Winter Sports 2017-18
A new voice
Otterbacher becomes just the third Calvert boys basketball coach since ’85
“I went down to Ridgedale for seven years, and I loved coaching down there, loved the community, loved the kids, but it wasn’t quite home. ” — Jon Otterbacher First-year Calvert boys basketball coach
BY ZACH BAKER
Sports Editor zbaker@advertiser-tribune.com
Calvert hasn't changed boys basketball coaches very often. When Ted Willman resigned after last season, his 12th, it meant that the Senecas would have to hire just their third coach since the 1985-86 season. Tony Mass was the coach for 20 years, and he was followed by Willman. Calvert's new coach is someone with coaching experience, and some history with the program. Jon Otterbacher, fresh off a seven-year tenure as Ridgedale's coach, takes over the Senecas. It's not the first time Otterbacher — who also had a stint as Hopewell-Loudon's girls basketball coach, has been involved with the Calvert program. “It was my first coaching job, 15 years ago, right out of college,” Otterbacher said. “They needed a freshman and JV coach.” The experience had a lasting effect on Otterbacher. “I fell in love with the place that long ago in the hopes that I could always come back and be the head coach,” he said. Now, Otterbacher has that opportunity. He has other ties to Calvert. His father-in-law is Rob Ritzler, and his brother-in-law is Tim Ritzler, who each coached the Seneca girls. “Yes, I married into the Ritzler family, which is a Calvert name,” he said. “They've been really good to the community, and good for the school, and hopefully we can continue to carry that on.” At Ridgedale, Otterbacher was 25-46. “I went down to Ridgedale for seven years,” he said, “and loved coaching down there, loved the community, loved the kids, but it wasn't quite home.” This is more like home. And so far, the players have responded. “He does a good job. He's not biased toward anyone,
he just plays who's gonna work hard,” said senior guard/forward Zach Conn. “We just go out there and play our game, he gives us the opportunity to play like the players we are.” The Senecas will be looking to improve on a 10-14 season in 2016-17. “We have a lot of good kids, with a lot of good athletes that love playing the game and love competing,” Otterbacher said. “Basketball skill wise, I think we're doing a pretty good job in trying to do as much as we can to grow as young men and get better on the floor.” Another senior, JJ Dull, said fans should be able to notice some changes this season. “For sure. I think our defense is going to be completely different from what we've run in the past,” Dull said. “The plays are all different; we've run the same plays for a while now, so we're getting a lot of different cuts, cuts to the basket and things, a lot more to the basket than we have in the past.” Dull said it's been a smooth changeover. “The transition was really easy,” he said. “It's a different philosophy, but I think it's working really well for us, and he fit right in when he got here.” Conn agreed. “I think we're gonna be a lot better this year,” Conn said. “We blend well together, and we all like the coach — so far.”
Also Inside: The A d v e r t i s e r- T r i b u n e Thursday, November 30, 2017
That comment was made loud enough so Otterbacher could hear it. “We're gonna be good,” Conn said. “I think the kids have bought into it pretty well,” Otterbacher said. “They're working hard every day, getting better every day, and just continuing to battle.” The coach also said he likes the leadership he's seen from the squad. “Everybody's stepped up, from the seniors to the juniors,” Otterbacher said. “Everybody's taken the leadership role, and is ready to do what is asked of them. And they're starting to understand what a good shot and a bad shot is. Just because it goes in doesn't necessarily mean it's a good shot.” But even when the team doesn't execute, Dull said Otterbacher has handled those moments well. “He's good at controlling his temper,” Dull said. “You can tell when he's frustrated, but so far he hasn't done anything too crazy to us.” And the coach said he has a number of players who he thinks can get the job done. The key to getting off to a good start will be finding the right rotations. “Getting good reps in at practice, and finding the right mix of who to play with,” Otterbacher said. “With 10 kids I feel that can play varsity at any time, it's gonna be finding the right time to play each individual kid.”
Basketball, wrestling, swimming, and bowling photos and previews for 14 area schools
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Buckeye Central
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Seneca East
Upper Sandusky
Calvert swimming
Calvert swimming (front, left) Erin Wagner, Taylor Harris, Christian Staib, Alana Kennedy, Meghan Miller (back) Tori Harris, David Stosio, Auggie Frohnen, Tristan Fanning, Sam Krout, Sam Seibert.
Calvert girls basketball
Calvert girls basketball (front, left): Claire Thompson, Madison Ball, Emma Prince, Hannah Smith, Shelby Hemminger, Bria Coleman (back) Pat Herron, Maddy Brown, Mikayla Recker, Hannah Burns, Maria Welter, Sydney Johnson, Chelsea Hutchins.
Coach: Pat Herron, second season 2016-17: 4-19, 2-10 SBC River Returning letterwinners: Senior Claire Thompson (G/F). Junior Shelby Hemminger (G). Others: Seniors Emma Prince (G); Mikayla Recker (P). Juniors Maddy Brown (F/C); Hannah Burns (P); Sydney Johnson (G); Bria Coleman (G). Sophomores Madison Ball; Hannah Smith. Outlook: When Pat Herron took over
the program last season, it was in a bit of a transition, moving from the Toledo Area Athletic Conference to the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division. Facing a number of graduations and coaching a young team, the Senecas had their struggles. But in his second season, Herron has confidence — and some new players.
■ please see CALVERT GIRLS, 4
Coach: Tori Harris Returning letterwinners: BOYS — Senior Christian Staib. GIRLS — Juniors Taylor Harris; Meghan Miller. Sophomores Erin Wagner; Alana Kennedy. Others: BOYS — Senior David Stosio. Juniors Auggie Frohnen; Sam Krout; Sam Seibert. Freshman Tristan Fanning. Outlook: Calvert returns with a state qualifier in Taylor Harris, some new swimmers and different expectations. Tori Harris' squad picked up some new athletes from St. Wendelin, and now has five swimmers on the boys side. Staib, a district qualifier, was the only Calvert boy swimming a season ago. “I think he's excited about that, we'll be able to have guys relay teams for the first time I've coached,” Tori Harris said, “Christian will be focusing on his breast stroke, my goal is to get him to two events at dis-
tricts.” Then there's Taylor Harris, who is looking for a return to state. Tori Harris said her daughter is focusing on the 100 fly, but isn't overlooking anything. “She doesn't look too far ahead,” Harris said. “So I think, definitely she wants to get back to state at those events and make it to finals.” Coach Harris said the other girls on the team have been impressive. “The girls and boys have all been working extremely hard,” coach Harris said, noting that three of the boys on the team are football players, so they haven't practiced as much due to the playoffs. “The girls are way ahead of where they started, I feel like they're ahead of where they started last season. “My new swimmers have experience; it's good we're not starting completely fresh,” she said.
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Calvert wrestling
Calvert wrestling (front, left): Elayna Kapelka, Aiden Wilson, Cecilia Brodman (back) Steve Nellett, Parker Beard, Connor Kwiat, Brayden Elchert, Bobby Bremyer, Paul Shoemaker.
Coach: Paul Shoemaker, first season 2016-17: Ninth in SBC Returning letterwinners: Seniors Connor Kwiat (170); Nick Maury (195); Junior Bobby Bremyer (145). Sophomore Parker Beard (160). Others: Junior Brayden Elchert (220). Sophomore Aiden Wilson (106/113). Outlook: Shoemaker is in his first season as Calvert's head coach, though he's been an assistant wrestling coach at a few schools, including Columbian.
The Calvert athletic director won't have a big team — there are only six wrestlers on the roster — but he does inherit a squad with talent. “We've got some experience coming back in the lineup,” Shoemaker said. “We just don't have many kids.” It starts with Kwiat, who is a state qualifier from last season. Bremyer and Maury are returning district qualifiers. “My goals are to make everybody as good as they can be,” Shoemaker said. “Get Connor back to state, get him
Calvert
Senecas
on the podium. Get Nick Maury and Bobby, get them to state.” Shoemaker said Calvert will get a good experience by competing against 21 other teams at the revamped Sandusky Bay Conference meet. “That will be a meet grinder, big middle and small (teams) all put together,” Shoemaker said. “I think it's a great learning experience. It gets you ready for your weeks to come, our league wrestling meet will be a big challenge.”
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4 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
Calvert boys basketball
Calvert boys basketball (front, left): JJ Dull, Trenton Cooper, Quinton Taylor, Tom Wang, Nic Somodi, Park Hemminger, Dominic Mangiola (back) Connor Kennedy, Hunter Hendrix, Jacob Schetter, Zach Conn, Josh Recker, Lewis Fabrizio.
Coach: John Otterbacher 2016-17: 10-14 Returning letterwinners: Seniors JJ Dull (G); Connor Kennedy (G/F); Park Hemminger (G); Zach Conn (G/F); Quinton Taylor (F). Juniors Trenton Cooper (G); Nic Somodi (G). Others: Junior Trenton Cooper (G); Dominic Mangioli (G); Hunter Hendrix (G); Josh Recker (F); Lewis Fabrizio (F).
Outlook: Otterbacher takes over a roster which he said goes about 10 deep. All of the players on the roster are either seniors or juniors. That might up expectations, something Otterbacher doesn't shy away from. “As a coach going into every season, your goals should be to compete for a league title,” Otterbacher said. “Once you try to get into a little bit of a tournament run, and win as many tournament games as you can. We go 1-0 every
night, everybody will be happy.” Otterbacher said defensively, he wants the Senecas to be aggressive. “Defensively, we like to put enough pressure on the other team to make them feel uncomfortable,” he said, “and play solid defense and make the other team make mistakes.” Offensively, Otterbacher said the Senecas would “try to push the ball and find openings through back cuts and ball screens.”
US sports leagues are hedging their bets on legal gambling
WASHINGTON (AP) — In court, all four major U.S. sports leagues are fighting New Jersey's challenge to the federal ban on sports gambling, which the Supreme Court will hear next week. Outside of court, leaders of three of the four leagues have made public comments that suggest they wouldn't mind losing the case. Only the NFL has been steadfast in its opposition to gambling, a stance that critics see as hypocritical, especially as the Raiders plan a move to a billion-dollar stadium just off the Las Vegas Strip.
■ please see GAMBLING, 22
About the section
Photos in the winter sports section were taken by Jill Gosche, Irv Woods, Lifetouch and Holiday Photography and were courtesy of Carey, Lakota, Mohawk, Old Fort and Upper Sandusky high schools. Stories by Matt Nye, John Montgomery, Dan Klish and Zach Baker. Cover photo by Zach Baker shows new Calvert coach Jon Otterbacher working with his players during a scrimmage at Monroeville Nov. 24.
John C. “Jack” Felton D.D.S. A-T FILE PHOTO BY STEVE WILLIAMS
Down the lane
New Riegel's Brianna Gillig (20) drives down the lane as she draws contact by Calvert's Allie Beckley (left) and Shelby Hemminger (right) Feb. 2 in Tiffin.
Notre Dame, Villanova shine in early season hoops tourneys
Bahamas (AP) — Notre Dame, ers. And Arizona is in an early funk. Villanova and Wichita State have Three Thanksgiving-week tourserious potential for deep March naments — the Maui Invitational, runs. Duke's freshmen are fast learn- the Battle 4 Atlantis and the PK80
CalvertGirls ■ from page 2
With St. Wendelin closing at the end of last school years, some Mohawks — who were SBC River rivals to Calvert last season — are now Senecas. Recker, Burns, Smith, Prince and Johnson are all additions from St. Wendelin to the varsity roster. “I am not a coach that makes predictions,” Herron said. “But if we can improve in the scoring department, along with our aggressive defensive game, we will be in games and come away with some wins. “However, the most impressive thing with these young ladies has been their ability to come together as a team,” he said. “You
would never know that these girls were on rival teams playing against each other one year ago.” Still, the team isn't all that experienced. Calvert returns only two letterwinners from last year's team, in Thompson and Hemminger. Hemminger was an honorable mention all-district player from a season ago.
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Columbian wrestling
Columbian wrestling (front, left): Nathaniel Cain, Joshua Yentzer, Adrien Elchert, Dustin Yates, Evan Keefe, Zackary Paulus (second) Andrew Branson, Kasean Hatlay, Joshua Cunningham, Joey Simcoe, Jack Burkholder, Kane Mears, Caden Blust, Evan Elchert, Gabriel Reyes, Kaeden Hatlay (back) Josh Beacorn, Daniel Gilbert, Jacob Anderson, Hunter Richardson, James Gibson, Brock Minnick, Matthew Audritsh, Michael Eisenhower, Xavier Coppus, Jacob Cain, Ian Rammel, Alex McCabe.
Coach: Daniel Gilbert 2016-17: NOL, sectional champs Returning letterwinners: Seniors Jacob Cain (132); A.J. Elchert (145/152). Juniors Dustin Yates (152); Andrew Branson (126); Caden Blust (132); Gabe Reyes (170/182). Sophomores Joey Simcoe (160); Kaeden Hatlay (138/145). Others: Senior Jacob Anderson (145/152). Freshmen Zach Paulus (106) Nathan Cain (106); Jack Burkholder (113); Evan Keefe (120). Sophomores Michael Eisenhower (170/182); Matthew Audritsh
(195); Evan Elchert (285). Outlook: Gilbert has always had high expectations since he arrived at Columbian. Last season, those expectations started to become reality, with Blust and Brantley reaching the state meet and the Tornadoes winning the final Northern Ohio League meet as well as the sectional tournament. A year later, the landscape has changed, with the Tornadoes entering the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division. But Gilbert's expectations haven't and
he sees the new league as an opportunity for new challenges. “Without a doubt, I think the merger with the SBC, it will be very telling as far as where we are as a team,” Gilbert said. “I think initially I'd have told you we were the frontrunners to take the SBC, the big division. We had three starters exit, that was it. It's such a long season, I'm always so excited to see where we are, you can't necessarily tell what you have until you get later into the year.” But with success comes some other is-
sues. “These guys are not gonna surprise anybody this year,” he said. “They just have to take workmanlike approaches and understand that it's a grind.” But the expectations remain. Gilbert said he wants the program to be top 10 in the state. “I think if we are not in that top 10 this year, next year we will make the board at state,” he said. “We didn't think it was too far fetched to think we'd be a top team.”
Columbian swimming
Coach: Chris Lewis Outlook: Columbian wasnʼt able to qualify any swimmers for the state meet a year ago. But it came close, as Anna Fletcher — who had made state the season before — got sick just before districts and barely missed out on another appearance in Canton. But now Fletcher is back and looking for a return trip. “High hopes for her this year,” Lewis said. Another Tornado with what Lewis called a “major shot” to make noise in the postseason is Toby Ramsdell, who
has performed well in the 100 fly and 100 back. “He could do well in either of those,” Lewis said. Lewis is also encouraged by two of his divers, Clay Moore and Trevor McCarthy. “Our dive team is looking good this year as well, (Moore) did very well at district,” Lewis said. “Itʼs not inconceivable that one or both could make state.” Lewis also mentioned the girls and boys medley relays as events that have promise. “Itʼs a rebuild year on the guysʼ
“It’s a rebuild year on the guys’ side for sure, but we have some great young swimmers who are stepping up. As far as the girls side goes, several of our new swimmers last year have come a long way and look promising in that regard.” — Chris Lewis Columbian swimming coach
Columbian swimming (front, left): Faith Abrams, Alyson Riley, Marissa Tiell, Maya Clouse-Henry, Grace Becker, Kailey Windsor (second) Trevor McCarthey, Corbin Hite, Toby Ramsdell, Logan Robinson, Brock Rudolph, Lillyan Jones, Colin Burkett, Chris Lewis, Lindsay Puz (back) Olivia Agerter, Morgan Cranmore, Jenna Schank, Anna Fletcher, Sydney Fortney, Dannah side for sure, but we have some great young swimmers who are step- Smith, Isabelle Lewis, Abby Bickford. ping up,” Lewis said. “As far as the girls side goes, several of our new swimmers last year have come a long way and look promising in that regard.” Lewis mentioned Fletcher, Isabelle Lewis, Dannah Smith, Sydney Fortney and Sierra Steinmetz as swimmers who could be on the verge of big seasons. “Definitely got some opportunities to have some really spectacular performances,” he said.
