Cotie McMahon To Realize Her Dream Today at WNBA Draft; Where Will She End Up?

 Cotie McMahon To Realize Her Dream Tonight at 2026 WNBA Draft; 

Where Will She End Up? 

By Deon Cash 

Cotie McMahon, one of the best players in women college basketball over the last two years, will get to realize a dream today as the 2026 WNBA Draft is set for today (7pm ET).

McMahon, who hails from the Centerville area in Dayton, Ohio, has been a force since the middle school days of AAU.  

Once McMahon got to high school, she was so dominant that it was obvious she would be going to a Top Tier college, as she racked up All-State honors while leading Centerville HS to a elite level.

The high school matchups between herself  and Bree Hall were instant classics, as Hall was a" Can't Miss Prospect" who was heading to South Carolina. 

Hall has currently completed her first season in the WNBA right now after being drafted last year. 

However, McMahon, who was a year behind Hall, showed then that she wasn't afraid of any big matchups.  

McMahon would actually leave Centerville after only 3 years, speeding up her process to get to college by graduating early. 

McMahon would eventually commit to Ohio State. 

                Courtesy of the Grant - Holy Land

Before McMahon took one shot for the Lady Buckeyes,  she would help win the U-18 National Team to a title in the FIBA World Championships in 2022. She dropped 20 points in the game, and it was at that point, that a star was born. 

If you haven't seen McMahon play, then its hard not to like her play style, as she combines a little LeBron with the ability to get anywhere on the court. 

 She has a fierce desire to do whatever she wants, and can go inside with the ability to drive or shoot the mid-range shot. She plays with a fire that her teammates and coaches love. She also has a million dollar smile and her personality is unique.  

Last but not least, her 1 on 1 ability is also elite, which the WNBA loves. 

                         Courtesy of Sportskeeda 

After three successful years at Ohio State, McMahon decided a change was needed. 

Lorenzo Smith, a S.E.Live 365 Analyst and youth training expert, is one of  McMahons' coaches and family figures.

 Smith preached to her about one thing.

"You have to be able to shoot the ball consistently, if you want to be successful at the next level." Smith told her.

So McMahon went back into the lab this summer, and worked relentlessly on her jumper and perimeter game. 

This year paid dividends as she shot the ball more efficiently from deep and handled it much more consistently than ever before. 

McMahon would decide to go to Mississippi to finish her last season, where Coach Yo would add a couple of things to her game to also help take her to another level while she set records and kept Ole Miss in the Top 25 all season long. 

McMahon would play point guard this season, and was very successful as the Lady Rebels nearly reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. McMahon would be named a All-American, and the WNBA mock boards had her getting selected as high at #7. A few experts see her landing in Connecticut at #15. 

Which brings us to today. 

McMahon will hear her name in the first round of the draft. She was invited to New York to be apart of the process, which lets everyone know she will be drafted sooner than later in the 1st round.

 The Draft show starts at 6:30, with the official 2026 WNBA Draft launching at 7pm. 

WNBA Draft is Tonight (7pm ET) 

Congratulations to McMahon, who took the road lesser traveled to get to her dream. Another girl from Dayton will be drafted, as she joins Hall and the Westbeld sisters playing in the WNBA right now from the Dayton area. 

Follow Cotie McMahon, the WNBA, & S.E.Live365 on social media for more content all season long.  

 

AAU Stars Of The Week Series Features Future Prospects, Nova Village in Week 1

 With the AAU basketball season in full swing, here are the top organizations locally and statewide in our new 

AAU Squad of the Week Spring Series.

YOUTH LEVEL - NOVA VILLAGE 

 Team Location - Columbus

Social Media - @novavillage

After falling in the national T3TV event in March, Nova Village has won 3 straight tournaments that they have competed in. Blake Kern, a 5th grader, is one of the top players in his class in Ohio and leads the team. Nova Village are ranked in the top 50 Nationally.

Nova Village also has a youth girls team that could be on the rise in a couple of years. 

Lead by Head Coach Kyle Kern, a former college hooper, "The Village" have been unstoppable of late. Can they keep up the championship streak this weekend?  

"We're very proud of what we have done so far, but we have the Under Armour circuit coming up, and we need to be prepared for that." Coach Kern stated.  

HIGH SCHOOL / PREP SCHOOL  

FUTURE PROSPECTS 

Team Location - Dayton

Social Media - @FutureProspects 

 

Future Prospects organization have won the last two events they have entered, and have had a very good start to the early AAU season. They were already a 2-Time National AAU Champion and had won 44 AAU tournaments going into this season.  

Future Prospects, which is based in Dayton, Ohio, went 21-5 in their inaugural Prep season, then won the Michigan Prep Showcase, then doubled back and won the Bearcat Classic recently.

