Dayton Baller, Centerville Legend Cotie McMahon Leads USA U18 Team to Gold Medal
By Deon Cash
Cotie McMahon, one of the top hoopers in the initial girls HS Class of 2022, is on the fast track to being great at the next level as she led the Team USA U-18 girls squad to a gold medal with a 20-point win in the Gold Medal game.
McMahon dropped a game high 22 points to go with 3 dimes and a couple of boards as she dominated the Championship game for Team USA, and in reality, the entire tournament.
McMahon was a highlight reel of a junior at Centerville, when it had been reported she was thinking about entering college a year early. At the time, the Elks were a major force, but they lost in the District Finals in McMahon's junior season, which was their most talented team.
Cotie and her family would have a few discussions about the options, and eventually, she would make a decision, one that would change her career and life.
Ohio State was "All In"with McMahon and with good reason, as she had developed her game and physicality at a D-1 college level by her junior year at Centerville. It was easy to see when she and Bree Hall clashed, as they were the centerpieces of a incredible year of HS hoops in Dayton in 2020-21.
Hall decided on South Carolina, while McMahon chose OSU. Then it was reported McMahon would be skipping her senior year, which was unheard of, especially with what the Elks had coming back.
But Cotie wanted to play real minutes as a freshman at OSU, and get a jump on the competition, which she has always been at the top of. This was no more evident than at the Olympics, as she led the U18 team in scoring in a couple games, including the title game, which she was brillant, to say the least.
As far as college? Her grades were top notch in high school, so it wouldn't be a hard transition, since she has always had a great mind.
McMahon, is a guard - forward whose playing style is similar to LeBron James in the way that she is a freight train and bully when heading to the rim. She can score at all 3 levels, and is in the Dwayne Wade guard mode of athleticism, meaning, don't be surpised to see her with some suprise in game dunks - on opponents - in a couple of years.
With the improved range and jumper, and added quickness and explosiveness from working out vigorously in Columbus?
You see the early results. She has WNBA Top 5 talent written all over her.
And trust, there will be plenty more for the residents of Columbus to enjoy, as McMahon will look to help get the Buckeyes back to the Final Four in the next 3 or 4 years.
Remember, she hasn't set foot on OSU court as a Lady Buckeye yet.
But for now? Much respect to a young queen of a woman and family who made the decision that has been less traveled, and it benefitted greatly to say the least. Expect a breakout year for McMahon at Ohio State, as she should be a go-to starter from Day 1.
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