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6 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
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Columbian boys basketball
Columbian boys basketball (front, left): Chase Frankhauser, Jared Akers, Todd Simonds, Donnell Brockington, Jakob Amory, LJ Reaves, Clayton Nominee, Armanus Ross (back) Larry Kisabeth, Travis Kinn, Riley Sendelbach, Tyrin Smith, Braden Brown, Karter Reinbolt, Chip Weingart, Trey Elchert.
Coach: Travis Kinn, third season 2016-17: 8-15 Returning Letterwinners: Seniors Todd Simonds (PG); Jakob Amory (G/F); Jared Akers (G); Braden Brown (F). Junior Donnell Brockington (G). Others: Seniors Riley Sendabach (F); Clayton Nominee (G/F); Armanius Ross (G). Juniors Tyrin Smith (P); Karter Reinbolt (P); Sophomore Chase Frankhauser (G). Freshman L.J. Reaves. Outlook: Columbian was hit with some bad luck, before the 2017-18 season even got underway. Its point guard, Simonds, injured himself in Week 9 of the football season and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the basketball slate. Injuries also occurred to other key players. “Early in the year, preseason, scrimmages, we're focused on building some depth,” Kinn said. “Trying to fit (new players) in and get them up to speed as much as we
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2018
“I think our guard play is gonna be one of our strengths. We’ll rely on our returners on the perimeter.” — Travis Kinn Columbian boys basketball coach
can. “The biggest thing is we have a lot of guys playing varsity basketball for the first time,” Kinn said. “With that, we'll be a versatile team, be a balanced team.” The Tornadoes will be looking to improve this season
by finishing close games, something they struggled with a season ago. Kinn doesn't have any newfound strategy to fix that. He's just looking for improved execution. “I think it sounds cliché, but doing little things we can control,” Kinn said, “Making sure our effort on the defensive end is second to none.” And Kinn is happy with some areas of the squad. “I think our guard play is gonna be one of our strengths,” said Kinn, who returns Simonds, Amory, Akers and Brockington to that rotation. “We'll rely on our returners on the perimeter.” But the coach said defense will be key. “We have some streaky shooters on this team,” Kinn said. “If we have nights where we don't shoot well, we're gonna have to play good defense. Half-court defense is something we'll hang our hats on.”
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Columbian bowling
Columbian boys bowling (left): Kory Walton, Tommy Peer, Spencer George, Keygan Yonts, Dylan McCray, Davyd McCray, Evan Birch.
Coach: Kory Walton Boys team members: Tommy Peer; Keygan Yonts; Davyd McCray; Dylan McCray; Even Birch; Spencer George. Girls team members: Emily Sikora; Nura Himebaugh; Ariel Hollins; Ainsley Sherman; Emily Fretz; Kailee Schank. Outlook: Walton is in his first season as coach, and said he's seen good things from his squads. On the boys side, he said the team will look to Yonts
and Peer to be leaders. “For the team in general, I feel good about this season,” Walton said. “We should win some matches, I have no idea about tournaments. I feel like our boys team is going to do very well.” On the girls side, Walton said he's looking to three bowlers to have standout seasons. One is captain Ariel Hollins. The others are Kailee Schank and Ainsley Sherman.
Walton said he's expecting “big things” from Schank and Sherman, with Sherman being “a little more advanced than some of the others.” Walton acknowledged that he hadn't had too many practices with the girls at the time of the interview, but said he likes what he's seen. “They understand they're there to practice, theyʼre there to get better, have some fun,” he said. “Once they get up on the lane, they're serious.”
Columbian girls bowling (left): Kory Walton, Emily Sikora, Kailee Schank, Ariel Hollins, Ainsley Sherman, Nura Himebaugh, Emily Fretz.
Columbian girls basketball
Columbian girls basketball (front, left): Meredith Obringer, Autumn Sehlhorst, Serena Ingalls, Abby Dryfuse, Maddie Brisendine, Hannah Cooper, Tatiyana Dines (back) Amy Cooper, Erica Dickman, Abby Haner, Hailey Cooper, Isabella Shope, Kaia Woods, Alexis Quickle, Erin Reed.
Coach: Erin Reed 2016-17: 7-16 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Maddie Brisendine (F); Autumn Sehlhorst (F). Juniors Abby Dryfuse; Hannah Cooper (F). Others: Freshmen Kaia Woods (PG); Serena Ingalls (F); Hailey Cooper (SG). Sophomore Mo Obringer (F). Outlook: In Reed's first season as Columbian's coach, the Tornadoes won three times. Last year, they won six in the regular season. So Reed — and her team — simply want to see the trend continue. “One thing is, we doubled our wins from the year before, and we want to double our wins again,” Reed said. The team figures to be led by Brisendine and by Dryfuse, each of whom are capable of a double-double each game. Brisendine, a senior, has been a key contributor for Columbian since her freshman year. “We were hoping she'd be able to spot up this year, be a 3-point, spot-up player,” Reed said of Brisendine. That was thwarted in the Tornadoes' first game against Bowling Green — a double overtime loss — because TC had foul trouble. But the Tornadoes also have a special player in Dryfuse, who puts up big numbers up front. “She did it against really good teams (last year), too,” Reed said. “She's someone we need to feed, that's when she gets going.” The Tornadoes also have three freshmen expected to see time, in Woods, Ingalls and Cooper. “We have some pretty good freshmen coming up, learning with the rest of the team,” Reed said.
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8 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
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A-T FILE PHOTO BY STEVE WILLIAMS
Perfect medley
Calvert’s Meghan Miller swims the butterfly leg of the 200 yard individual medley event Jan. 21 in Tiffin.
A-T FILE PHOTO BY STEVE WILLIAMS
Breakaway
Lolo Jones begins another Olympic quest, still seeking medal Mohawk’s Zach Hayman drives for a layup in front of Seneca East’s Clint Wurm Dec. 30, 2016 in Sycamore.
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — There are six women pushing bobsleds this season for the U.S. national team. Of those, only three will be picked to race in the upcoming Pyeongchang Olympics. Lolo Jones is in the group of six. She would do anything to be in the group of three. Her World Cup season was Friday night in Park City, Utah, where she pushing the USA-1 sled driven by Elana Meyers Taylor. Theywere big favorites to win a medal, and should be in the mix for gold. But the medal Jones wants most — the one she’s chased for more than a decade — only gets handed out at the Olympics. And this might be her last shot. “There’s so much frustration and so much pain,” Jones said, breaking down in tears when talking about her Olympic odyssey. “I try not to be jealous of other people, but there‘s been so many people I’ve beaten along the way who have gone on to get medals. What have I done wrong? Why can’t I finish this? And then I get teased for it. It’s very frustrating.” Jones was a mere couple of steps from winning gold in the 100-meter hurdles in Beijing in 2008, leading the race before her right foot clipped the next-to-last hurdle and . She was one-tenth of a second from bronze in London four years later.
After transitioning to bobsled, she went to the Sochi Games in 2014 in the USA3 sled and wasn’t in contention. So at 35, Jones — a two-time world indoor hurdles champion who couldn’t contend for a spot at the 2016 Rio Games — hopes her time is now. “When you’re Lolo Jones, you’ve always got a target on your back,” men’s push athlete Chris Fogt said. “She’s not what you’d expect a million-dollar athlete, someone who’s made more than the rest of us have made combined, to be. She’s got all her Twitter followers, been on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ been on MTV. But you talk to her, she’s very gracious.” Jones is not for everybody, and she knows this. Her level of fame has created some jealousy among other athletes over the years, in both bobsled and track. Her tweets and generally outspoken ways have been known to rub people the wrong way. Her beliefs — she’s a devout Christian who reads her Bible daily and is still waiting to have sex until marriage — have been a lightning rod for critics. “I falter with my faith sometimes,” Jones said. “I’m not perfect. I think once that was out there that I’m waiting until I get married, everybody was like, ‘Oh, she’s this angel, she thinks she’s better than us.’ And then they meet me and they’re like, ‘Oh, she cusses?’ So no, I’m
Winter Olympics
not perfect. But I do try to be the best I can be.” She’s no diva, either. Bobsled teams don’t have expansive support staffs. Athletes load the sleds into trucks before and after races, do some of the maintenance, load the crates at the end of racing weekends and get everything ready to be shipped to the next track on the circuit. Jones does all that with no complaints. And when her male teammates were asked what they find most impressive about Jones, they didn’t cite her model-type looks or fame or fortune. The top answer was that she can drive a stick-shift, a skill that comes in handy since many of the vehicles the team gets on the road have manual transmissions. “I told her, I was straight up, if you’re going to be good at bobsledding you have to focus on bobsledding,” U.S. coach Brian Shimer said. “She’s got grit and stamina and sometimes it gets in her way. She’s wired in a way that it’s been OK for her as an individual running track. I really think she thrives, though, in a team setting.” Jones took Shimer’s words to heart. She left a lot of money on the table last year by skipping track season, forgoing prize money and ap-
pearance fees. She kept her bobsled weight — an extra 20 pounds or so — to build strength she needs for sliding. She should be taking the victory laps of her track career. Instead, she shortened that celebration to chase a bobsled medal. Her selection to the 2014 U.S. Olympic team was criticized by some teammates who thought it was a decision based on popularity. It was awkward, and still stings Jones. She’s proven she’s legit, with seven medals in 16 World Cup starts. But she also wonders if any 2014 fallout will hurt her chances to be picked for a medal shot in 2018. “I feel like I’ve been through it all in my career,” Jones said. “I’ve been America’s sweetheart in ‘08. I was America’s fill-in in 2012. I don’t even know how to describe Sochi.” She’ll run track again next year. There’s no guarantee she’ll continue bobsledding after this season. She wants to find love, get on with life. New chapters need to be written. So there’s urgency, perhaps more than ever, for that medal moment. “I just want to finish what I started,” Jones said, tearing up again. “ I know I have what it takes to be an Olympic medalist. I know I have what it takes to be an Olympic champion.” All she wants now is one more chance.
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Hopewell-Loudon girls basketball
Hopewell-Loudon girls basketball (front, left): Hailey Coppus, Kyleigh Krupp, Kenadee Siebenaller, Jacquelyn Burns, Olivia Zender (back) Bob Gase, Emily Pace, Makayla Elmore, Bailey Jameson, Jeff Burns, Junior Coffman.
Coach: Bob Gase 2016-17: 15-7 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Kenadee Siebenaller (G); Hailey Coppus (G); Jacque Burns (G/F); Bailey Jameson (P); Kyleigh Krupp (G); Emily Pace (G/F). Others: Freshmen Makayla Elmore (P); Olivia Zender (G). Outlook: There won't be a lack of experience this year for Hopewell-Loudon, as the Chieftains have six seniors with a lot of them having played multiple years.
Hopewell-Loudon
Chieftains
Gase said he hasn't had to spend as much time on fundamentals this season and has thrown more new plays and schemes at his team. “The girls all know each other and it surely makes things a lot easier,” Gase said. “We are a very tall team, which helps. They are all working hard and you can see that they want to win. And I have quite a few girls coming from winning programs like the volleyball team and cross country. They were successful there and we hope that transfers over to here.
“They know what I expect out of them.” Siebenaller, Coppus, Burns, Jameson, Krupp and Pace all played minutes last season with Siebenaller being the point guard. She has ran Gase's offense for the past few seasons and has flourished with her size and athletic ability. The main loss from last year's team is rebounding, as Brooke Arbogast was a double-double machine for the Chieftains.
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Hopewell-Loudon boys basketball
Hopewell-Loudon boys basketball (front, left): Blake Berrier, Brock Williams, Travis Milligan, Jordyn Jury, Alec Hoover, Luke Bolte, Jake Simonis, Kyle Rumschlag, Caden Hoover, Owen Suter (back) Brent Berrier, Roger Jury, Ethan Grieser, Ethan Oswalt, McKie Dubose, Carter Coffman, Brett Arnold, Steve Suter, Kyle Huth.
Coach: Roger Jury, third year 2016-17: 14-9, 5-6 BVC Returning letterwinners: Seniors Luke Bolte (P), Alec Hoover (P/G). Junior Jake Simonis (G). Sophomores Jordyn Jury (PG), Kyle Rumschlag (P), Travis Milligan (G). Others: Juniors McKie Dubose (P), Caden Hoover (PG), Brock Williams (G). Sophomores Ethan Grieser (G), Carter Coffman (P/G), Ethan Oswalt (P). Outlook: With the amount of young players on the Hopewell-Loudon roster the future surely looks bright. However, Jury is gearing up for a great year this season with a mixture of a few veterans and a heap of young talent. The Chieftains lost three players from last season and Gauge Sadler will be tough to replace as the team leader. Seniors Luke Bolte (6-4 post) and Alec Hoover (6-0 post/wing) are a good place to start, along with sophomore Jordyn Jury, who averaged 10.8 points per game. He also had 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists, which led the BVC. “They've all done a really good job in the offseason
working in the weight room and getting stronger,” coach Jury said. “We are a pretty deep team right now, especially with the sophomore class, so we hope that depth pays off this season. Getting Jake Simonis back after his knee injury last year is a big boost for us. I've seen some chemistry develop and we are excited to start the season.” Bolte averaged 7.2 points and seven rebounds, while Simonis scored 7.2 points per game and pulled down 5.3 rebounds before his ACL injury. “Bolte has given us some good senior leadership and he was committed in the weight room,” Jury said. “He looks big and he plays big. He just takes up space out there and will be tough to root out of the paint for opposing teams this year. We are trying to run more things through him as he causes issues for other teams inside. He knows we need a lot out of him and he has responded well to the challenge.” The outside complement to Bolte is Jordyn Jury, who can shoot outside and take the ball in the paint with his 6foot-2 frame as a point guard.
“Jordyn is a big point guard and can see the floor very well out there,” Roger Jury said. “He has improved and he can move around in different spots. We have a lot of guys we can move around in different spots and they know by now they will have to know different positions out there.” As it always is, the Blanchard Valley Conference is tough. It won't be any different this year as a few teams had a lot of success last year in the postseason. “On paper, I think when you look at Pandora-Gilboa, which all the players will be seniors and juniors now, should be the favorites,” Jury said. “North Baltimore also had a good year and return some good players and Van Buren is always tough. Vanlue has a lot of upperclassmen back and Leipsic has two or three really good players back, so on any night any of these teams can beat you. “We have to look at P-G, L-B or Van Buren until someone knocks them off. I hope we can make a little noise, too.”
Hopewell-Loudon wrestling
Hopewell-Loudon wrestling (front, left): Tristan Biller, Devin Arbogast, Aidan Sears, Levi Kuhn, Dominic Kear, Caleb Hinton (second) Blake Hoover, Chance Mason, Caden Crawford, Logan Holcomb, Ryan Panuto, Kole Freeman (back) Jason Biller, Aaron Kapelka, Cole McCarver, Chad Patterson, Chris Sears.
