Former OU basketball players take the court abroad … PG 6 Jason Preston steps in front of the camera … PG 8 Women’s basketball rises in popularity … PG 14
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THEPOSTATHENS.COM
Basketball Edition FEBRUARY 11, 2025
VOLUME 115, ISSUE 20
Basketball inspires togetherness, community Every week, Ohio’s basketball teams are subject to a roaring, raucous crowd of fans filling The Convo. The Ohio fandom, consisting of OU students and Athens locals of all different backgrounds, come together to cheer on their teams. Sports have always been a unifier within a community. In Athens, the sport that has brought people together the most is basketball. Although the sport has taken place in several venues and hosted hundreds of players since its inaugural season at OU in 1907-08, basketball has always been something fans can rally around. During the 2024-25 season, fans have had the opportunity to rally around the preseason No. 1 team for the men and a coach that has surpassed 200 career wins for the women. Through all 118 years of basketball at Ohio, there’s always been a story that Athens residents get to be a part of. In the last handful of years, that culture has only strengthened as winning has become part of it. In the past decade, both men’s and women’s teams have made the NCAA Tournament, with the men’s team forcing a historic upset over Virginia in 2021. Ohio fans have witnessed incredible moments in The Convo, and regardless of the world outside its walls will hapily put everything aside to cheer on
their teams. With two historically successful programs with inspiring student-athletes on each roster, fans have all the more reason to cheer even louder. Basketball unifies young people to embrace activity. With public, free-to-access courts in most neighborhoods, a ball is the only required purchase. Especially with girls, given the recent surge in popularity for women’s basketball, involvement in youth sports is increasing. Since the turn of the century, attending sporting events has come to be about so much more than just the game. Whether you care about the result of what’s happening on the court or not, has become less important as athletic programs turn their focus to fan engagement. Attending an Ohio basketball game at The Convo brings fans a lively atmosphere. They can interact with other fans and local businesses. When basketball season is at its peak, the games become a celebration of Athens. Whether it’s bringing the community of Athens together to cheer on its teams or inspiring young fans to get involved in a sport themselves, basketball has been an integral part of fostering a feeling of togetherness at OU and the surrounding area.
LOGAN ADAMS & ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITORS Kennedi Watkins (5) pulls up for three against Bellarmine, Nov 10, 2024. (REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
2025
Where each team stands as the season winds down
It has been a season of expectations for both Ohio basketball teams. For the men’s team, it came in the near-unanimous preseason No. 1, according to the Mid-American Conference Coaches Poll, with three Preseason All-MAC Selectees in AJ Clayton, AJ Brown and Shereef Mitchell. For the women’s team, it showed improvement and promise after a six-win season in 2022-23. Although the men’s team has not separated itself as the conference’s top contender, it hasn’t been without promise through adversity. The team remains a contender in the MAC, with only one loss in The Convo all season. Ohio coach Jeff Boals has gotten the most out of each player on his roster as the team tries to peak in the season’s final nine games. Despite missing three games with injury, senior AJ Clayton is back in action and has had his best year to date. Clayton, who surpassed 1,000 career points with the Bobcats Jan. 11, has looked like a real candidate for MAC Player of the Year. Veteran leader Shereef Mitchell has also dealt with injuries but is back to form. In his last year of eligibility, he hopes to help lead the Bobcats to a MAC Tournament run. Junior Jackson Paveletzke is another Ohio transfer portal success story. The former Iowa State guard has been the team’s lead ball handler and one of the MAC’s most effective playmakers in his breakout year. Redshirt sophomore AJ Brown has also experienced a breakout, getting an opportunity to shine, and succeeding in doing so. Arguably the biggest surprise of the season has been freshman Elijah Elliott’s breakout. Elliott, who didn’t play in Ohio’s season opener against James Madison, has been a starter in the team’s last four. Despite an overall frustrating season for the women’s team, players and coaches alike have left their mark in the record books and created memorable moments for Ohio fans. Most notably, Ohio coach Bob Boldon reached his 200th career win with Ohio Jan. 25 against Eastern Michigan. Veteran leader Kennedi Watkins also reached a career milestone this season, scoring her 1,000th career point Jan. 22 against Buffalo. Ohio standout Bailey Tabeling has had a successful sophomore campaign, recording a career-high 28 points Jan. 4 against Northern Illinois. Fellow sophomore Asiah Baxter has improved more than anyone for Ohio, going from a freshman who didn’t get much playing time to a sophomore who can be counted on. After losing key players, the Ohio women’s team reloaded its roster with high-contributing freshmen and transfers. True freshman Gigi Bower has been among the best of the bunch this season, tallying 11 starts in her first collegiate season. Ohio’s transfers, Anyssa Jones and Aliyah McWhorter, have made their presence felt this season, each finding themselves in the starting lineup at different points in the year. The story of the 2024-25 season has yet to conclude, but each team has had reasons for excitement this year. Whether the teams’ journeys end in Cleveland or the NCAA Tournament, it’s been a year to remember for Ohio basketball.