Story and photos by Cort Reynolds
Ada High School senior standout Courtney Sumner signed a college letter of intent to play basketball for Ohio Northern University Tuesday afternoon, January 10.
Sumner thus follows in the footsteps of her current All-American wrestling brother Chase and father Jason, as well as her former Ada coach Morgan (Dumbaugh) Bass, as Polar Bears.
In fact, playing with Chase as a youngster in their stone driveway is what got Courtney interested in basketball. The duo spent a lot of days practicing at the family court when she was growing up, sparking her love for the game. “Chase was pretty hard on her,” said Jason Sumner, the former Ada wrestling head coach.
Courtney seriously considered Bluffton University and Malone but settled on Ohio Northern, informing Bear head coach Mark Huelsman of her decision January 2. “I thought I’d fit in better at ONU,” she explained. “They play at a faster pace and it is a family atmosphere at ONU."
She plans to major in early childhood education and reside on campus.
Ada head coach Zach Ricker said, “I know her goal was to play close to home. To play early on, Courtney will have to find a role where she learns how to contribute with her athleticism.”
Courtney feels she must improve her strength and defense to make a quick impact at the next level. “I focused on my defense all summer, and I feel I have become a better leader on and off the court,” she said. “I’ve gotten stronger physically.
“I will need to be stronger with the ball, especially on drives into the lane,” she added. “I will need to improve my defense even more.”
Sumner anticipates playing more off the ball in college, instead of being the primary ballhandler.
At 5-5 and 110 pounds, she is wiry strong despite a deceptively slight appearance. A good athlete, she has excellent speed and good quickness, and jumps well. A fine long jumper and sprinter, she does not anticipate competing in collegiate track and field at this point.
The feisty Sumner is one of the few people around who could give older brother Chase a real battle in the wrestling circle.
Sumner needs to score 168 points in her final 10 games or more--depending how far 6-7 Ada goes in the tournament--to become the program’s all-time scoring leader.
The current record holder is Morgan (Dumbaugh) Bass, who served as Courtney’s head coach over her first three seasons at Ada. Point guard Bass also went on to play at ONU, where she graduated as the program’s career scoring leader.
A four-year Ada hoop starter, Sumner entered her senior season having tallied just over 1,000 career points. She also became the all-time leader in digs for the Bulldog volleyball program this past fall.
She is averaging about 18 points, three steals and six rebounds per game this season despite an injured right wrist. Sumner fired in a career-best 33 points at LCC last week.
She said her best memory as a Bulldog cager so far has been winning the Border Battle tournament as a sophomore. But perhaps even better memories are yet to be made by March 2023.
PHOTOS
Courtney Sumner at her signing to attend Ohio Northern University. From left, front: mother Jennifer Sumner, Courtney Sumner, Ada head coach Zach Ricker.
Back: father Jason Sumner, brother Chase Sumner, sister Ashley Sumner, Ada assistant coaches Megan Zoladz and Kyle Poling.