Coach: Aaron Kapelka Returning letterwinners: Juniors Chance Mason, Logan Holcomb. Sophomores Levi Kuhn, Caleb Hinton, Dominic Kear. Others: Sophomores Devin Arbogast, Cole McCarver. Freshmen Kole Freeman, Caden Crawford, Aidan Sears, Ryan Panuto, Blake Hoover. Outlook: Hopewell-Loudon has a lot of youth this season in the wrestling program. However, there are 12 wrestlers, which might serve the Chieftains well throughout the year in trying to fill out the weight classes and for building the program up for the next few years. “We just lost one senior from last year in Noah Bab-
H-L Girls ■ from page 1B
“We should have a good inside game and with our guards, we should be balanced,” Gase said. “We are better shooters than we have been, but we are missing our two seniors from last year. We will need to step up and improve rebounding, but everyone is looking to fill those roles. “This team has a different identity and that's true with every team. No team is the same from year to year and this team is trying to figure out their roles within the team, but we should be balanced on the court.” The Blanchard Valley Conference is tough toward the top of the league. Liberty-
cock, so we are a really young team. It might not be the best for this year, but it will benefit us in the future,” Kapelka said. “We just need to keep getting better with these young guys and keep working on filling that lineup. We should be able to for the next couple years.” Kapelka said the team is looking at Mason and Holcomb as the leaders on the squad. “Chance was a district qualifier last year and Logan made it to districts his freshman year, so those are guys that know what it takes to get to that level and we are looking at them to lead us right now,” he said. “We also have the three sophomores that wrestled last year we are looking at, who all have improved. We have a lot of talented
“We should have a good inside game and with our guards, we should be balanced.” — Bob Gase H-L girls coach Benton is always near if not at the top every year and Arlington has had a good run the past few seasons. “L-B is an elite team and Arlington graduated a lot, but will still be strong,” Gase said.
young guys that we are hoping chip in this year.” It's all about improvement for the young Chieftains and a couple big tournaments coming in January will benefit them with experience and a sense of what it takes to compete. “The BVC has some top teams around here, but it's all about filling the lineup to compete for a conference title,” Kapelka said. “We have to see how the season plays out for that, but we want some of the guys to experience moving onto districts and possibly state this year. “I'm looking forward to making these guys better and for building this thing up for the next few years. It will be great to come back next year and not lose anybody, so the future is bright here.”
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New Riegel girls basketball
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New Riegel girls basketball (front, left): Olivia Schalk, Marianna Tiell, Brooklyn Gillig, Brooklyn Williams, Allison Theis, Brooklyn Depinet, Kristin Coleman, Katie Dryfuse (back) Mark Theis, Maddy Elchert, Kaitlyn Kirian, Jacquelyn Lininger, Brianna Gillig, Lindsay Bouillon, Cindy Walerius, Steve Lucius.
Coach: Cindy Walerius, third year 2016-17: 12-13, 7-5 SBC River Outlook: With a record below .500 coach Cindy Walerius is pushing her team to improve upon last year's record and try to contend for the conference championship. “I know Fremont (St. Joseph) has four out of five starters back and they beat us last year — twice,” said Walerius. “I know they are picked to win it, but I know we were picked second so I'm hoping to contend for it.” Brianna Gillig has been a force on the Blue Jackets' squad as long as
she has been there. Walerius expects her to step up and be a leader. Gillig led New Riegel in scoring and rebounding last season. In Friday's loss to Upper Sandusky, the senior scored 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead her team in the season opener. Gillig's younger sister Brooklyn will be taking over the point guard spot for Walerius this year. “She's a sophomore and hopefully she can curve on her freshman season and lead us this year,” Walerius said. Kaitlyn Kirian is another sophomore the coach is hoping to step up
this season. “She was second (Friday) in rebounds and scoring,” Walerius said. “That helped take a little pressure off Bri.” The Blue Jackets don't look very deep according to Walerius. “We don't have a deep bench, but we got a great attitude,” she said. “The kids have been working hard and they're really starting to work on defense. Offensively they all know they have to contribute. Hopefully they can all take pressure off Bri having to score so much.”
Fostoria wrestling
Coach: Justin Kiser, first season 2016-17: Eighth in Northern Buckeye Conference Returning letterwinners: Seniors Ethan Clabough (145), Colin Drake (170). Sophomores Noah Damschroder (152), Roger Hall (195). Others: Seniors Michael Hoffbauer (152), Kaonte Payton (220), Bryce Durst (220). Juniors David Daniels (126), Shawn Vilaisack (285). Sophomores Aaron Johnson (160), Ryan Shackleford (182). Freshmen Kaleb Dick (132), Kevin Lagos (138), Dominik Nickelson (170). Outlook: The Redmen are thin in numbers and veterans again this year, but they return a district qualifier and another who ended one spot away from the district, while some of the others have wrestling
■ please see FHS WRESTLING, 14
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New Riegel
Jackets
New Riegel boys basketball (front, left): Bryce Hohman, Andrew Seifert, Nick Reinhart, Christopher Acree, Cole Noftz, Dylan Smith (back) Dave Losey, Jacob Theis, Austin Lescallett, Ben Dryfuse, Gabriel Souder, Allan Acree, Darek Feindel.
New Riegel boys basketball
Coach: David Losey, fourth year 2016-17 record: 14-9, 73 SBC River Returning Letterwinners: Seniors Ben Dryfuse (F), Austin Lescallett (F). Junior Cole Noftz (G). Others: Senior Allen Acree (F), Dylan Smith (F). Juniors Bryce Hohman (G), Nick Reinhart (F), Gabriel Souder (F), Darek Feindel (F), Andy Seifert (F). Sophomores Christopher Acree (G), Jacob Theis (F). Outlook: Losey will be looking to a pair of seniors and a junior to help lead New Riegel to another successful season. Losey said that Dryfuse will be leaned on for scor-
ing, rebounding and leadership. Dryfuse is a returning letterman that was named to the honorable mention All-SBC River team last season. The senior averaged just over 10 points per game and about five rebounds per game. The other senior is Lescallett. “(He) needs to be versatile and ready to play any spot on the floor,” said Losey. “(He is a) key defender and scorer.”
The returning junior is Noftz, who is a ball handler and plays tough and physical at the guard spot. “He will be asked to score more and distribute,” Losey said. Some of the other guys Losey is expecting to make a difference are Smith and Allan Acree along with Hohman. Losey said that Smith is a physical defender that will be asked to rebound and set the tone defensively.
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Fostoria wrestling (front, left): Kalib Dick, Shawn Vilaisack, Aaron Johnson, Roger Hall, Kevin Lagos (second) Colin Drake, Noah Damschroder, Nathan Hoffbauer, David Daniels, Ethan Clabaugh, Dominik Nickelson (back) Zach Leonard, Cameron DeLong, Kaonte Payton, Kaiden Mezger, Ryan Shackelford, Bryce Durst, Justin Kiser.
Fostoria bowling
Fostoria bowling (front, left): Logan Weidner, Justice Vogel, Reece Heckathorn, Kyhra Baeder (back) Jan Thibodeau, Austyn Sands, Tony Lear, Josh McCarley, Travis Williamson, Katelynn Connin, Cas Anez.
Coach: Jan Thibodeau 2016-17: BOYS — Fourth in Northern Ohio Bowling Conference; GIRLS — Tied for fifth in Northern Ohio Bowling Conference Returning letterwinners: Seniors: BOYS — Tony Lear. GIRLS — Katelynn Connin, Braelyn Rinehammer. Others: Seniors: GIRLS — Justice Vogel. Juniors: BOYS — Christian Buess, Travis Williamson. GIRLS — Kyhra Baeder. Freshmen: BOYS — Ryan Combs, Jacob Durst, Reese Heckathorn, Josh McCarley, Michael Mendoza, Austyn Sands, Logan Weidner. Outlook: There's a lot of teaching and coaching in store for the Redmen this winter. The boys graduated 11 of last year's 12 keglers, and have 13 on the team this winter, while the girls have just four bowlers so far. But the potential is there, as long as they listen, Thibodeau said. And that begins with thinking about the end result, not a strike-or-nothing effort, she said. “Games are won with spares, not strikes,” she said is the mantra she's drilling into the Redmen. And with the boys team, that means a lot of newcomers, with some having experience in junior bowling league or with family.
“They're all new; a lot of freshmen,” Thibodeau said. “We are forming a team around Tony, and we're still just building skills. We're
skill building right now. We have not chosen a (varsity) team,” she said. “It's up for grabs right now. Everybody's trying to find their lit-
tle niche.” It's a little easier with the girls, because there are only four of them. While the team will keep
trying to recruit more, Thibodeau said the two veterans and the two newcomers are showing progress. “They're coming along.
Are we going to be ready right away? Probably not, but we'll be able to hold our own with some of our opponents,” she said.
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Fostoria swimming
Fostoria swimming (front, left): Kana Kagitani, Marie Brawn, Calob Keller, Oriana Settles (second) Jona Rusi, Jordan Haver, Alice James, Tony Costello, Lishay Perkins (third) Tuna Candir, Dakota Thomas, Briana Hickle, Hope Nowicki, Elisia Ledesma (back) Benji Cates, Dashon Johnson, Justin Jordan, Dante Hampton, Trey Groves, Timothy Seagro, Courtney Fleming.
Coach: Courtney Fleming Returning letterwinners: BOYS — Seniors Antonio Costello; Calob Keller. Sophomore Justin Jordan. GIRLS — Junior Alice James. Others: BOYS — Junior Tuna Cainbir. Freshman Jordan Haver. Outlook: After graduating seven seniors off last yearʼs squad, Fostoria is bolstered by some depth this season. Fleming has 20 athletes out — eight boys, 12 girls. Among the returners is multi-time district qualifier Antonio Costello, one of two returning seniors on the team.
Fleming said sheʼs hoping to get him back to districts, and more. “Iʼm really, my personal goal is to have five at districts this year,” Fleming said. “Iʼd love to see a boys relay get there, we were almost there last year, so itʼd be nice to get that done this year.” The depth gives Fleming an advantage she didnʼt have a season ago. “Even with so many new girls and even with the newer boys — we have a ton of cross country runners— we have enough swimmers to fill every position,” she said. “We
Fostoria girls basketball (front, left): Evion Taylor, Larai Williams, Tyriana Settles, Meredith Grine, Naija Miller, J’Breonn Jones (second) Tia Overton, Kyah Talley, Mya Weimerskirch, Maddie Cook, Olivia Hernandez-Hill (third) Emma Gregg, Iyanna Taylor, Jennifer Chasco, Rubi Dessausure, Imani Velazquez, Kaitlyn Casiano (back) Cory Gregg, Gabe Sierra, Veronica Wonderly, Yvette Anez, Destiny Robinson.
Fostoria girls basketball
FHS Wrestling
Coach: Gabe Sierra, second season 2016-17: 8-16, 4-10 Northern Buckeye Conference Returning letterwinners: Seniors J'Breonn Jones (G), Evion Taylor (G), Larai Williams (F). Juniors Meredith Grine (F), Naija Miller (G), Tyriana Settles (F).
Good Luck Athletes!
■ please see FHS GIRLS, 36
GOOD LUCK FOSTORIA TEAMS!
■ from page 11
experience. “It has been tough this year getting kids out to participate in wrestling, especially in the lower weight classes. That is a big concern for us,” Kiser said. “We do have a lot of kids that have been wrestling for a couple years, so … we don't have to start at the beginning every year, so that's a plus,” he said.
have somebody who can do everything. Itʼs exciting to see the progress. Weʼre better than we were at this time last year. Even the people who havenʼt competed before know what theyʼre doing.” Fleming said the present, and the future, have her hopeful. “Thatʼs the exciting part,” she said. “We have our first meet coming up on Saturday, weʼll have some really good progress this year. We have five seniors, not quite as many as last year. A lot (of our swimmers) will be returning, which is exciting.”
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Fostoria boys basketball
Fostoria boys basketball (front, left): Maalik Tucker, Kasey Finsel, Gabe Turner, Trae Anderson (second) Dustin Smith, Devin Mauricio, Karsen Bemis, Jace Boff, Avondre Reed, Dylan Sheets, Mark Lair (back) Perry Buchanan, Craig Mintz, Alex Sierra, Jacob Counts, Terrell Kirby, Eli Ward, Aneas Cousin, Thom Loomis, Matthew Crabtree.
Coach: Thom Loomis, first season 2016-17: 5-18, 2-12 Northern Buckeye Conference Returning letterwinners: Senior Gabe Turner (G). Juniors Alex Sierra (F), Aneas Cousin (F). Others: Seniors Trae Anderson (G), Jace Boff (G), Kasey Finsel (F), Terrell Kirby (F). Juniors Eli Ward (F), Karsen Bemis (G), Maalik Tucker (G), Dylan Sheets (G), Jacob Counts (F). Sophomores Devin Mauricio (G), Avondre Reed (G). Outlook: It's been a decade since Fostoria had a winning season, and this year's squad tries to hit that mark with a new coach and just three returning veterans. But the new coach is not a new face. Loomis coached the junior varsity Redmen last year, guiding that group to a
17-5 overall mark and the NBC junior varsity title with a 12-2 record. “Some of the things we did last year are the same, and the majority of the kids that are on the varsity played for me on the JV team last year. And our JV's were highly successful last year, so that helps,” Loomis said. “There's some confidence that's been established, even though making the move from JV to varsity is a big step,” he said. “I think having had a lot of success last year certainly helps those guys believe that they know that they can compete.” Cousin heads up the veterans after leading last year's team in scoring en route to honorable mention NBC and second-team District 7 awards. But Cousin, Sierra and Turner amount to less than 20
points per game back for the Redmen's offense. “To only have 18 or 19 points per game coming back from last year's squad, we're definitely going to have to find some scoring from some guys who haven't played varsity before,” Loomis said. “I think Aneas and Alex are capable of increasing their scoring, without a doubt, but also our opponents are going to know that they are the two key returners that we have.” Height will also challenge Fostoria. The tallest player is Kirby at 6-6, but he hasn't played basketball since junior high. After him, the next tallest are the 6-1 quartet of Cousin, Ward, Sierra and Counts.
■ please see FHS BOYS, 18
SENIORS
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Redmen
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Seneca East wrestling (front, left): Bryce Wise, Wyatt Sanders, Dakota Laughlin, Daniel Mullet, Rayden Bivens, Jon Margraf, Dustin Powers, Jacob Felter, Skyler Wise (back) Coty Crapo, Brandon Best, Matt Ellis, Rickie Lacy, Jacob Kaiser, Teryn DeBold, Brock Martin, Damien Patrick, Logan Hicks, Leticia Silva, Alex Hughes.
Seneca East wrestling
Seneca East girls basketball
Seneca East girls basketball (front, left): Caylin Quiggle, Marina Adachi, Megan Rife, Bailey Hamilton, Jessica Bowerman, Aubrey Saylors (back) Don Vogt, Alexis Hicks, Craig Turek, Bonnie Bivens, Jarron Reesman.
Coach: Coty Crapo Team members: Seniors Skylar Wise; Brandon Best; Brock Martin; Jaycob Kaiser. Juniors Teryn DeBold; Daniel Mullett; Matt Ellis; Rickie Lacy; Leticia Silva. Sophomores Wyatt Sanders; Dakota Laughlin; Rayden Bivens; Jon Margraf; Dustin Powers; Logan Hicks. Freshmen Bryce Wise; Jacob Felter; Damien Patric. Outlook: The Tigers come back this season with a pair of district qualifiers in Martin and DeBold. Crapo, in his third season, said he's hoping Seneca East can be represented at the state meet this year. “Ideally, we'd have at least one guy at state this season,” he said. And Crapo said the team is in a good spot, with his wrestlers being comfortable
with his program and each other. “Definitely the unity,” Crapo said about what stands out about the group. “These guys have all wrestled with me, they know what we expect and how we want to run our team. They do a lot of work outside (of school), but together. They all have had quite a bit of mat time in the past couple years, so that definitely helps.” Crapo said he's hoping the
squad improves as the season moves along. “Keep our focus, and (be) improving week to week,” he said. “It's a long season, physically demanding.” Crapo said he's hoping the team can put up solid scores as well. “I'd love to be in the top 10 in all the bigger tournaments we go to,” he said. “But I'd really like to have multiple placers.”
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Coach: Don Vogt 2016-17: 13-12 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Aubrey Saylors (F); Bonnie Bivens (F). Juniors: Marina Adachi (G); Caylin Quiggle (F). Sophomore Megan Rife (G). Others: Sophomore Bailey Hamilton (G). Freshmen Jessica Bowerman (G); Tori Fritz (F); Alexis Hicks (C). Outlook: Vogt comes to Seneca East as an experienced boys basketball coach. He's had stops at Parkway, Coldwater, Cambridge and Lima Shawnee. But this is his first time as a head coach of a girls team. And he said he's impressed with the Tigers so far. He was asked what stands out about them.
