With girls basketball getting underway Friday, Bradford and Newton girls basketball teams are ready for their initial season in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference.

BRADFORD

Chris Besecker returns as the coach.

The Railroaders were 20-6 a year ago and advanced to the district finals.

They will be moving from the CCC to the WOAC.

Bradford will again be led by senior guard Austy Miller.

Miller averaged almost 25 points a game last year and has already passed the 1,000-point mark.

Two other key threats from long range returning are senior guards Abby Fike and Rylee Canan.

Another key guard will be Isabella Hamilton, while Brooklyn Crickmore returns inside to lead the post players.

Bradford will run patient half-court sets on offense and mix things up on defense, playing both man and zone.

Bradford will face some new challenges in the WOAC, as well as some familiar foes.

“Tri Village is the favorite,” Besecker said. “Arcanum and Preble Shawnee will be near the top. “

NEWTON

Ryan Fiely returns as coach of the Indians.

Newton was 6-16 a year ago and is making the move from the CCC to the WOAC.

The returning letterwinners include guards Camryn Gleason, Emma Szakal and Reese Hess and post player Mercedes Craig.

Another key guard will be Brooke Hines.

The Indians will feature a lot of high pick and rolls and transition on offense and a half-court man defense, picking up at full court at times.

“The conference has some very talented teams at the top, but I see us fitting in the second tier of teams battling for the top half of the conference,” Fiely said.