to the next level.”
Erhart was an all-league selection.
Corie Fischer, sophomore, Ottawa
Fischer proved to be a tough-nosed player. She played through injuries that plagued her in the mid-season portion of the season.
The sophomore ran the show for the Cyclones. She shot 48 percent from the field.
Fischer averaged 7.7 points, 2.0 steals, 1.0 assists per game.
Tyra Lyday, senior, Ottawa
Lyday was a tough matchup for opponents. She was quick off the dribble and had a soft touch. She also became a force on defense.
She averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Lyday was an all-league selection.
Alexis Roecker, senior, Ottawa
Roecker’s game improved each season. She was a four-year varsity player for the Cyclones. She was the leader. She organized Ottawa’s defense.
Roecker averaged 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She was a second-team all-league selection.
She is a two-time all-area selection in volleyball.
Darcy Bonzo, senior, Wellsville
Bonzo was an aggressive player all over the court. Her defense helped Wellsville cause turnovers in its press to fuel the offense.
She averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 steals and 2.5 rebounds per game. She shot 35 percent from the floor.
Bonzo was an all-league selection in basketball and volleyball. She was on the all-area volleyball team.
Sierra Miller, senior, West Franklin
Miller drew lots of attention from West Franklin opponents. She was West Franklin’s top inside threat.
She averaged 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
She was an all-league selection.