“Their desire and willingness to learn stands out,” he said. “It's been their work ethic, pushing the ball up the floor, those are things that have stuck out so far.” The Tigers have some key players returning off last year's squad, which finished the season 13-12 and again reached the district tournament. Adachi and Bivens join Bowerman, an impressive freshman who scored 20 points in her first high school game. The Tigers also have Saylors, who Vogt said is likely to be a team leader. “Aubrey is a really good kid, has some very good leadership potential,” Vogt said. As for expectations for the season, Vogt kept it simple.
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017– 17
Seneca East boys basketball
Seneca East boys basketball (front, left): Chase Foos, Clint Wurm, Mykah Vogt, D.J. Ruffing, Devin Daniel, Collan Martin (back) Todd Aichholz, Logan Kling, Alex Forehand, Tyler Turek, T.J. Pugh, Nate Kaple.
Coach: Todd Aichholz, third season 2016-17: 9-14, 4-12 N10 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Alex Forehand (F); Logan Kling (P). Juniors Clint Wurm (PG); Mykah Vogt (G); Tyler Turek (P). Others: Junior Collan Martin (F); D.J. Ruffing (G); Devin Daniel (G). Sophomore Chase Foos (F). Freshman P.J. Pugh (W/F). Outlook: Aichholz said this year could
represent the best team he has had at Seneca East. But that's far from a certainty. “I think this is the most athletic team we've had so far,” Aichholz said. “If we can put it all together, that will be the question mark.” The Tigers bring back some quality players in Wurm, their point guard, and Forehand, a forward. “I think we're long and athletic this
year,” Aichholz said. “We need to be able to utilize that, and our depth. If we can figure out a way to utilize that, we'll be much better.” The key, Aichholz said, will be the players getting comfortable with each other. “Learning how to play the style we want to play, and coming together as a team (is important),” Aichholz said. “We had guys from all different levels last year, we're still
feeling each other out.” Aichholz was asked if he thinks his team can make a move in the N10, where it struggled a season ago. “We do, but our league is so competitive,” Aichholz said. “You can talk about (last year's champion) Upper Sandusky losing a few, but they're still going to be darn good, and it seems like every team is getting better.”
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2018
Seneca East
Tigers
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18 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
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Upper Sandusky girls basketball (front, left): Tori Damron, Megan Hensel, Abigail Fogle, Niki Young (back) Payton Luikart, Patrick Massara, Alivia Oney, Madison McLaughlin, Alexis Fogle, Hannah McKinniss, Brent Fahle, Brad Kinnear.
Upper Sandusky girls basketball
Coach: Brent Fahle, seventh year 2016-17: 21-2, 16-0 in N10 Outlook: At the end of last season, Fahle lost a lot of his team and this year he is looking to replace those players. Fahle had to move some players up from the JV team, but he still has some veterans on the team that can score and bring leadership to the team. “Hopefully we can blend those kids that we call youth with our veterans and hopefully we can have a positive season,” he said. Seniors Abigail Fogle and Megan Hensel have been three-year starters at the varsity level. “I think theyʼre going to have to carry the load for us when it comes to scoring,” Fahle said. Alexis Fogle is a junior that will have to step up for the Rams. “With her defense — she started last
year and did a great job defensively — she can score a little bit as well,” Fahle said. “Hopefully she can continue her role in doing that this year.” Madison McLaughlin was a bench player in her sophomore season, but will be starting as a junior. “The last few games she has done a phenomenal job,” Fahle said. “Hopefully (her and) those kids that were on last yearʼs team that got some major minutes can up their role just a little bit more.” The Rams only have eight players on the roster this year, so the bench is not very deep. With a short bench, Fahle expects some players to step up. “There are a couple kids that play — because weʼre not very deep — that are seniors that play just varsity but played mostly JV (last year),” Fahle said. “Tori Damron who is 6-foot is a really good rebounder and can score inside. Niki Young
“We’re not looking back. We know we had a great record last year, but that’s over with. We’re looking to build on our successes and try to get better as a team defensively and see where the chips fall.” — Brent Fahle Upper Sandusky coach
is a physical player who can rebound and defend well. We are looking for those kids to fill in.” The Rams have won their first two games of the season. The first was a 6756 win over New Riegel and the second was a 66-54 victory against Riverdale. With a good start to this season, Fahle doesnʼt want his team to look back. “Obviously itʼs a new season,” he said. “Weʼre not looking back. We know we had a great record last year, but thatʼs over with. Weʼre looking to build on our successes and try to get better as a team defensively and see where the chips fall. “I know weʼre going to play hard and weʼre going to be ready to play. The last two games we did a nice job. We got the victories, but every day is about coming out, working hard and getting better and weʼll see what happens in the games.”
Upper Sandusky wrestling (front, left): Keith Sammet, Ben Hill, Ronan Gullifer, Ashton Shepherd, Caleb Payne, Emery Pahl (second) Blake Herbert, Jaxon Passet, Garrett Thomas, Brayzin McDaniel, Brandon Giesey, Peyton Evener, Mark Collins (back) Noah Blankenship, Brian Thomas, Noah Clary, Arik Schneider, Brandon Derr, Connor Johnston, Mitchell Dewitt, Jesse McLane, Bryan Mengerink, Jim Hughes.
Upper Sandusky wrestling
Coach: Noah Blankenship, fourth year Outlook: In his fourth year as head coach for the Upper Sandusky wrestling squad, coach Noah Blankenship hopes that his team will keep improving and has some seniors that he has high hopes for. One of those seniors is Noah Clary. Blankenship wants to help Clary earn a spot high on the podium this season. “I have some high expectations for him with the summer wrestling that we did at the national level,” said Blankenship. Connor Johnston was a grappler that finished in the top four a season ago and Blankenship expects him to get better in his senior year. “He was ranked in the top four for a while, but kind of tapered off at the end,” Blankenship said. “Getting him to finish out the season this year is one of my big goals and I think his too.” As a team, there are some younger guys that Blankenship said will have to step up. There are also some older guys that he is looking to step up as well.
“I’ve got a decent senior class I’m excited about. There’s just a lot of stuff that I want.” — Noah Blankenship Upper Sandusky coach “Iʼve got a decent senior class that Iʼm really excited about,” he said. “Thereʼs just a lot of stuff that I want.” Brandon Derr and Mitchell DeWitt are another pair of seniors Blankenship is looking at to step up. DeWitt was
bounced a bit last year and he sacrificed himself to make different weight classes. Derr had a similar season to DeWittʼs and he improved throughout the year. Last season Derr suffered a knee injury during the week of sectionals and it affected him when it came time to wrestle. Some of the sophomores that may make an impact this season are Ronan Gullifer, Brayzin McDaniel, Garrett Thomas and Ashton Shepherd — who was on the JV squad last season. “Iʼm looking to get (Shepherd) in the lineup this year,” Blankenship said. “Iʼve seen some nice results from him in the room and in offseason workouts.” McDaniel and Gullifer each won a couple of matches at districts last year.” In the early parts of the season Blankenship said he and the other coaches think the team looks pretty good. “It always comes down to results,” he said. “No matter how good you look in the practice room, it doesnʼt mean itʼs going to be the result in the mat. Weʼll be focused and weʼll embrace the first competition we have coming up and adjust from there.”
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 –19
Upper Sandusky boys basketball
Upper Sandusky boys basketball (front, left): Zachary Stover, Trevor Clifford, Evan Young, Harrison Sheaffer, Brett Montgomery, Levi Malone, Landon Ramos (back) Jeff Winslow, Jevon Dible, Ben Sheaffer, Mason Vent, Jason Holly, Andrew Kurtz, Cole Sowers, Paul Gnepper.
Coach: Jeff Winslow 2016-17: 24-1, 16-0 N10 Outlook: It was another special season for Upper Sandusky last year going unbeaten in the league and advancing to the district final. However, with the loss meant the loss of a few players, including Wes Vent to graduation.
Harrison Sheaffer, Jevon Dible and Andrew Kurtz to score. Dible was a prolific 3-point shooter a year ago, but with Ry Adams, Vent and a few others on the court, he benefitted with some open shots. The Rams will have some depth with some interchangeable players, but varsity experience is not a strong
Vent was one of the best players in the area for a few years. He averaged a league-high 19.8 points per game, pulled down 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals and shot 44 percent from 3. The Rams also lost point guard Noah Dible and forward Eli Kinley. Upper Sandusky will have to rely on 6-foot-5 post Jason Holly and seniors
suit. They will have to face some teams, including Carey, Colonel Crawford and Mohawk, with some experience throughout the conference slate. If the Rams want to contend or win another league title, the young inexperienced players will have to learn quickly and adjust to the varsity level.
SENIORS
2018
Upper Sandusky
Rams
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20 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
WINTER SPORTS
Upper Sandusky girls swimming (front, left): Megan Brunty, Samantha Fagan, Lyla Gill, Lucy Smith, Laura Stauffer, Adriane Weininger (second) Kathryn Conley, Hannah Droll, Kamryn Swartz, Abigail Wenger (third) Cali Andres, Jacobi Bardon, Maya Collins, Sydney Cusac, Mary Overton, Josie Smalley, Rose Smith (back) Hannah Herring, Sydney Simpkins, Addison Byrne.
Upper Sandusky swimming Coach: Justin Richardson, fifth year Outlook: Last season the girls finished second at the North Central Ohio Swim League while the boys took the NCOS crown. On the girlʼs side, most of the varsity team returns, while only losing one swimmer to graduation. Richardson said a lot of his returning girls broke school records last season and were district qualifiers. “Iʼm looking at (doing) the same thing,” said Richardson. “Iʼm looking to update a lot of records this year, the same girls breaking them as last year. Maybe a couple new ones this year.” Richardson said that he is looking for his girls to do well in the postseason and get a number of district qualifiers. “Our kids are more interested in the postseason than they are in the one championship meet,” he said. The boys lost many seniors last year, but the team came back with more swimmers this season. “We have a strong group of freshmen boys that came in this year,” Richardson said. “Some of them are first-time swimmers, but all of them are previous ath-
letes in other sports. I think to have multi-sport athletes; those are just good, coachable kids. They are picking up very quickly on things. “To go along with the number of juniors that are now seniors that have a lot of varsity swimming experience, our team is blending together very well. Iʼm looking to move kids around in a number of positions because we have kids now that are capable of competing at a higher level in multiple events.” The girlʼs relays will have some combination of girls that have been there before. Those girls would be Kami Swartz, Cali Andres, Katie Conley, Lucy Smith and Abbey Wagner. Richardson is also looking to have some of his upcoming swimmers to step up. “Cali Andres must have had a great offseason and did some serious conditioning,” he said. “Sheʼs looking — for a sophomore now — a lot stronger at practice and has a really strong attitude.” The boyʼs team has had a swimmer suffer an injury so far this season in Jacob Glass. Richardson said he was a record-
“I’m looking to update a lot of records this year, the same girls breaking them as last year. Maybe a couple new ones this year.” — Justin Richardson Upper Sandusky swim coach breaker from last season. Glass is going to be out for a while, but coach said he is doing physical therapy and healing up. The injury does open up some spots for the boyʼs team. Konner Holloway is a senior returning to the sprint free style races. “Heʼs in good shape and doing well,” Richardson said.
Ian Cameron is another senior that has improved in the previous year. He has suffered some injuries before, but Richardson said he has been healthy for 12 months. One thing Richardson has told his teams is they canʼt fall back onto previous accomplishments. “We had a great season last year, but that was last year,” he said. “Every season is what you make of it. Weʼve definitely been trying to get a chip on their shoulders and not come in expecting things to be the same they were last year. “Weʼre looking to stay motivated. Motivation is something you just canʼt coach. Either kids have it or not. This year, Iʼve seen great motivation with the kids. We worked hard last year and it paid off. This year, itʼs that internal drive thatʼs driving them. I donʼt have to stand at the sides and cheerlead anymore. They know what they want. They know what theyʼre working towards, so it gives me more time to focus on some of the technical details and get to work with some of our younger kids.”
Upper Sandusky boys swimming (front, left): Jacob Glass, Ian Cameron, Konner Holloway, Joey Verdugo, Alec Ogg, Arthur Lambert (second) Parker Frombaugh, Seth Rothlisberger, Quinton Voorhees (third) Will Barnes, Braden Cano, Trever Daughenbaugh, Sudesh Grafmiller, Brody Williams (back) Cameron Cole, Troy Mawer, William Ogden, Jack Orians, Owen Rothlisberger.
WINTER SPORTS
The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 –21
Buckeye Central boys basketball
Buckeye Central boys basketball (front, left): Derek Reed, Wade Ackerman, Dalton Sheaffer, Max Loy, Kyle Sanderson, Daniel Garrett (back) Terry Oswald, Mitch Robinett, Carson McCarthy, Brady Biglin, Darren Wurm, Mason Stahl, Adam Krebs, Phil Loy.
Coach: Phil Loy 2016-17: 10-14, 7-9 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Max Loy (PG), Dalton Sheaffer (G), Kyle Sanderson (P), Wade Ackerman (G). Junior Darren Wurm (G). Others: Seniors Derek Reed (F), Daniel Garrett (P). Juniors Mason Stahl, Brady Biglin (G). Sophomore Jacob Heefner (P). Freshman Brady Kershner (F/P), Kevin Moyer (G). Outlook: It's no secret the N10 is a grind of a season for basketball teams. Playing every team twice is tough, especially, when a team is trying to find itself. Buckeye Central had a decent season last year, but couldn't quite hang with the top of the league, especially, a dominant Upper Sandusky. This year, after losing top scorer Jacob Shade, the Bucks will have a bit of a different look, without a true force
in the post. “We have to replace three seniors that were all starters,” Loy said. “Shade was a huge part of our team and offense last year, so replacing him will be really tough. We are trying to find multiple guys to replace him in the post, but I think our guard play will be good and will have to lead.” The Bucks do have some proven returners in point guard Max Loy, Sheaffer and Sandseron, who have all played quite a bit of minutes. Loy was an honorable mention pick last season in the N10. “Max is the No. 1 leader on this team with it being his third (season) of varsity,” Loy said. “Point guards need to be leaders and we've talked about that before. Our other seniors aren't as vocal, but they show it on the court with how to act and their attitudes. They have good work ethic and I think the other guys see that.
“The strength of our team is definitely our guard play and our team chemistry. I think that will really help. Weakness is definitely depth in the post. We have a few tall guards, but not much height or experience in the post and against some of the teams in the N10, that will be needed.” The N10 most likely will be between Upper Sandusky, Colonel Crawford or Carey, and Loy said he wants his Bucks to finish in the top half of the league. “I think Mohawk is on the rise too, they will make some noise with what Paul Dunn is doing there,” Loy said. “For us, we just have to be consistent. We've showed at times we can be consistent through some scrimmages we've had, but then all of a sudden we look not so good. I think part of it is trying to find some different guys in different lineups. We need to focus on rebounding and taking care of the ball.”
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2018
Buckeye Central
Bucks
Buckeye Central girls basketball
Buckeye Central girls basketball (front, left): Jay Miller, Jenna Karl, Emily Stump, Kendra Stahl (second) Andy Fagan, Greg Moore, Kyleigh Brown, Ally Green, Elizabeth Heydinger, Lexi Evak, Courtney Pifher, Audrey Lutz, Taylor Ratliff, Megan Flagherty.
