Tecumseh’s girls’ basketball program is at a level it hasn’t seen in a long time. After suffering through some lean years, the Arrows are among the top Division One programs in the Miami Valley.

Along with team success comes individual recognition which has been bestowed upon some of the players in Danielle Thomas’ program. Bianca Quisenberry, Lindsey Nartker and Danielle Franklin are some of the names who have shined for the Arrows to help get them to the level they are at now.

The Arrows now prepare to head into a new era with a pair of sophomores who are already among the state’s elite for their age group.

Presley Griffitts and Corinne Thomas are the sophomore duo that is ready to continue the success enjoyed by the current program. While Thomas will be featured later in the summer, Griffitts continues to showcase her skills to college coaches all across the country, and is about to leave for a big month for her future.

July is a big month for the premier players, and Griffitts is no different. She plays for the Dayton Metro organization and it didn’t take her long to find the love for basketball.

“I really enjoyed my high school year so far,” she said. “You never forget the locker room dances with your amazing team and friends.”

“You also never forget the long practices and conditioning, and the games where everybody picks each other up are unforgettable.”

Griffitts made a name for herself immediately as a freshman, and even with all of the success she achieved, for her it is all about the team.

“I wouldn’t have traded the tears or smiles our team has had over the wins or losses of any game,” Griffitts said. “Everything becomes so much more important in high school, your team is your family.”

Her basketball game continues to evolve, and after such a successful freshman season with the Arrows varsity team, she made a tough decision to help better her game that she has been working on since your younger days in New Carlisle.

“I just play basketball, and gave up volleyball this year to work on my game,” she said. “I started playing in the Arrows program when I was young, and I have had many influences such as coaches, family, trainers and the community to support me and that has given me the opportunities I have today.”

With all of her time now being spend on the basketball court, Griffitts has set some goals for her sophomore season for not only herself, but her team.

“My goals are very high for this upcoming season,” she said. “I want to average 15-20 points per game, two steals per game with five or more rebounds and five assists per game. As a whole, I want our high school team to be successful, play as a team, and be as noticed as last year.”

In order to reach those goals, she knows she will have to utilize her time this summer well, and she plans to do that.

“I am working on my driving and shooting,” Griffitts said. “With my driving, I am working on keeping my head up and use one more to get to the hole. I need to be able to also knock down shots, not just the wide open ones, but with a hand in my face.”

She also trains with former Dayton Flyer Justine Raterman and go to Relentless Basketball Training with Richard Quisenberry and Mike Mastin, both New Carlisle residents. She noted that she works out five days a week.

She received numerous honors as a freshman last year, including all-conference and District 9 all-star. She also participated in the Underclass All-Star game last season at Urbana.

“My future goal is to go to college and play basketball,” she said, not knowing what her major will be as of yet.

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