Morgan Kirkbride

One of the most productive women’s college basketball players in the state is virtually unknown to the public because she plays for a regional campus university before fewer than 100 people in high schooltype gymnasiums.

Morgan Kirkbride, though, is about to finish her career at Ohio University-Lancaster knowing she made the correct decision to spurn opportunities to play for scholarship money at larger, well-known universities.

With at least one game remaining, Kirkbride has scored 2,057 points and made 252 three-pointers for the Cougars.

The highlight of Kirkbride’s season came when she tied a team record with 43 points in a 77-62 victory over the Rio Grande junior varsity. She is averaging 22.2 points per game.

“I just remember scoring 21 points by halftime and my father (David) hollering, ‘Go, Cougars’ toward the end of the game,’’ she said, laughing. “That was his way of saying I was close to the record.’’

Kirkbride, a 5-foot-5 guard, was recruited by Division II schools Ashland and the University of Charleston as a senior in 2012-13 at Liberty Union. Ashland was coming off a national championship season.

When she was dominating opponents her freshman year at Ohio-Lancaster, Miami University coach Cleve Wright offered Kirkbride a chance to walk on if she transferred.

“I love the game and was looking and looking for a school,’’ she said. “I wanted to go somewhere close to home so my family could watch me play. A friend said that I should try OUL. I visited and loved it. It’s so cool to play with girls I played with and against in high school.’’

Kirkbride spent her elementary and high school years mapping a plan to get noticed by Division I and II colleges. She played AAU during the summer for the Lady Jayhawks, which helped send teammates Brooklyn Wooten to Walsh, Lauren Blair to Waynesburg and Jordan Toohey of Pickerington North to Radford.

“I do think about where I’d be had I gone Division I or II,’’ she said. “My whole thing at one time was to play Division I. I played on an AAU team that was the best of the best. It was an honor to be on that team. I wanted the exposure so I could go on to college. But I wanted to play. I didn’t want to walk on or sit a lot. I’m used to never coming out of the game.’’

Having the reputation of being a high scorer means the defenses are out to get her. Kirkbride routinely arrives to practice early and stays late to get better.

“My dad has pushed me to become a better player,’’ she said. “It started in the offseason practicing my jump shot. I’d stay after practice and shoot 50 foul shots and 30 three-pointers. Before practice, I’d shoot even more to get into my rhythm.’’

Kirkbride is majoring in communication studies with the goal of entering sports broadcasting.

“My mom (Vera) says I’m going to be the next Erin Andrews,’’ she said, laughing.

Others to watch

— Mayle, a sophomore forward from Watterson, is averaging 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.

— Norman, a sophomore forward from Gahanna, is averaging 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds and has 30 steals.