Coach: Greg Moore 2016-17: 21-5, 13-3 Northern 10 Athletic Conference, regional semifinalist Returning letterwinners: Seniors Jenna Karl (5-7, PG), Emily Stump (5-7, W). Junior Courtney Pifher (5-10, P). Sophomore Lexi Evak (6-1, P). Others: Senior Kendra Stahl (5-5, G). Junior Elizabeth Heydinger (5-7, W). Sophomores Emma Rhodes (5-8, P), Ally Green (5-6, G), Alivia Niese (5-10, P), Aubrey Lutz (5-5, G), Zoie Lewis (5-3, G). Freshmen Taylor Ratliff (5-5, G), Kyleigh Brown (5-7, W), Lydia Auckerman (5-6, G), Kendra Auckerman (5-6, G), Lauren Jensen (5-8, P), Courtney Stahl (5-7, W). Outlook: You can call the Bucks young and short on experience, just don't say they're not up for a challenge. One year after setting a program record for points in a season, tying for second in N10 and reaching the regional semifinals, Buckeye Central tries to keep it going on the strength of four veterans and 12 of the 17 varsity players coming from the freshman and sophomore classes. “We hope it's more of a reload than a rebuild. We've got some kids that are stepping up,” Moore said. “We know that we lost a lot, because those four seniors we lost that started and the fifth one that had been with us all those years, we know we've got some growing pains to go through. But we think we're going to be alright. “Last year's team was highest scoring team in the history of Buckeye Central, and we've had a lot of success over the years at Buckeye,” he said. “And for those girls to accomplish that, we're missing a lot of points and we've got to rely on other kids, but we believe those kids will step up and
“We hope it’s more of a reload than a rebuild. We’ve got some kids that are stepping up.” — Greg Moore Buckeye Central coach
do their job.” Four of last year's five seniors were starters, including N10 players Isabelle Biglin (second team) and Haley Green (honorable mention). The one returning starter is Karl, and she's a good one to have. The first-team All-Ohioan averaged 15.8 points, 7.9 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game. Moore said he looks for Pifher to step up more this year, Evak to move from a role player to a threat and Stump to continue improving as she gains more experience. Throw in Ratliff and Brown from the freshman class and Moore believes the Bucks can again compete for the N10 title. “We think we can be right there in the mix. Our goal right now is to get better. We've been a couple weeks behind with the volleyball (team) having the (state tournament) success they did, which was a great thing for our kids and our community,” he said. “I think the chemistry's coming, because a lot of them played volleyball together,” he said.
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22 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
Buckeye Central wrestling (front, left): Caleb Surber, Wyatt Corfman, Cody Crews, Tobie Hickman, Davey Williams (back) Chris Smith, Chris Acevado, Mike Omlor, Jacob Maxhimer, Jacob Rowland, Hunter Vaughn.
Buckeye Central wrestling
Coach: Chris Smith, eighth season 2016-17: Seventh in Northern 10 Athletic Conference Returning letterwinners: Junior Jacob Rowland (150, 170). Sophomores Davey Williams (138), Jacob Maxhimer (182, 195). Others: Senior Michael Omlar (285). Juniors Chris Acevedo (285), Wyatt Corfman (145), Caleb Surver (132). Sophomores Cody Crews (132), Toby Hickman (113, 120).
Mohawk wrestling Coach: Nate Lofay, fourth year Team members: Seniors David Daniel (106); Daniel Price (138); Rico Lopez (152); Ian Pursell (152); Parker Brown (170); Jacob Amlin (220); Nick Theis (220). Juniors Caden Gurney (132); Parker Patchett (145). Sophomores Austin England (145); Morgan Price (145); Blake Spitler (145); Grant Theis (160). Freshmen Jesse Leeth (145); Kaleb Leeth (160); Zack Leeth (170); James Clouse (195). Outlook: The Mohawk squad has two of last seasonʼs returning state qualifiers returning for their senior year. Parker Brown will be trying to return to state as a 170-pounder, while Daniel Price will do so at 138 pounds. “They are captains of the team,” said Mohawk coach Nate Lofay. “Theyʼre looking to get back down to the state tournament.” Danielʼs younger brother Morgan Price will be wrestling in the 145 slot as a sophomore. “Heʼs nice looking for us,” Lofay said. Freshman Kaleb Leeth (160) looks like he will also fill a spot in the Warriorsʼ lineup. “He could be something special if he gets used to this high school stuff as a freshman,” he said. Caden Gurney was a district qualifier last season as a sophomore. As a junior, Lofay thinks that Gurney is looking for big things in his junior campaign. “Maybe a trip down to Columbus,” Lofay said. In the early parts of the season, Lofay and his coaching staff have been getting the squad prepped for the season and getting the grapplersʼ weights to where it needs to be. Right now the Warriors are lacking some classes between 106 and 132 — with those slots not filled. “We got to get some lighter guys because we donʼt have lighter guys on the team right now,” Lofay said. “From 132 to probably 182 we are stacked. “Our seniors this year are leaders. They are really pushing everybody and we got good comradery right now. Weʼve got some young freshmen pushing some older guys and that competition in the room is always great. It makes everyone better.”
Outlook: Buckeye Central has more wrestlers this year than last year, but depth and experience will hinder the Bucks this season. “The biggest challenges are the number of new kids, trying to teach the new kids,” Smith said. “All the boys are real close,” he said. “They encourage each other, help each other out.” Just three veterans return, but Maxhimer was the only Buck who placed at the N10 Tournament last year, taking
Holiday ■ from page 4
youngsters passed with impressive marks and the Wildcats from Philly showed they are a group to be reckoned with this year. "That's what happens in college basketball," Villanova coach Jay Wright said after winning a surprise-filled Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. "You're really never as good as everyone says you are and you're not as bad as people say you are." Here are some takeaways from those holiday tournaments: UPPERCLASSMEN CAN PLAY Notre Dame: The Irish have great senior
Gambling ■ from page 4
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear a case that could lead to the federal ban on sports betting being struck down, the leagues are hedging their bets — preparing for a future of expanded gambling and hoping to have a say in how legalization takes effect. The NBA and Major League Baseball see gambling as something that could enhance fan interest and open up new revenue opportunities. However, the leagues insist that appropriate regulations should be put in place to prevent corruption— something that a court ruling in New Jersey's favor wouldn't do, at least not right way. Much has changed since 2012, when the leagues and the NCAA sued New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to stop him from legalizing sports betting at the casinos and racetracks in his state. At the time, MLB and the NBA were led by old-school commissioners who bore the scars of gambling scandals in their leagues, including Pete Rose in baseball and referee Tim Donaghy in basketball. Baseball's Bud Selig said in a deposition that gambling was "evil, creates doubt and destroys your sport." Selig and the NBA's David Stern have since been replaced, respectively, by Rob Manfred and Adam Silver, both of whom have taken a fresh look at gambling. Silver argued three years ago in a New York Times op-ed that sports gambling should be legalized. Manfred said earlier
fourth at 160 pounds. Smith said he looks for letterwinners to make improvements. And while many on the team will struggle at times, Smith said he looks for them all to win matches against opponents of comparable talent and skill. “We know we're not going to beat the kids that have been in the sport for a long time,” he said. “Our goal is to win the winnable matches.”
leadership in preseason Associated Press All-American Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell, along with multiple scoring options and plenty of grit. The Fighting Irish rallied from 16 down in the Maui final to beat Wichita State in Lahaina, Hawaii, and made every needed big play late. Colson (25 points, 11 rebounds) can do it all, while Farrell — the tournament's MVP — is the perfect point guard for this group. Wichita State: The Shockers have veteran talent, though their Maui letdowns — trailing big against California , squandering the lead to the Irish — offer plenty for coach Gregg Marshall to work from in practice. Still, the Shockers are good at both ends, ranking in the top 12 of KenPom's ad-
this year that gambling "can be a form of fan engagement, it can fuel the popularity of a sport" — and he raised the prospect of people betting during games on whether the next pitch will be a strike. He's also said MLB wants a seat at the table if Congress considers legalization. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said gambling isn't a major concern because so little money is wagered on hockey compared to other sports. The NHL this season became the first major U.S. league to place a franchise in Las Vegas, where sports gambling is legal, and the NFL will follow in 2019. For the past several years, the NFL has also played games in London, where people can bet on sports online. Commissioner Roger Goodell has conceded that his position on the issue has "evolved." "I think there are multiple signs of the sports leagues, including the NFL, taking a fresh look at this issue. You don't place a team in Nevada, in Las Vegas, without an understanding that the issue is changing. Frankly, you don't play games in Wembley Stadium, where most of the people in the stands are betting on their phones during the game, without an understanding that things are changing," Geoff Freeman, CEO of the American Gaming Association, told The Associated Press. "For those that want to see sports betting, the trajectory is in their favor." The leagues have also embraced fantasy sports, which Goodell has argued is not gambling because players win based on the performance of individual athletes, not the outcome of games. Rep. Frank Pallone, a
justed offensive and defensive efficiency numbers through Saturday's games. Worth noting: The Shockers nearly won in Maui without Markis McDuffie. Last year's top scorer and rebounder is out until next month with a stress fracture in his foot, so there's room to grow. DIFFERENT KINDS OF CATS Arizona: The Wildcats entered the Bahamas with a No. 2 ranking. They left with a stunning 0-3 showing. The Wildcats allowed North Carolina State, SMU and Purdue to shoot 45 percent overall and 42 percent from 3-point range. There were rebounding and turnover problems against SMU (20 offensive rebounds
■ please see HOLIDAY, 33
New Jersey Democrat and a longtime proponent of legalized sports betting, doesn't buy that distinction. "The NFL teams have invested in daily fantasy sports even though the NFL itself hasn't. It's just so inconsistent," Pallone said. "How do you make the case and say that's not gambling?" New Jersey is challenging the constitutionality of the federal ban on sports betting that Congress approved in 1992. The ban only allowed sports betting in the four states that had previously authorized it, and only Nevada's law at the time allowed bets on individual games. In Delaware, casinos offer parlay bets on NFL games. "I go through Delaware and they allow it, and I come to my own state and they're not allowed to do it. It's just ridiculous," Pallone told AP. "I think there's a good chance that the court is going to say you can't say to one state they can have sports betting and another state that they can't, and then dictate what state has what." Opponents maintain that state-sponsored gambling preys on vulnerable people and creates a variety of social ills. A coalition of anti-gambling and religious groups argued in a brief that legalized gambling would open the door for casino companies to further "target and exploit the financially desperate, exacerbate crime, cultivate addiction, and force even those citizens who rarely or never gamble to foot the bill for the enormous social costs and state budget problems they leave behind." While legal sports books could entice more people to place bets, the practice is al-
ready widespread. The AGA estimates that Americans bet $150 billion on sports annually, and only 3 percent of those bets are made legally. The technology that allows more people to place bets has also enabled data collection that makes game-fixing more difficult because suspicious betting patterns can be seen in real time. With most pro players making millions, it's unlikely they would risk careers and jail by throwing games. Game-fixing is much easier to stop and prosecute in countries with legal betting than in places without it, said Andreas Krannich, an executive at Sportradar, a London-based gambling security firm. "In a well-regulated market, the risk of manipulation is less," Krannich said, because bookmakers "participate in the detection and the follow-up of criminal cases." The leagues are concerned that the Supreme Court could allow sports gambling to become legal without those protections in place. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league "prefers a comprehensive federal approach to legalized sports betting, as opposed to a hodgepodge of state-bystate laws." If the court rules against the leagues, it would be up to the states to regulate gambling themselves until Congress steps in. "The integrity of the games — and I know from my discussions — is the No. 1 priority of the leagues," Freeman said. "We share that desire for integrity. I think increasingly, people recognize that the surest way to guarantee integrity is in a regulated market."
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 –23
Mohawk girls basketball
Mohawk girls basketball (front, left): Brooke Hannam, Grace Morehart, Shay Miller, Sandra Pennington, Anna Stillberger, Aubrey Margraf (back) Marah Gillig, Aubrie Harper, Rodney Gilliland, Amy Kozel, Sunshine Cleveland, Madison Fredritz, Paityn Clouse.
Coach: Amy Kozel 2016-17: 12-12. Returning letterwinners: Seniors Shay Miller (G), Grace Morehart (F), Anna Stillberger (G). Juniors Madison Fredritz (F), Aubrey Margraf (G). Others: Senior Sandra Pennington (G). Junior Aubrie Harper (G). Sophomore Brooke Hannam (G). Freshmen Paityn Clouse (F), Marah Gillig (G). Outlook: Mohawk was improving every year under the direction of Brad Weaver, but with new coach Amy Kozel,
the Warriors are hoping to continue the trend. The Warriors were middle of the road in the N10 last season with the likes of Upper Sandusky, Carey and Buckeye Central at the top. Not much should change this season, with those three returning a lot of players and talent. The Warriors lost a few seniors from last season as Chelsey Trusty led the team inn scoring with 15.1 points per contest. Beth Dundore recorded three steals per game. The Warriors do have some returners with Miller,
SENIORS
Stillberger and Morehart leading the way as seniors and the three players who had a lot of time at the varsity level. Margraf has also played some minutes this past season. The Warriors will be challenged in the post as the tallest girl is listed at 5-foot-8 and that is Stillberger, who is a guard. They will have to deal with the likes of Carey's Sydney Kin, who is 6-foot-2 and Upper Sandusky's Megan Hensel, who is a monster on the boards.
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24 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
Mohawk boys basketball
Mohawk Boys basketball (front, left): Zach Hayman, Tyler Tusing, Kaiden Hammer, Keith Jenkins, Marshall Stull (back) Cameron Shellhouse, Kedryk Leeth, Dan Hammer, Paul Dunn, Brock Cleveland, Chris Klopp, Ryan Lacey.
Coach: Paul Dunn 2016-17: 10-15, 5-11 N10 Returning letterwinners: Senior Ryan Lacey (P). Juniors Keith Jenkins (G); Chris Klopp (P); Zach Hayman (G). Others: Seniors Tyler Tusing (G); Marshall Stull (P); Cameron Shellhouse (P). Junior Kedryk Leeth (P). Sophomore Hunter Gottfried (G). Freshmen Austin Tusing (G); Landen Snyder (G). Outlook: It wasn't a great regular season for Mohawk in Dunn's first season, but the Warriors put together an impressive postseason run, which reached the district tournament. Four players, three starters return from that team, and Dunn is hoping the Warriors can improve in the regular season.
“We’ve got a good mixture of good guards and height.” — Paul Dunn Mohawk boys basketball coach
“Last year our biggest thing was putting the ball in the basket,” Dunn said. “Between defense and rebounding, a lot of that's effort.” So, Dunn said as long as the Warriors continue to give strong effort, those areas should be strong. “We've got a good mixture of good guards and height,” Dunn said. “We've rebounded well in preseason, it's just finding different ways to up our scoring.” To do that, Dunn and his staff will be looking to three returners – Jenkins, Hayman and Hammer – to be his go-to guys. “(Those are players) we're gonna look to when we need a basket,” Dunn said. “Between those three guards, I look for those guys to be the leaders.” The team also has four seniors, but only one of them,
Lacey, played varsity last season. “We had a lot of seniors (last season) that filled roles on the team that every team needs,” Dunn said. “The seniors, all four of them, buy into their roles and will be big members of the team.” Dunn said he expects the N10 to be exciting this season. “It's definitely gonna be a goal of ours to move up,” Dunn said. The coach listed the N10's top three contenders as Upper Sandusky, Colonel Crawford and Carey. “We're in the top of the next group,” Dunn said. “I wouldn't be surprised to see the conference champions have two or three losses, and there's no doubt in my mind we can compete to be one of those top teams.”
Mohawk wrestling (front, left): Colton Price, Kaleb Leeth, Zach Leeth, Branyon Winings, James Clouse, Jesse Leeth, Anthony Zender (second) David Daniel, Parker Patchett, Daniel Price, Blake Spitler, Parker Brown, Grant Theis, Morgan Price, Caden Gurney (back) Nate Lofay, Austin England, Jacob Amlin, Nick Theis, Rico Lopez, Ian Pursell, Brad Rice.
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 – 25
Lakota wrestling (front, left): Dakota Klotz, Bryce Anderson, Anthony Johnson, Darry Endicott, Parker Grine, Logan Bloom (back) Rob Timmons, Trevor Franks, John Jacquot, Alex Peace, Jaymn Bartson, Lane Paul, Adam Thacker.