Adrian "Spanky" Parks started the program and is the Prep School Coach. Parks starred in the City League before going to Eastern Kentucky. He would then play professionally overseas (Iceland) and in the IBL & ABA. 

His other coaches are Clifton Cook, who also starred in Dayton Public Schools before becoming a All-American at Howard College. He then would star at Texas A&M, becoming the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and 3rd Team All-Big 12 as a junior. He then would play professionally overseas. 

Tracy Miller, starred in Dayton Public Schools before headimg to Eastern Arizona to play college ball. 

Miller and Cook coach the youth and high school teams, while Parks focus is on Prep and Unsigned Seniors, a group Parks has been coaching for a couple years now. 

Some of the former Future Prospects include Wes Enis (South Florida), Prophet Johnson (Sacramento St) and Mehki Elmore (Findlay), who are all thriving in college. 

Future Prospects became a National Prep Organization this season, and had a good season to boot. They also have Elementary, Middle school & High School AAU teams as well.

Future Prospects have placed over 100 kids (101) in college in the 6 years and also had 10 kids placed in college just last year.

 They also launched a successful Border to Border Series with Michigan & Canada, which featured some of the most high profile prep schools in the country involved. It was sponsored by McDonalds, and was a huge success in the first year of existence. Look for it to make a return sometime in the near future. 

"We're excited in what we have done so far. Fellas are stepping up their game. We got a lot more to go. We want to have a great AAU season." Parks stated. 

Congratulations and good luck to the FUTURE PROSPECTS TEAM & NOVA VILLAGE throughout the AAU Season.

If you want to nominate a AAU TEAM or PLAYER for STARS OF THE WEEK Series, email us at thesportseffect@gmail.com 

FOLLOW S.E.LIVE365 for Exclusive Interviews with the rising program next week. @SELive365 

Alstork Resignation Fuels Speculation, Shows Lack of Direction at Clark State

 Alstork Resignation Shows Lack of Direction at Clark State 

By Deon Cash

Quinton Alstork, in just three seasons, lead the Clark State Eagles from the basement of the OCCAC to nearly the top of the standings. 

With it came a bevy of opportunities for the staff, players, fans, and faculty. 

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Eagles had a winning record two seasons ago.

For the first time ever this year, the Eagles won 20 games. And with it, Alstork became the fastest player to win 50 games in Clark State history. 

He also was a legitimate Top 3 candidate for OCCAC Coach of the Year.

However, due to some reasons that were not explained, Alstork was given only one real option.

To resign. 

While it was noted that one player was deemed ineligible at mid-season, Alstork was clear and concise with the board about all the dealings with the player. Brandon Cromer, the star guard from Atlanta, was deemed ineligible, and sat out the 2nd part of the season. 

And while he had a minor situation in his first season with a player (in 2024), it was quickly dissolved after a meeting with the player and the coaches. 

So, after a program that has flown under the radar for decades, they decided that Alstorks' job was "under review" after looking at the recent events, and literally not even acknowledging the real growth of the program in Alstorks' short tenure. 

While Alstork has remained silent about  everything, he was "shocked" at what was presented to him by the Athletic Director, Naz Butler. 

Since then, the entire Southwest Ohio region has been abuzz about the sudden departure of Alstork.

While some thought Alstork had another job lined up, others were really stunned to see a program, that has been irrelevant for the most part of 3 decades, get rid of the guy who helped guide their way back into the mainstream for JUCO basketball recently. 

Alstork was preparing for a monster 2026 season, when the AD told Alstork the suprising news. 

After Alstork processed the information, he decided to step down.

"I didn't really understand why, and was never given a explanation. But regardless, what we did at Clark State, nobody has ever done before. 

We put that program back on the map. And we did it with respect and Springfield pride.

 I want to thank Clark State for the chance to show that I am a top tier head coach in college and can lead any college basketball program to the next level."  

Which brings us to this point.

With the current coaching changes that have continued over the course of 3  seasons, its clear that there is no rush around Clark State Athletics to elevate the program, despite the desperate need for it in the Springfield community. 

With the board and directors continuing to get rid of high quality coaches who graduate kids and send them to the next level, what is the ultimate goal? 

Many seem to think that the answer is to just be functional. 

While that works for some coaches, Alstork felt the writing on the wall. Alstork is not a "Functional Coach."

Alstork is a "program changing coach", and everyone saw and felt that.

A myriad of coaches, even some from the OCCAC, have questioned why Alstork left. 

With the loss, who will step into the position? It sounds to be a two man race, from the reports. 

While there will be no outside coaches who have been considered, the word is that it is between coaches that were under the Alstork umbrella, which makes this story even more worth watching.

Butler, the Eagles Athletic Director, could not be reached for comment. 

Follow S.E.Live365 for more information on the story. 

