DAYTON — Work ethic and competition.
They were the common denominators around the Daugherty household, where sisters Kristin and Kari balanced tending to the family farm with playing a lot of pickup basketball.
It was the groundwork of development for two of the best athletes Coshocton County has produced. Together, they played on teams that won two girls basketball titles and reached a state volleyball tournament while at River View High School.
Kristin, now Kristin Ronai, recently became Ohio High School Athletic Association Associate Executive Director after thrice being named All-Atlantic 10 during her hardwood playing days at Dayton.
Kari, now Kari Pickens, twice was named Division II Player of the Year in basketball at Ashland and is now the Eagles' head coach of seven years. Her program remains one of the nation's elite, as she is the only person in Division II history to win a national title as a player, assistant coach and head coach (2022-23).
Their careers were recognized by the OHSAA last weekend, where they were enshrined into the prestigious Circle of Champions during halftime of the Division VII state boys basketball championship game on March 22 at University of Dayton Arena.
Joining special company
The Circle includes prodigious figures such as LeBron James, Clark Kellogg and Jim Tressel. Kristin and Kari joined their mother and former coach at River View, Caroline Daugherty, in the Circle.
"It's a true honor," Kristin said. "We're very proud of the community where we grew up an the life lessons that we learned, just to shine a light on how hard work, and trying to be a good person and where that can take your life."
In this case, it took them to center court at the state tournament with Findlay Liberty-Benton and Ohio State point guard Dr. Aaron Craft, Dover High grad and U.S. Olympic gold medalist ...