Lakota wrestling
Coach: Rob Timmons, fourth season 2016-17: Seventh in Sandusky Bay Conference Returning letterwinners: Seniors Darry Endicott (138), Thomas Shipley (182), Dakota Klotz (285), Parker Grine (126), Anthony Johnson (120), Logan Bloom (132), Bryce Anderson (145). Junior John Jacquot (170). Sophomores Trevor Franks (152), Jaymn Bartson (195), Wayne Paul (132). Others: Sophomores David Frye (170), Jared Hutton (220). Freshman Alex Peace (195). Outlook: Lakota's push for success this year will come
from its seniors and sophomores, and with good reason. The Raiders are veteran-heavy, with all but one of the letterwinners coming from those two grades. Endicott, Klotz and Shipley should all reach 100 career wins this year, with Franks back after going 36-9 last year. Franks and Klotz both reached the district last year, while Endicott and Grine getting there two years ago. “All those seniors should be right there where they were last year, to compete to make it to state,” Timmons said. “(The sophomores) push my seniors a lot,” he said.
“You've got sophomores trying to take spots from the seniors and it makes it competitive in the wrestling room, and that's all you can ask for.” The Raiders will give up points at 106 and 113, but Timmons said he feels this year's group can claim a conference crown, which would be a great cap for the senior class with which he started his head coaching career. “It's been a work in progress. We've done some pretty good things over the years and I think we'll compete for a title this year,” he said. “I really think my team, we're really planning on winning an SBC title.”
Lakota boys basketball (front, left): Tyler Wehrle, Tyler Gabel, Nathan Walter, Jordan White, Levi Myers, Brian Miller, Josh Kagy (back) Nick Kille, Tyler Tea, Carter Reinhart, Cameron Balderson, Ty Ray, Collin Hipster, Braden Schaser, Roger Geyman, Kevin Strausbaugh.
Lakota boys basketball
Coach: Ty Ray, third season 2016-17: 4-19, 3-9 Sandusky Bay Conference River Division Returning letterwinners: Seniors Jordan White (PG), Josh Kagy (W), Tyler Gabel (W), Levi Myers (W, P), Tyler Wehrle (P). Junior Cam Balderson (P). Sophomore Braden Schaser (PG). Others: Seniors Brian Miller (W, P), Nathan Walter (W, P). Junior Collin Hipsher (W). Sophomore Carter Reinhart (W). Outlook: The Raiders have veterans to build around, just not as many as they hoped. White (5 points, 2 assists) was set to run the point for Lakota, but will miss the year after breaking his leg during football season. “Losing Jordan really hurts us. This was going to be the first year since I've been
here that I was going have some depth. Losing a returning point guard really hurts us,” Ray said. “Now, having said that, … Braden Schaser has done a phenomenal job and is really stepping up.” The Raiders will need stepping up from everyone, especially when it comes to scoring. Lakota has struggled with putting the ball in the hoop for the past few years. “The biggest challenge is going to be the same as it's been the last three years — finding scoring. We don't have any one who's a pure basketball player,” Ray said. “Shooting percentage the last few years has been pretty bad and so far it's continued to be (in the preseason).” Kagy leads the returning veterans after averaging nine points and five rebounds
“The biggest challenge is going to be the same as it’s been the last three years — finding scoring. We don’t have anyone who’s a pure basketball player.” — Ty Ray Lakota coach
last year. Gabel (2 rebounds) added eight points, Wehrle turned in six points and five boards, and Myers had three points and three rebounds. And despite the continued struggles, Ray said the Raiders are showing progress so far. “Our flexibility and athleticism is pretty interchangeable. Everybody can do a bit of everything,” he said. “I think our biggest thing will be finding consistency for four quarters. I think we can compete night in and night out, and we haven't been able to do that the last few years,” he said. “We haven't had to worry about that night in and night out because we were getting down quite a bit early and this year we really shouldn't have to worry about that.”
26 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
WINTER SPORTS
Lakota girls basketball
Lakota girls basketball (front, left): Samantha Wallace, Faith Biddle, Mackenzie Feathers, Kaitlyn Mogle, Katelyn Klotz, Qiara Palos (back) Alison Salyer, Cathy Hanek, Madison King, Alexa Gabel, Aliza Dauterman, Brooke Shank, Erin Foos.
Coach: Cathy Hanek 2016-17: 3-20. Returning letterwinners: Seniors Mackenzie Feathers (G); Faith Biddle (G), Kaitlyn Mogle (G). Juniors Katelyn Klotz (G) Brooke Shank (F); Samantha Wallace (G); Madison King (G). Others: Juniors Qiara Palos; Aliza Dauterman (F). Sophomore Alexa Gabel. Outlook: Hanek has a few reasons to be optimistic
about the Raiders. One reason is familiarity. Hanek is starting her second year as Lakota's coach. “Obviously, my second year, (the players are) more familiar with me,” Hanek said. “We're leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year. ... I think they've grown a lot as players.” Hanek said she also expects the reconfigured SBC River to be more competitive.
“I think our league is a little bit different,” she said. “St. Joe is at the top, after that it gets interesting. I hope we can compete a lot better in our league.” For help with that, Hanek said she will look to Feathers. “McKenzie Feathers had a great summer, she's a very good leader, our players respond to her, and she's done everything we've asked her to do,” Hanek said. “We've kind of encouraged her to be more selfish with the ball than she's been in the past.”
SENIORS
2018 Lakota
Lakota bowling
Raiders
Lakota boys bowling (front, left): Mark Capehart, Jack Greiner, Jonathan Mason, Caleb Chalfin, Travis Enright (back) Adam Rutledge, Jacob Uhlman, Marshall Minich, Tyler Hushour, Connor Powell.
Coach: Jan Thibodeau 2016-17: BOYS — 13th at sectional. GIRLS — Seventh at sectional Returning letterwinners: Seniors: BOYS — Caleb Chalfin, Jonathan Mason. GIRLS — Cheyenne Heath, Makenna Linkey, Taylor Uhlman. Juniors: BOYS — Travis Enright, Tyler Hushour. GIRLS — Gabrielle Dauterman. Sophomores: GIRLS: — Gabby Bishop, Paige Curlis. Others: Seniors: BOYS — Jack Greiner. GIRLS — Autumn Bordner, Paige Franks, Olivia Harden, Rachel Miller, Emilee Roper. Juniors: BOYS — Jared
Hutton, Connor Powell, Mark Capehart. Sophomores: BOYS — Marshall Minich, Peter Statham, Jacob Uhlman, Cameron Dunn. Freshmen: BOYS — Caleb Meel. GIRLS — Emma Chalfin. Outlook: Depth shouldn't be a problem for either Lakota team this year, with the 13 boys and 12 girls hitting the lanes. Toss in four veteran boys and six veteran girls, and Thibodeau feels the Raiders have a chance to do well, despite a tough Sandusky Bay Conference schedule.
■ please see LAKOTA BOWLING, 33
Lakota girls bowling (front, left): Cheyenne Heath, Makenna Linkey, Taylor Uhlman, Rachel Miller, Olivia Harden, Autumn Bordner, Emilee Roper (back) Gabby Bishop, Dakota Norris, Paige Curlis, Emma Chalfin, Gabrielle Dauterman.
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 – 27
Clyde boys bowling (front, left): Caleb Hammons, Braden Boyd, Reis Ulman, Wyatt Craig, Zach Weinheimer, Daine Greider, Gage Hill (back) Ted Fought, Nathan Whitman, Jason Bickhart, Jeremiah Butts, Alex Long, Bryce Fought, Brady Fought.
Clyde boys bowling
Coach: Ted Fought Returning letterwinners: Seniors Daine Greider, Jason Bickhart. Juniors Bryce Fought, Jeremiah Butts, Alex Long, Wyatt Craig. Sophomore Brady Fought. Outlook: With a lot of experience back and some good talent on the roster, Clyde boys bowling will be on the rise this winter. Coach Fought told his team he has high expectations for his team, and with good reason. “We really came together at the end of last season and really played well, so I hope that continues into this season,” he said. “I think the seniors are silent leaders and the juniors are more vocal, so it's a little flip-flopped from what you'd expect, but we do have some good leadership
on this team. I've seen some decent scores so far, so I think we'll be alright this season. “As far as leaders in scoring, I would say Bryce and Daine will be the leaders in that respect.” One of the problems the team had last season was picking up spares, and Fought has addressed it early and has seen improvement. “I've preached to the kids to pick up spares because they might win a match for us,” Fought said. “We struggled with that at times, so we've put in a lot of work on that. I think it's both mental and technique picking up those spares because you have to concentrate more on looking at a different aiming point and moving your feet a different way and change your shot.
“We just have to stay up and positive this year. If you make a bad shot or miss a spare, just think about the next one and keep moving forward.” The Sandusky Bay Conference will be split into two divisions, with Lake and the Bay in bowling. Fought said he expects to be right up with Sandusky, Perkins and Columbian in the division. “We had a team-building exercise at the beginning of the year, and I asked them a few questions and they wrote down some goals they wanted to achieve. Everyone of them said they wanted to win a SBC title,” he said. “I think we can if we go out and do what we are capable of doing.”
Clyde girls bowling (front, left): Alyssa Spencer, Mackenzie Begley, Sidnee Estep, Waverly Perry (back) Shannon Begley, Allie Gettys, Ariah Dorobek, Halle Elder, Samantha Adams.
Clyde girls bowling
Coach: Shannon Begley Returning letterwinners: Juniors Mackenzie Begley, Waverly Perry. Others: Juniors Alyssa Spencer, Sidnee Estep. Sophomores Allie Gettys, Samantha Adams. Freshmen Ariah Dorobek, Halle Elder. Outlook: Clyde girls bowling has a few new players and a new coach this season, in Begley. But his daughter has been on the team a few years, so he's not new to Clyde or the sport. “I took the job because Brad (Milleson) called me up
and asked if I wanted to help out and I told him I would,” Begley said. “We've known each other for years now and we bowl together and I told him I have nothing better to do.” Begley said he was impressed with the talent on the team, but there were also some players who have never bowled before, at least competitively. “There is some talent here and I think we should be able to compete this year, I really don't see a reason on why not,” he said. “With a little help from us I think this team will get on track.”
He said Mackenzie Begley and Spencer will be two of its top bowlers this season, with Perry chipping in as well. But it's all about improving. “I just expect them to keep getting better throughout the season,” Begley said. “The ones that have no experience bowling I let them watch the others that have done this before and preach squaring up their hips, arms and shoulders to pins so they will throw it straight consistently. There is a lot of technique that goes into bowling not many people think about.”
28 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
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Clyde boys basketball (front, left): Brock Newsome, James Dry (second) Noah Prunty, Carson Rieman, Derick Harrah, Camaron Farrar, Trevor Burtch, Conner Long (back) Ryan Fretz, Derek Gray, Joe Schied, Seth Hohman, Jaylan Johnson, Blayze Behney, Tyler Myers, David Michel.
Clyde boys basketball
Coach: Ryan Fretz 2016-17: 6-17, 4-10 SBC Returning letterwinners: Seniors Conner Long (G), Seth Hohman (F), Noah Prunty (F), Jaylan Johnson (F). Trevor Burtch (G). Juniors Brock Newsome (G), James Dry (G), Derick Harrah (F). Others: Junior Cam Farrar (F). Sophomore Carson Rieman (G). Outlook: It will be the second season for Fretz as the Clyde mentor. Last year, the Fliers had a lot of athletes, but didn't have much varsity experience. It's a little different this season. The Fliers return a bunch of talent, athleticism and experience to the lineup. “We have spent some time together in the summer and making a trip out west to
play some teams and knowing we are here at Clyde with all of the football success, it was nice to have that time in the summer, because we always have some guys a little later coming from football,” Fretz said. “We developed a good chemistry then and we still have it now. We have eight lettermen back and four starters, so we just need to build off last year. “We know the expectations are rising and with the returners we have and some guys off a 16-6 JV team last season adding some double-digit scorers, the competition in practice will definitely benefit us.” The Fliers have a lot of experience, but Long is the leader on the floor, Fretz said.
“There is no doubt Conner is the leader of this team. He leads by example and vocally and he's the go-to guy out there,” he said. “After that, Hohman and Harrah averaged double digits in scoring for us last year, so we'll also be leaning on them. And there's no doubt a 6-foot-5 guy in the post will help us in Johnson. “Right now, I see our depth as a strength and our athleticism. It screams out press and pressure the ball to me and we will also be good in transition. I think with our pressure and press, even when we might not have the lead at halftime, we should be able to wear people down, so hopefully that shows up late on the scoreboard.”
A weakness last year was shooting, he said. They shot the ball just around 23 percent from three, so extra shooting drills and just getting the shoulder pads off from football season will help them out. “The pieces are starting to fit together for us now,” Fretz said. “If we can shoot the ball a little better, and last year we didn't respond well to the physicality of the game. The SBC will be a gauntlet. “I'm just interested to see how it pans out, really. If we play to the level I think we are capable, we should be able to compete in the league, but if we don't, it will be a long night or a long season. There are no cupcakes in this league.”
Clyde wrestling (front, from left): Chris Oleksiak, Tyson West, Shane Ott, Trenton Nominee, Jacob Eisenhower, Maximus Yates, James Batesole (second) Jacob Herrera, Rush Andres, Alex McKee, Lucas McKee, Tyler Duskin, Cameron Crooks, Anson Frederick, Cameron Krueger (third) Nick Ortiz, Levi Graham, Caleb Townsley, Christian Hummel-Meek, Jeremiah Halbeisen, Johnny Loparo, Alec Montgomery (fourth) Jared Norman, Hank Webb, Nick Shull, Ben Seavers, Kristopher Mange, Mason Dick (back) Sam Viengmany, Cliff Andres, Drew Linder, Dave Stanley, Sahen Fultz.
Coach: Cliff Andres Returning letterwinners: Seniors Alec Montgomery, Johnny Loparo, Kris Mange. Juniors Lucas McKee, Jared Norman. Sophomores Rush Andres, James Batesole, Hank Webb, Ben Severs, Nick Ortiz. Others: Senior Nick Shull. Juniors Tyler Duskin, Dalton Warwick. Freshmen Chris Oleksiak, Jeremiah Halbeisen, Cameron Krueger, Tyson West.
Clyde wrestling
Outlook: Coach Andres takes over a storied program in Clyde this season from Bob Blackburn. Andres knows what it takes to have a top program, as he was a state champion in 1993 with the Fliers. “We are inexperienced, but at the same time they all have a wrestling background, so we aren't starting from the bottom,” he said. “Most of them know the process here. We are pretty green, but I think we'll
do alright this year. “We just have to get the kids to buy in to what we are doing here. I think we'll surprise some people. We have 11 returning from districts last year and we are looking for Montgomery and Loparo to lead us this year. Loparo has really stepped up for us.” He also said Mange, Norman and McKee, along with a few in the junior class, should be the mainstays for Clyde in the lineup.
“We are a pretty cohesive group right now. We don't have a bunch of chaos in the room with 30 or so guys, which is nice, Andres said. “They all get along and they believe in what I'm teaching them. The room feels completely different from the last few years in practice and I think if they stay at it, I'm looking at three or four guys to state this year and hopefully just keep building from there.”
WINTER SPORTS
The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 – 29
Clyde girls basketball
Clyde girls basketball (front, left): Haley Salazar, Samantha Ackerman, Sidney Hohman, Heidi Marshall, Ashtyn Gill (second) Marissa Stockmaster, Madison Bannister, Alexis Keegan, Grace Knehr, Kaylee Eltringham, Sierra Hisey (back) Bill Strong, Scott Nossaman, Alayna Barrera, Jaqueline Smith, Mary Wilkerson, Janelle Kowaleski, Dave Lozier.
Coach: Dave Lozier 2017-18: 22-3, 14-0 SBC, lost at regionals Returning letterwinners: Seniors Heidi Marshall (PG), Alayna Barrera (W), Ashtyn Gill (W), Sam Ackerman (W) Juniors Jackie Smith (P), Maddie Bannister (W), Sierra Hisey junior (W), Mary Wilkerson (P). Others: Sophomore Marissa Stockmaster (G). Freshman Haley Salazar (G). Outlook: It was a special season for Clyde last year, with the Fliers playing in their third regionals in school history. The Fliers also went unbeaten in the SBC. The Fliers still have one of the best players in the area
in Marshall at the point guard spot and a few other upperclassmen to lean on. “Everyday we are just trying to get better to try to reach that level of play we had at the end of the season a year ago,” Lozier said. “With Heidi, I have to stop her sometimes in practice and tell her to slow down because I don't want her to think she has the weight of the world on her shoulders this season. There are some other players that can do some things for us. “Only having to replace two starters is a good thing.” Barrera played a lot of good minutes for the Fliers last year, Lozier said. He also called her a tough kid that got
along with everyone. “We have five or six quality players and some kids off the bench have some talent as well. We are just trying to find that depth,” Lozier said. “A lot of other coaches I've talked to have about the same as us with a solid starting five and then some players that need to step up and help off the bench. If we can get that, we should be one of the top teams in the league.” Lozier said he and the girls are ready for the season and to play against some other girls instead of just each other in practice. To repeat last season will be tough, but the Fliers will have some good competition to play.
