The West Branch girls basketball program is one of the best in northeast Ohio.

The Warriors, under the leadership of Walt DeShields, have won 17 Eastern Buckeye Conference championships, have two state final four appearances and one losing season in 19 years.

"You have to get them committed in the off season," said DeShields who has more than 330 wins in 19 years.. "You have to get them believing in themselves and go out and compete."

They're 16-2 this season and the development of players at a young age is their backbone.

"I've always dreamed of being out here with my friends and working up to that was huge," said senior Chloe Dennison.

'I was a ball girl in the sixth grade, so I've grown up around the program and I've always wanted to play for them," said senior Livvie Showalter.

DeShields says getting the girls interested in middle school is the key.

"We try to incorporate our youth programs where our girls get to know them, "  adding some of  the varsity players go to the youth and junior high games.

"We're just trying to build that culture with the history of the program and then always playing for those younger yes," he continued.

The Warriors are poised to make another tournament run led by Youngstown State signee Sophie Gregory, who scored career point 1,000 Wednesday against Salem.

"I think we can make a really good run. We're doing good and have gotten better as the season as gone on," she said.

Showalter added the ceiling is pretty high but we have to play one game at a time and play together, keeping our heads up throughout the whole time.

The Warriors host Austintown Fitch Saturday at 1:00 pm