Here’s why Green’s Abbie Knapp is one of Ohio’s best-kept basketball secrets

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

FRANKLIN FURNACE — Abbie Knapp isn’t one of the best players in her area, or one of the best in her region for that matter.

She’s one of the best in the entire state of Ohio.

Green’s sensational sophomore has lit up scoreboards all year long — picking up right where she left off in her freshman season.

And her play has spearheaded the Bobcats to, quite possibly, the program’s best-ever season. This week, Green will head into its tournament run at 20-1 overall — the lone loss coming to 18-win Huntington way back on Dec. 18.

Knapp and company are winners of 14 straight contests.

“I think that the biggest difference for us has been the work we put in in the off season,” Knapp said. “We have a great strength and conditioning coach that has helped us greatly in getting stronger, and helping us be able to stay in games. Getting in the gym and shooting, even if it was just for an hour every day, has helped, too.”

Opposing defenses have needed all the help they can get … and then some.

While most people outside of Southern Ohio have never heard her name and after she was snubbed from All-Ohio honors last winter, she’s done nothing but get better.

Her numbers are screaming for attention from the rooftops.

Heading into the postseason, Knapp is averaging a double-double of 26.5 points and 13.9 rebounds per night — her scoring output lands her in America’s top 100 and at No. 2 in Ohio, according to MaxPreps. 

And, for good measure, she adds 3.2 assists, 2.4 steals and 3.4 blocks.

She shows up in big games, too.

For example, in the team’s two wins over conference rival Notre Dame, Knapp scored a combined 45 points — 29 and 16 — alongside 29 rebounds.

She’s, without question, one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest.

“Competing every day in practice has definitely helped me get better in games,” Knapp said. “We typically go as hard as we can during practice. That has definitely helped when we get in tough situations during games. I think my best on-court trait would probably be being able to play almost any position on the court.”

Earlier in the year, Knapp scored her 1,000th career point and is well on her way to becoming Green’s all-time scoring leader. But that accomplishment took a backseat when her Bobcats wrapped up the program’s first SOC championship in 25 years.

ABBIE KNAPP’S STATISTICS BY YEAR (PER GAME)

“The SOC title is so much more meaningful because of the teammates I have,” Knapp said. “Winning an SOC title with my teammates has been so much fun because we are all truly like best friends. Scoring my 1,000th was just like an added bonus.”

Another added bonus? She’s got her mom on the bench — Green head coach Melissa Knapp.

“Playing for my mom has been great. We might butt heads sometimes but we typically always work it out,” she said. “She definitely gets mad at me from time to time, but she does know what she’s talking about. Her being my coach has definitely made us closer because she knows what it’s like to be in some of the situations we’ve been in as a team.”

Now, in do or die time, Knapp will be keyed on more than ever by opponents. So it’s a good thing she’s got a running mate in fellow sophomore Mattie Hayslip, who’s averaging 14.6 points per game along with 4.1 assists and 2.8 steals.

The Bobcats’ other starters? Seniors Mylee Brown and Mylee Hunt, and junior Ava Abrams. Freshman Elizabeth McBee also plays a ton of minutes while sophomore Addison Blizzard sees quality playing time as well.

Needless to say, the future is bright in Franklin Furnace.

“Mattie and I make each other better because we have been playing together for so long,” Knapp said. “Since third grade, we basically haven’t played a school game without each other. And we wouldn’t be where we are without our other teammates. They make us a better team. Without them, we wouldn’t be 20-1.”

The Bobcats, a No. 2 seed in Division VII, will begin their tournament run with a district semifinal matchup against Symmes Valley at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Wellston High School.

If they can get past the Vikings, they’ll face South Gallia or Southern in the district championship game. A win there would mark the program’s first district crown since 1993. 

With Knapp leading the way, that’s a very real possibility.

“I think what’s next is a district title,” Knapp said. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this and this is our year. To reach our goals, we just have to keep playing our game. If we can keep up our defense and keep sharing the ball on offense, then I think we could accomplish our goals.”

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