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GIRLS @ New Riegel @ Calvert @ Danbury @ Fremont SJCC @ Old Fort Cory Rawson Sandusky SMCC Monroeville New Riegel @ Maumee Valley CDS Calvert Fremont SJCC Old Fort Woodmore @ Sandusky SMCC Jones Leadership Academy @ Gibsonburg
BOYS 12/1 12/2 12/9 12/15 12/19 12/21 12/23 12/28 12/30 1/5 1/6 1/13 1/19 1/20 1/25 2/3 2/8 2/10 2/16 2/17 2/20 2/23
BOYS 12/1 12/2 12/8 1215 12/16 12/21 12/23 1/4 1/6 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/20 1/26 1/27 2/1 2/3 2/9 2/10 2/16 2/17 2/23
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Buckeye Central Plymouth @ South Central @ Mohawk @ Seneca East @ Willard @ Upper Sandusky Ridgedale @ Carey Bucyrus @ Colonel Crawford Wynford Mohawk Seneca East New Riegel @ Galion Upper Sandusky @ Ridgedale Carey @ Bucyrus Colonel Crawford Crestview @ Wynford
12/1 12/2 12/9 12/15 12/16 12/21 12/23 12/28 12/30 1/6 1/12 1/13 1/18 1/19 1/27 2/3 2/8 2/10 2/16 2/17 2/20 2/23
11/30 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/16 12/22 12/27 12/30 1/2 1/4 1/6 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/18 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/9 2/13
Clay Upper Sandusky Norwalk @ Fostoria Bowling Green Sandusky @ Perkins Bellevue @ Shelby @ Clyde @ Genoa @ Norwalk @ Kenton @ Sandusky Margaretta Perkins @ New Riegel @ Bellevue @ Port Clinton Shelby Fremont Ross Clyde
12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/14 12/16 12/19 12/22 12/29 1/2 1/4 1/6 1/12 1/16 1/20 1/23 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/17
GIRLS Cory Rawson Buckeye Central @ Colonel Crawford @ Carey @ Old Fort @ Bucyrus Calvert Wynford @ Seneca East @ Hopewell-Loudon Upper Sandusky Ridgedale @ Buckeye Central Colonel Crawford Carey Bucyrus @ Wynford Seneca East @ Upper Sandusky Galion @ Ridgedale @ Ridgemont
Seneca East
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12/2 @ Norwalk 12/5 @ Upper Sandusky 12/9 Oak Harbor 12/12 @ Madison 12/16 @ Sandusky 12/19 Huron 12/22 @ Perkins 12/27 @ Bellevue 1/5 Shelby 1/9 Clyde 1/13 Norwalk 1/16 Fremont Ross 1/18 Port Clinton 1/23 Sandusky 1/27 Perkins 1/30 @ Lexington 2/2 Bellevue 2/6 @ New Riegel 2/10 @ Shelby 2/15 @ Clyde
Mohawk
Calvert @ Plymouth Ridgedale Buckeye Central @ Bucyrus @ Colonel Crawford Upper Sandusky Mohawk Wynford Carey @ Calvert @ Ridgedale Fostoria @ Buckeye Central Bucyrus Colonel Crawford @ Upper Sandusky @ Mohawk @ Wynford @ Old Fort Firelands @ Carey
GIRLS
@ Crestview @ Mohawk Seneca East @ New Riegel @ Upper Sandusky Ridgedale @ Carey @ MCS Holiday Showcase Riverdale Bucyrus @ Colonel Crawford Wynford Mohawk @ Seneca East Willard Upper Sandusky @ Ridgedale Carey @ Bucyrus Colonel Crawford @ Wynford
Columbian
12/1 @ New Riegel 12/9 Buckeye Central 12/15 @ Colonel Crawford 12/16 @ Carey 12/21 Bucyrus 12/23 Wynford 12/28 @ Seneca East 12/30 @ Upper Sandusky 1/2 @ Hopewell-Loudon 1/5 Ridgedale 1/6 @ Ridgemont 1/13 @ Buckeye Central 1/19 Colonel Crawford 1/20 Arcadia 1/27 Carey 2/3 Bucyrus 2/8 Wynford 2/10 Seneca East 2/16 Upper Sandusky 2/17 Ridgedale 2/20 Fremont SJCC 2/23 Lakota
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GIRLS
South Central @ Ridgedale @ Buckeye Central Colonel Crawford Bucyrus Upper Sandusky @ Edison Mohawk @ Wynford @ New Riegel Carey Ridgedale Buckeye Central @ Bucyrus @ Colonel Crawford @ Upper Sandusky @ Mohawk Wynford @ Old Fort @ Fostoria @ Carey
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Steven P. Geroski IV, D.D.S., LLC General Dentistry and Orthodontics www.GeroskiDDS.com
430 Elm St., Fostoria BOYS 12/1 12/2 12/8 12/15 12/16 12/19 12/21 12/28 12/29 1/4 1/6 1/9 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/19 1/20 2/1 2/6 2/9 2/13 2/16 2/17
BOYS 12/2 12/8 12/14 12/15 12/19 12/22 12/23 12/28 12/29 1/4 1/9 1/12 1/18 1/19 1/25 1/27 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/16 2/20 2/23
BOYS 12/1 12/8 12/9 12/15 12/21 12/22 12/30 1/4 1/6 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/20 1/26 1/27 2/1 2/3 2/9 2/10 2/13 2/17 2/22
BOYS 12/1 12/2 12/7 12/9 12/16 12/21 1/6 1/19 1/25 2/8 2/10 2/17 2/23
Calvert @ Seneca East @ Bellevue @ Fremont SJCC Lakota @ Arcadia Gibsonburg @ Edison Hopewell-Loudon @ Sandusky SMCC New Riegel @ Old Fort Jones Leadership Academy Seneca East @ Norwalk St. Paul Fremont SJCC @ Lakota @ Riverdale Sandusky SMCC @ Elgin @ New Riegel Danbury Old Fort @ Margaretta
11/30 12/2 12/5 12/9 12/16 12/19 12/22 12/30 1/2 1/5 1/8 1/13 1/18 1/20 1/25 1/27 1/30 2/2 2/3 2/7 2/10 2/12
GIRLS @ New London @ Fremont SJCC Norwalk St. Paul Lakota @ Edison @ Mohawk @ Sandusky SMCC TBA Clyde @ Old Fort @ McComb Fremont SJCC New Riegel @ Lakota Gibsonburg Sandusky SMCC @ Riverdale @ New Riegel @ Van Buren Jones Leadership Academy Old Fort Hopewell-Loudon
Fostoria @ Cardinal Stritch Genoa @ Lake Columbian @ Eastwood Rossford @ Arcadia @ Holiday Classic @ Holiday Classic Otsego @ Woodmore Elmwood @ Seneca East @ Genoa Lake @ Hopewell-Loudon @ Rossford Eastwood @ Otsego Woodmore Carey @ Elmwood
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12/1 12/7 12/9 12/12 12/15 12/16 12/21 12/28
@ Rossford Eastwood Bowling Green @ Woodmore @ Otsego @ Lakota Lake @ Wapak Holiday Tournament 12/29 @ Wapak Holiday Tournament 1/2 Genoa 1/5 @ Elmwood 1/11 Rossford 1/18 @ Eastwood 1/23 Otsego 1/26 Woodmore 2/1 @ Lake 2/8 @ Genoa 2/10 Seneca East 2/15 Elmwood
New Riegel Mohawk @ Lakota Riverdale Old Fort @ Sandusky SMCC @ Carey @ North Baltimore @ Calvert @ Cory Rawson @ Fremont SJCC Lakota @ Old Fort @ Buckeye Central Sandusky SMCC @ Arcadia @ Colonel Crawford Columbian Calvert Clyde @ Oak Harbor Hopewell-Loudon Fremont SJCC
12/2 12/5 12/9 12/12 12/16 12/19 1/6 1/9 1/11 1/13 1/18 1/20 1/23 1/25 1/27 2/2 2/3 2/6 2/15 2/17
Lakota @ Hopewell-Loudon Old Fort Buckeye Central @ Elmwood @ Oak Harbor Seneca East Fremont SJCC @ Sandusky SMCC @ Lakota @ Calvert Cory Rawson Sandusky SMCC @ Old Fort Carey Calvert @ Arcadia Columbian @ Fremont SJCC @ North Baltimore
Upper Sandusky Willard @ Columbian Galion @ Shelby Ridgedale Buckeye Central Colonel Crawford Carey Bellevue Seneca East Bucyrus Wynford @ Colonel Crawford
12/5 12/16 12/29 1/9 1/16 1/20 1/26 2/9 2/13
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BOYS 12/1 12/2 12/9 12/15 12/19 12/21 12/22 12/28 12/30 1/5 1/6 1/11 1/19 1/27 2/3 2/6 2/10 2/16 2/17 2/20 2/23
@ Riverdale @ Van Buren @ Colonel Crawford Upper Sandusky Liberty Benton @ Wynford New Riegel Buckeye Central Ridgedale Bucyrus @ Seneca East Colonel Crawford @ Upper Sandusky @ Mohawk Wynford Vanlue @ Buckeye Central @ Ridgedale @ Bucyrus @ Fostoria Seneca East
BOYS 1/30 12/5 12/7 12/12 12/14 12/19 12/21 12/30 1/2 1/4 1/11 1/13 1/18 1/20 1/25 2/1 2/8 2/10 2/12 2/15
12/9 12/15 12/16 12/21 12/23 12/30 1/4 1/6 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/19 1/26 2/3 2/9 2/10 2/13 2/16 2/17 2/23
GIRLS
11/30 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/27 12/29 1/4 1/6 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/20 1/23 1/27 1/30 1/2 2/9
@ Old Fort Arcadia @ Colonel Crawford Upper Sandusky Mohawk @ Wynford Arlington Buckeye Central North Balitomre Ridgedale @ Bucyrus @ Seneca East Colonel Crawford @ Upper Sandusky @ Mohawk Wynford @ New Riegel @ Buckeye Central @ Ridgedale Bucyrus
2/13
Seneca East
Hopewell-Loudon Arlington New Riegel @ Van Buren @ Old Fort @ Riverdale Lakota McComb @ Fremont SJCC Mohawk @ Arcadia Cory Rawson @ Gibsonburg Liberty Benton Woodmore @ Leipsic @ Vanlue Pandora Gilboa @ Genoa @ Calvert @ North Baltimore
BOYS 12/2 12/7
Carey
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GIRLS
12/1 Hardin Northern 12/2 TBA 12/8 Riverdale 12/12 Lakota 12/15 @ Arcadia 12/16 @ Woodmore 12/22 @ Pandora Gilboa 12/28 @ Calvert 1/2 Mohawk 1/5 Vanlue 1/12 @ North Baltimore 1/13 Old Fort 1/19 Cory Rawson 1/20 Sandusky SMCC 1/26 Van Buren 1/27 Fostoria 2/2 @ Arlington 2/9 @ Liberty Benton 2/13 @ Willard 2/16 Leipsic 2/17 @ New Riegel 2/23 @ McComb
Old Fort
@ Vanlue Monclova Christian Academy Oak Harbor @ New Riegel @ Margaretta Fremont SJCC @ South Central @ Elmwood Lakota Calvert @ Sandusky SMCC @ Hopewell-Loudon Danbury New Riegel @ Fremont SJCC Arcadia @ Lakota @ North Baltimore @ Woodmore @ Calvert Seneca East Sandusky SMCC
Corner of U.S. 224 and SR. 18, Tiffin (419) 448-1375
11/30 12/5 12/9 12/12 12/14 12/16 12/19 12/30 1/5 1/9 1/11 1/13 1/17 1/23 1/25 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/8 2/10 2/15
Edenwood Veterinary Clinic 4686 S. St. Rt. 231 419-447-3913 Edenwood@midohiotwcbc.com www.edenwoodvet.com
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GIRLS Carey @ Genoa @ New Riegel Hopewell-Loudon Mohawk Fremont SJCC Woodmore Lakota Calvert @ Sandusky SMCC @ Margaretta @ Arcadia @ Clyde @ Fremont SJCC New Riegel Elmwood @ Lakota @ Oak Harbor Seneca East @ Calvert Sandusky SMCC
Dr. Joel Consolo
233 S. Monroe St. • 419-443-8637
GIRLS
Columbian Buckeye Central Bucyrus Colonel Crawford Carey Ridgedale Seneca East Wynford @ Colonel Crawford
25 Shaffer Park Drive 419-448-0191 170 S. Washington St. 419-448-5553 www.legcu.com
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32– The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
Old Fort girls basketball
Old Fort girls basketball (front, left): Whitney Bilger, Ashlyn Magers, Laini Gillett, Jenna Clouse, Hanna Bilger, Madison Guth (back) Kate Brickner, Sydney Hossler, Morgan Wilkinson, Jenny Ritzler, Madisyn Spencer, Morgan Miller, Greg Woodruff.
Coach: Jenny Ritzler, sixth year 2016-17: 24-4, 6-1 SBC River Outlook: After losing six seniors at the end of last season, coach Jenny Ritzler said this year is a “reloading year.” “We're reloading with five new seniors and several new juniors,” said Ritzler. With the season just starting with basically a new team, Ritzler isn't sure who she is expecting to take the step into the lead-
ership role. “I think this might be kind of a balanced year honestly,” she said. “I've been terming it a reloading year. I've got five seniors this year. One of them has significant playing time and the other ones have varsity experience, but not as much. We had a really good season last year and (the less experienced players) have been practicing with those girls all the years before. They've
seen what it takes. They may not have game experience, but they do have experience from last year. I'm hoping they can apply that. I think we just have some new roles we have to figure out.” The Stockaders actually have two players that have some significant varsity experience. Sydney Hossler and Morgan Miller had some playing time on last year's regional finals runner-up team.
Ritzler said her team has been focusing on defense so far this year. “I'm kind of a defensive-minded coach,” she said. “They've kind of been playing the offense against last year's seniors, so I feel like we get offense. I'm not worried about that. I've been really focusing on — if we want to have a good season, if we want to make a run — then we nned to continuously stick to a defensive effort.”
SENIORS
2018
Old Fort boys basketball
Old Fort boys basketball (front, left): Jacob Webb, Harmon Channels, Jordan Smith, Weston Miller, Zach Kohlenberg, Payn Young, Luke Wagner (back) Eric Hoover, Gregory Steyer, Zach DeWese, Carson Steyer, Preston Barney, AJ Steyer, Mason Salas, Elvis Beachler.
Coach: Eric Hoover, seventh year 2016-17 Record: 20-4, 9-1 SBC River Returning Letterwinners: Seniors Jacob Webb (G), Luke Wagner (G). Junior AJ Steyer (G/F). Others: Seniors Zach Kohlenberg (G), Payn Young (G), Preston Barney (P), Elvis Beachler (P). Juniors Weston Miller (G), Harmon Channels (G). Sophomores Jordan Smith (G), Gregory Steyer (G), Mason Salas (F), Carson Steyer (F). Freshman Zach DeWese (F). Outlook: Old Fort has very little varsity experience returning this year, but coach Hoover says he has plenty of younger guys with some talent and catching on to what he is coaching. “If we are able to improve throughout the year, I think we can be alright by the end of the year,” said Hoover. Webb and Wagner are returning seniors with significant playing time at the varsity level. Webb is a three-year letterwinner, while Wagner comes in with
two years of experience. “They got a lot of experience and experienced winning at the varsity level,” Hoover said. “Just having them on the floor leading and being able to help the younger guys, less experienced guys. “There's gonna be situations that are going to be crucial for us. AJ (Steyer) had a taste of it last year, but played a limited role, a defensive role — which he did a great job at — but now he is an upperclassman. He's gonna be asked to do more and expected to do more. I think that varsity experience he had last year really motivated him to work hard and he's excited about this season and leading with that experience as well.”
