Rio Grande News
Badger High School's Sarah Bonar shows off her No. 33 Rio Grande jersey after signing to play basketball for the RedStorm
Tue, May. 22, 2012 - [Women's Basketball]
Rio Grande Sports Information
KINSMAN, Ohio - University of Rio Grande women's basketball head coach David Smalley has announced the signing of Badger High School's Sarah Bonar for the 2012-2013 season.
Bonar, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward, averaged 24.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game for the Braves, who finished 10-12 following a loss to Warren John F. Kennedy in the Division IV district semifinals.
Bonar, a four-year starter for head coach Dusty Karr at Badger, led the team in both scoring and rebounding in each of her four seasons at the school and leaves as the school's all-time leading scorer - for both boys and girls - with more than 1,600 points.
She also excelled in the classroom and will graduate as the valedictorian of Badger's Class of 2012.
"We are extremely excited to have Sarah joining our family," Smalley said. "She's a tremendous individual, both academically and athletically. I have no doubt that, whatever she decides to do academically, she will be successful. As a basketball player, she's very versatile and has the ability to play multiple positions which, in our system, we like very much."
The chance to continue her playing career and education has Bonar feeling equally giddy.
"I feel extremely honored to have received this opportunity and I'm excited to, hopefully, contribute to the team's success," she said. "Ever since I started playing I've dreamed of playing at the collegiate level and learning more about the game."
Bonar, who was also a standout performer in cross country, track & field and soccer for the Braves, accumulated a litany of honors on both the academic and athletic side of her high school career.
As a senior, she was named to the All-Northeastern Conference first team and the All-Trumbull County Division IV first team, in addition to being the Trumbull County Division IV Player of the Year and an All-Ohio Division IV third team honoree.
Bonar was also selected to play in the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association North-South All-Star game last month at Capital University.
"She's probably better suited to play the three (small forward) in our system, but she could also give us some relief at either guard position if the need were to arise," Smalley said. "Fundamentally and mechanically, she's a tremendous jump shooter. She has the ability to get the ball to the glass, she likes the transition-style of play and she can score. I think the numbers she put up in high school speak for themselves."
Bonar, who has narrowed her choice for a field of study to either pre-med or business management, received interest from a number of schools before eventually selecting Rio Grande over two NCAA Division I programs - Valparaiso and Colgate - and NCAA Division II Lake Erie College.
"My college search was vast, but I'm very happy with my choice," she said. "I instantly felt comfortable at Rio. I really liked the coaching staff and the friendly environment."
Bonar added that increasing her physical strength will be a primary focus, but it's far from being the only thing on her docket once she arrives on campus.
"I definitely need to get stronger in order to compete against the higher level of competition, but I'm hoping to add versatility to the program and help keep the winning tradition alive," she said. "While striving to contribute to the team's successes, I'm also hoping to gain valuable knowledge from the coaching staff and make quality friendships with my teammates."
And the way Smalley sees it, Bonar may not have to wait long for the opportunity to do just that.
"I think Sarah is the kind of player who, as a freshman, can come in and make an immediate impact in our system," he said. "I'm looking forward to having her in our program for the next four years and wearing number 33 for the RedStorm."
Bonar is the daughter of David and Susan Bonar of Hartford, Ohio.
KINSMAN, Ohio - University of Rio Grande women's basketball head coach David Smalley has announced the signing of Badger High School's Sarah Bonar for the 2012-2013 season.
Bonar, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward, averaged 24.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game for the Braves, who finished 10-12 following a loss to Warren John F. Kennedy in the Division IV district semifinals.
Bonar, a four-year starter for head coach Dusty Karr at Badger, led the team in both scoring and rebounding in each of her four seasons at the school and leaves as the school's all-time leading scorer - for both boys and girls - with more than 1,600 points.
She also excelled in the classroom and will graduate as the valedictorian of Badger's Class of 2012.
"We are extremely excited to have Sarah joining our family," Smalley said. "She's a tremendous individual, both academically and athletically. I have no doubt that, whatever she decides to do academically, she will be successful. As a basketball player, she's very versatile and has the ability to play multiple positions which, in our system, we like very much."
The chance to continue her playing career and education has Bonar feeling equally giddy.
"I feel extremely honored to have received this opportunity and I'm excited to, hopefully, contribute to the team's success," she said. "Ever since I started playing I've dreamed of playing at the collegiate level and learning more about the game."
Bonar, who was also a standout performer in cross country, track & field and soccer for the Braves, accumulated a litany of honors on both the academic and athletic side of her high school career.
As a senior, she was named to the All-Northeastern Conference first team and the All-Trumbull County Division IV first team, in addition to being the Trumbull County Division IV Player of the Year and an All-Ohio Division IV third team honoree.
Bonar was also selected to play in the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association North-South All-Star game last month at Capital University.
"She's probably better suited to play the three (small forward) in our system, but she could also give us some relief at either guard position if the need were to arise," Smalley said. "Fundamentally and mechanically, she's a tremendous jump shooter. She has the ability to get the ball to the glass, she likes the transition-style of play and she can score. I think the numbers she put up in high school speak for themselves."
Bonar, who has narrowed her choice for a field of study to either pre-med or business management, received interest from a number of schools before eventually selecting Rio Grande over two NCAA Division I programs - Valparaiso and Colgate - and NCAA Division II Lake Erie College.
"My college search was vast, but I'm very happy with my choice," she said. "I instantly felt comfortable at Rio. I really liked the coaching staff and the friendly environment."
Bonar added that increasing her physical strength will be a primary focus, but it's far from being the only thing on her docket once she arrives on campus.
"I definitely need to get stronger in order to compete against the higher level of competition, but I'm hoping to add versatility to the program and help keep the winning tradition alive," she said. "While striving to contribute to the team's successes, I'm also hoping to gain valuable knowledge from the coaching staff and make quality friendships with my teammates."
And the way Smalley sees it, Bonar may not have to wait long for the opportunity to do just that.
"I think Sarah is the kind of player who, as a freshman, can come in and make an immediate impact in our system," he said. "I'm looking forward to having her in our program for the next four years and wearing number 33 for the RedStorm."
Bonar is the daughter of David and Susan Bonar of Hartford, Ohio.