Chaminade Julienne Faces St. Vincent St Mary For A State Title Today

Chaminade Julienne  Faces St. Vincent St Mary For A State Title Today

By Deon Cash 

The Chaminade-Julienne Lady Eagles have made some incredible strides in the last couple of seasons.

So much so, that everything they have done has seemed to get them to this moment.

The moments were good- and bad. From coming from nowhere to defeat Alter last year, to falling to the State champs (Purcell) in the Regionals. To reloading and now defeating a tough team from your conference to reach State (Carroll), then coming from behind to pull off another huge win.

It all brings the Lady Eagles to this moment.

A chance at a State berth facing one of the biggest teams and programs in the state.

Akron St Vincent St Mary.

The Lady Eagles have a stacked roster, including some freshman diaper candies. They have every reason to think its their time. 

But can they prove it against the most physical and experienced team they have faced yet?

The Eagles will play at 3:45 at UD Arena for the OHSAA D-3 Title. 

Parker, Pirates Boys Team, Honored By Mayor of West Carrollton Today

 Parker, Pirates Boys Team, Honored By Mayor of West Carrollton Today 

Anthony Parker, the Reigning District Coach of the Year, will be honored by the Mayor of west carrollton today. 

Parker lead the Pirates to another banner season while eclipsing the 100 win mark.

The Pirates also won the Division title in the Miami Valley League this year. 

Today the Pirates team will be honored by the Mayor and will be honored by the City with a special honor. 

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.  I'm excited to meet the mayor. We thank them for this amazing honor." Parker stated. 

Go to  West Carrollton Athletics for more info 

Follow S.E.Live365 for more content on the event @SELive365 

Big Weekend in HS Hoops as Dayton vs Cincy Districts, Girls Regional Final Games This Weekend; Full Schedule

Big Weekend in HS Hoops as Dayton vs Cincy Districts, Girls Regional Final Games This Weekend; Full Schedule 

This is the big weekend of OHSAA Districts, and with it comes a plethora of games around Southwest Ohio.  

Here are some of the biggest headlines and matchups for this weekend

(Girls) REGIONAL FINALS 

Carroll vs C-J  11am  @ Lakota West 

Which local powerhouse will get it done today? The battle of the GCL squads. 

Alter vs Purcell  730 @ Dayton 

Can Alter and Da'Shai Shepard end Purcells historic run? 

Boys DISTRICT FINALS 

Trotwood  vs Goshen  11am  UD

Can the top team in the Dayton Weekly rankings get it done? Cari Reaves is #1 in Dayton Weekly rankings.

Fairfield vs Xavier  5pm Xavier

Princeton vs Hamilton 7pm Xavier

Can the talented Princeton team move on against a tough Hamilton team?

Moeller vs Wayne 3pm Xavier

will the Warriors get a district title against the top dogs in the Nati? 

Lakota West vs Fairmont 7pm UD 

Can Fairmont upset the top team in Ohio? Lakota is ranked in top 15 Nationally. 

Aiken vs Troy  11am Xavier

Can the Trojans stop Aiken from reaching another Regional? Aiken defeated Trotwood last year. 

Hughes Vs Bellbrook 5pm UD

Can Bellbrook knock off tough Hughes team? 

Badin vs Tecumseh 1pm UD                              

Can Badin, top team in the GCL, reach another Regionals? 

Tipp vs LaSalle  3pm UD

Can the Top team in the Miami Valley League stop a tough LaSalle team? C.J. Bailey recieved District Player of the Year. Bailey was ranked #1 in Dayton Weekly rankings. 

Waynesville vs Arcaunum 6pm Xenia

Can the Top team in the SWBL stop Arcanum? 

Williamsburg vs Versailles  4pm XeniaSum Country Day vs West Liberty Salem  10am   Preble Shawnee vs North College Hill 12pm

Tri-Village Vs Oyler  2pm Middletown

Can one of  the top teams in the area defeat a #1 seed from Cincinnati area? 

Lehman Catholic vs Jackson Center 1pm Piqua

Cin Miami Valley Christian Academy  vs Botkins  3pm Piqua

Cedarville vs  Cin College Prep  11am  

SUNDAY GAMES 

Centerville vs Sycamore 1pm   Xavier

Can the Elks grab another District title for the GWOC? 

 

Wyoming vs Urbana 3pm 

Can Wyoming hoist another District championship like they did last year? 

Alter vs Christian Hills Academy 5pm Xavier  Can Knights,continue their run of consecutive District titles vs CHA? 

They have the GCL Player of the Year in Freshman William Peagler. 

Northridge vs Taft 7pm Xavier 

In the "Game of the Night", will the toughest team in Cincinnati hold off arguably the best duo and team in Northridge hoop history? This will be a electric matchup.

Follow S.E.Live365 for OHSAA TOURNAMENT CONTENT ALL MONTH LONG 

@SELive365 @daytonhighschoolsports