1st YEAR COACH HAS LADY SCOTS ON A ROLL
Updated: Jan 24, 2022
NEW COACH HAS MADE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT AT 4841 IN FIRST SEASON
Columbus Ohio- Walnut Ridge Head coach Chauncey Cumberlander was given a huge task, being handed the reigns to the struggling Walnut Ridge girls program just weeks before the season was set to start.
The Lady Scots who had only 1 returning player from a 2020-21 season that was derailed by the Covid pandemic did not have expectations of winning many games this season but has been the Suprise team in the City League thus far.
Sitting at 7-7 with 5 regular season games left, the young but scrappy Lady Scots have already surpassed most people's expectations with losses only to Columbus Africentric, Columbus Centennial and Columbus Eastmoor and are poised to possibly go 500 or better.
"Our goal coming into the season was to win 10 games which i knew would be tough but my mentality in coaching is to set the bar high and get to working towards the goal' says Cumberlander who understands that it takes time to rebuild, but is highly enthusiastic at the ground they've been able to cover.
The Lady Scots have had a breakout star this season in 2023 forward Taliyah Morgan who is currently averaging an amazing 15pts and 15.5 rebounds a game which is among the Division I leaders in the State. " Coach Cumberlander has given me a whole new outlook on Basketball" says Morgan who played for Coach Cumberlander in Middle School before reuniting this season at Walnut Ridge.
The other play makers for Ridge are (2024) G/W Nyah Hubbard and sister Natalie Hubbard (2025) PG whom both are transfers from Dayton Wayne who are young but have played extremely well this season.
Not always does new blood bring change but in the case of Coach Chauncey Cumberlander this change is paying off, after spending a little time at 4841 and seeing firsthand the hard work and dedication being put in by the Lady Scots truly shows the impact of this coaching hire, these girls have bought in early so we expect big things from this program down the road.