Hoover does have six seniors on his roster, but only Webb and Wagner have played on the varsity squad. The Stockaders are trying to get better everyday. “We have to practice with purpose,” Hoover said. “Especially with the inexperience of the varsity competition. Practice is important. “They can't go out there and practice at a JV level and try to play at a varsity level. They got to be able to pick up the pace in practice, otherwise they will get overwhelmed in games. That's kinda been a focus right now. They continued to look better in every scrimmage, so that's encouraging and they are catching on to things.”
Go Stockaders!
Old Fort
Stockaders
Good Luck Old Fort and All Area Teams!
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The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017 – 33
Bellevue girls basketball Coach: Kory Santoro 2017-18: 20-5, won NOL Returning letterwinners: Junior Payton Vogel (G/F). Sophomore Casey Santoro (G). Others: Senior Jedda Goddard (P). Juniors Riley Mohr (P), Destiny Carter (P). Sophomores Beyah Garcia (P), Alex Fisk (P). Freshmen Cory Santoro (G), Gabby Turner (G), Kami Hay (G). Outlook: Yeah, Bellevue is in a new league this season, but why would a league championship be out of question coming off of seven straight in the NOL? It certainly is expected from coach Santoro. Also, having Casey Santoro and Payton Vogel back mixed with freshman Cory Santoro will add up to a recipe for success for the Redmen. Casey Santoro, as a freshman, was an All-Ohioan last season, averaging 18.3 points per game and leading the
Redmen to another district final appearance. Vogel scored 12 points per game as she was an All-NOL selection. “The strength of this year's team is the chemistry they have together,” coach Santoro said. “This is the quickest and fastest team we've had here at Bellevue. They know what needs done and are working hard in practice. We will be well-rounded this year with good post play and good guard play.” Coach Santoro said he likes the mix of players he has with Carter playing a big role in the post. He said the freshmen group he has has not lost since they've been together from the fourth grade. The key will be how well Casey Santoro adjusts to being the lead player on the floor this season. She was the top scorer a season ago, but had some older players lead and mentor her through some adversity. “Casey knows she is one of the captains, but she has
to rely on her teammates,” coach Santoro said. “We have a couple of other really good guards around her and some quality in the post, so she doesn't need to do it all. “She has gotten a lot stronger in the weight room this offseason. She's a very good shooter and shoots a high percentage from three. That opens up her ability to drive to the basket and dish to others. She sees the floor very well.” Coach Santoro said one weakness will be the younger players experiencing the physicality of the varsity game. Once they get a few games under their belts, the Redmen should flourish this season. “The league is basically the NOL with Clyde and Perkins thrown in there, which we already scheduled them anyway,” he said. “We will have to be strong every night because there are some good coaches in this league and you will have to be ready to play.”
ICYMI: Ohio State’s Mitchell breaks 3-point record in busy week of hoops Women’s Basketball
A-T FILE PHOTO BY STEVE WILLIAMS
Take a shot
NEW YORK (AP) — There was a feast of women’s college basketball over the Thanksgiving week. Tournaments in Las Vegas, Florida and Mexico pitted some of the nation’s best players and teams against each other. The game of the week featured No. 3 South Carolina playing sixth-ranked Notre Dame in the final of the Gulf Coast Showcase. The Irish came away with a 92-85 victory, rallying from a 12point, second-quarter deficit. “Our young team, this is great for them,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “As much as you try to tell them there’s another level of competition out there, until they face it — in defeat — that’s when the learning takes place.” Stanford already has shown it’s grown a bit since the start of the season a few weeks ago. The Cardinal were routed by Ohio State by 21 points in the season opener. The teams played again on Saturday night in the Play4Kay championship game and the Buckeyes needed overtime to win. “It was definitely a different look from when we played them the first time,” said Kelsey Mitchell, who was named MVP of the event. “I knew something would be different. They’re a great team with a great coach.” Mitchell had her own eventful weekend. Besides winning MVP, she set the NCAA record for most 3-pointers made in her career by passing the mark set by UConn great Kaleena MosquedaLewis. Mitchell has hit over 400 3pointers. Other things that happened this
week: STEPPING RIGHT IN: Most teams would struggle if an All-American went down to injury. Most teams aren’t topranked UConn. The Huskies lost Katie Lou Samuelson to a midfoot sprain in their win over California on Nov. 18. She was replaced in the starting lineup against No. 5 UCLA on Tuesday by Azura Stevens, who sat out last year after transferring from Duke. Stevens had a disappointing first start, only scoring six points with five rebounds in the Huskies’ win over the Bruins. She had a much better game against Michigan State on Saturday with 25 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. “I definitely didn’t play as well as I wanted to and contribute to the team,” Stevens said. “That had been on my mind for a couple of days.” POLL WATCH: No. 24 Arizona State had a rough time in Mexico, losing to Green Bay and No. 7 Mississippi State. The Sun Devils most likely will fall out of the poll on Monday. There will be a little movement in the top 10 with both UCLA and South Carolina losing games. TEAM TO WATCH: Minnesota moved to 7-0 on the season after winning UNLV’s tournament over the weekend. It’s the first Thanksgiving tournament title in nine years for the Gophers, who were led by freshman Destiny Pitts. She hit six 3-pointers and had nine rebounds in the title game to earn tournament MVP honors. The Gophers play at North Carolina next on Wednesday and potentially have a favorable schedule that could lead them to be unbeaten headed into Big Ten play.
Duke goes into week as No. 1 team in AP men’s basketball poll Columbian’s Abby Dryfuse puts up a shot between a pair of Bellevue defenders Dec. 3, 2016 in Bellevue.
The Associated Press
Duke pulled off two big comebacks to become the unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll. Now Arizona could use one of its own from a holiday-tournament stumble that dropped the Wildcats from No. 2 to out of the poll in a week. The Blue Devils (8-0) were atop all 65 ballots in results released Monday after they won the PK80 Invitational’s Motion Bracket in Portland, Oregon. They picked up the 11 first-place votes that last week went to Arizona, with the Wildcats (3-3) turning in a stunning 0-3 showing in the
Holiday ■ from page 22
by the Mustangs, 20 turnovers by the Wildcats). And they weren't competitive against Purdue in the seventh-place game. While Allonzo Trier and freshman Deandre Ayton are good starting points, the Wildcats need sophomore guard Rawle Alkins back from a preseason foot injury to find some cohesiveness at both ends. Villanova: Preseason APAll-American Jalen Brunson gets a lot of the attention, but 6-foot-7 redshirt junior Mikal Bridges is giving the Atlantis champion Wildcats a scary 1-2 punch. Bridges averaged 9.8 points last season, but has made a huge leap (18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 59 percent shooting) to start this one. That includes the defensive end, where he can defend multiple positions and seemingly spent all three days throwing himself on the floor to chase loose balls — and possibly catching a few floor
Lakota Bowling ■ from page 26
“I think that we're going to have a better record than we did last year because they have this little bit of confidence that they
Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. That made them the first team to go from No. 2 to unranked in a week since Louisville in 1986-87 after its own November tournament flop in the Great Alaska Shootout. Kansas moved up to No. 2, followed by three teams that won Thanksgiving week tournaments: Michigan State (PK80 Invitational Victory Bracket), Villanova (Atlantis ) and Notre Dame (Maui Invitational). Florida checked in at No. 6, followed by Kentucky, Wichita State, Texas A&M and Miami to round out
the top 10. It ultimately took only a month for the Blue Devils to convince all the poll voters that they’re the nation’s top team. They had roughly half the first-place votes (33) in the preseason poll, climbed to 54 votes after beating then-No. 2 Michigan State in the Champions Classic in Chicago — and now own them all. That came after Duke rallied from 16 down to beat Texas in overtime and then from 17 down to beat the Gators in their PK80 bracket championship game late Sunday, with star freshman Marvin Bagley III turning in huge performances
(34 points and 15 rebounds against Texas, 30 points and 15 rebounds against Florida). “It’s November, whatever happens we have to use it as the process of growth,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said afterward. “Our goal is to keep getting better.” CHAMPS LOSE Reigning national champion North Carolina slid from No. 9 to No. 13 after its first loss since last season. The Tar Heels (5-1) lost 63-45 to the Spartans in the PK80 Invitational Victory finale while shooting a program-recordlow 24.6 percent.
burns, too. DUKE'S FAB FIVE The top-ranked Blue Devils are all in on their touted freshman class. Grayson Allen fouled out late in Friday's comeback win against Texas at the PK80 Invitational, so Duke went with five freshmen — Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Trevon Duval, Gary Trent Jr., and Alex O'Connell — for nearly all of the final 2 minutes of regulation and overtime. Then came Sunday's comeback against Florida . The Blue Devils closed the game on an 8-0 run — fittingly all scored by freshmen — to win the Motion Bracket championship in Portland, Oregon. In those two games, Mike Krzyzewski's rookie-led team rallied from 16 down against Texas and 17 down against Florida in the final 10-plus minutes. And Bagley followed his 34 points and 15 rebounds against the Longhorns with 30 points and 15 boards against the Gators. And it's still only November. WORTH THE TROUBLE Now everyone who watched can see
why North Carolina State worked so hard to get Braxton Beverly on the court. The 6-foot freshman missed the first two games amid a much-publicized NCAA eligibility dispute tied to him attending summer classes at Ohio State before coming to N.C. State. He's not an elite talent but his skillset fits new coach Kevin Keatts' offensive scheme and he provides backcourt depth needed for the Wolfpack's pressure defense. Beverly scored 20 points in the Atlantis upset of Arizona . And he's apparently earned Keatts' trust, playing 34 and 35 minutes in the following two games while offering potential as an outside shooter and secondary ballhandler. OTHER TAKEAWAYS Arkansas: The Razorbacks clearly can score, but they might contend in the Southeastern Conference if they defend like they did in Sunday's PK80 win against Connecticut . Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon lead the way, but a key could be the development of 6-11 freshman Daniel Gafford (12.8 points). Gonzaga: The Bulldogs may be ahead
of schedule after losing so much from last year's national runner-up. Josh Perkins has become the leader and Johnathan Williams (39 points) showed he can be an offensive force in the double-overtime PK80 loss to Florida . Michigan State: The Spartans lost their first marquee matchup to Duke in the Champions Classic in Chicago, but offered a reminder of their upside by locking down reigning national champion North Carolina in the PK80 Victory bracket championship game. Purdue: Coach Matt Painter's Boilermakers bounced back from two losses in Atlantis by routing Arizona, but he wants to see his high-scoring bunch grind out a win on a bad shooting night. Tennessee: The Volunteers — who finished third in Atlantis — look ready to cause problems in the SEC under thirdyear coach Rick Barnes. Their athleticism allows them to pressure opponents, while they can run their offense through tough forward Grant Williams (15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds).
didn't have last year,” she said “I'm looking forward to Lakota, both girls and guys, I think that we're going to have a winning season.” The boys return the heart of last year's lineup, Capehart also saw varsity time last year, and Thibodeau said Greiner, Minich and Uhlman show promise.
“Four out of the (top) five are returning lettermen,” she said. “This is looking pretty good. I have a couple that are doing pretty decent as beginners.” “We're going to fill in that fifth spot very well,” Thibodeau said. “I just have to teach them how to cover spares.” It's a similar situation with the girls.
“I have a full team of girls and I have some really talented ones,” Thibodeau said. “One of the (new) girls may take a starting 5 position, because she's just that good. But if not, they're at least going to be able to be subbed in. I have that luxury.”
34 – The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio Thursday, November 30, 2017
WINTER SPORTS
Carey wrestling (front, left): Shawn Secresty, Jaden Pahl, Tanner May, Trent Eggert, Noah Black, Gerardo Garcia (second) Mason Rickle, Alex Diaz, AJ Gernert, Drake Schwochow, Reese Mullholand, Kadin Smiley (back) Ryan Pratt, Trent Phoenix, Ethan Schlack, Hayden Jacoby, Kaeden Wentz, Matt Lawrence.
Carey wrestling
Coach: Ryan Pratt 2016-17: 3rd in N10 Returning letterwinners: Junior Ethan Schlack. Sophomores Trent Phoenix, Tanner May, Hayden Jacoby, Reece Mullholand, Shawn Secresty, AJ Gernert. Others: Senior Gerardo Garcia. Junior Drake Schwochow. Sophomores Jaden Pahl, Alex Diaz. Freshmen Kadin Smalley, Noah Black, Trent Eggert, Kaeden Wentz. Outlook: Coach Pratt has one of the youngest teams he'e ever coached at Carey this season, with just one senior and two juniors. Only one of the three have lettered. However, with the youth is some bigtime talent, especially state-placer Tanner May. May was sixth at the state tournament
as a freshman last season and really has taken control of the wrestling room and the program for Carey this year. “May has taken that leadership role this year as he is only 15-years-old,” Pratt said. “When you have a kid with that talent and work ethic the other kids want to follow and be just like him. It's big to have him in our program. “We are obviously expecting some big things out of him this year. He has shed some of that baby weight this season and is looking to wrestle at that 170 class. He's just a beast on his feet, but he straight up told me he wanted to get better on the bottom. He lost 10 matches last year because he couldn't get up from the bottom and he's really worked on that in the offseason and I would say he is already around 75
percent better from last year. The one thing about him is that he is always working.” Other than May, Pratt likes what he sees in Schlack. The heavyweight has grown into his body and will be a force to reckon with out on the mat, he said. “He's been on the team three years now and for the first two years he was wrestling heavyweight at 220 and now he's around 250, which should help him,” Pratt said. “I'm looking for big things from him and he's showing me a lot in the room right now. He leads all of the practices and tells guys what to do, so it makes my job a lot easier having him around.” Mullholand is back after qualifying for
districts and Phoenix had a solid freshman season, so there are others looking to contribute this season for the Blue Devils, but the N10 will be tough once again with Upper Sandusky and Mohawk sitting there. “I have a lot of respect for (Noah) Blankenship and (Nate) Lofay and what they've done in the three years in the N10,” Pratt said. “I would think and hope we'd be in the top three in the league this year and chasing after those two because they have a lot of talent back. “Really I just like watching the kids improve every year. I want the wrestlers to develop. Every kid's goals aren't the same, so I love seeing them cross off some goals throughout the year.”
Carey boys basketball (front, left): Brayden Wentling, Chaz Ropp, Adam Hackworth, Trey Bame, Evan Plott (second) Jordan Dasher, Austin Hertel, Griffin Summitt, Logan Smiley, Cody Luzader, Jordan Littlejohn (back) Jamie Young, Casey Crawford, Hayden Stone, Kole Phillips, Rick DeMoss.
Coach: Jamie Young 2016-17: 15-8, 13-3 N10 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Cody Luzader (PG), Trey Bame (PG), Brayden Wentling (G). Junior Griffin Summit (G). Sophomore Hayden Stone (P). Others: Seniors Evan Plott (F), Logan Smiley (G). Juniors Casey Crawford (F), Jordan Dasher (G). Outlook: Carey has the pieces and the experience to make things interesting in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this season.
Carey boys basketball
The Blue Devils had a great year last season with just three losses in the conference, but in the Division III tournament, it got bounced early. Losing just a few seniors from last year's squad, the Blue Devils have three key seniors back with a nice mix of youth, including 6-foot-7 Hayden Stone. “I think we will be a unit that will really pressure the ball and with the big guy inside, we can kind of funnel everything to him in the middle,” Young said. “We should be pretty good in transition with our ath-
letes in space and our ball movement should be solid. “With Cody, Trey, Brayden back and with Hayden coming back bigger and stronger, I would think we have the pieces to be near the top of the league.” Having the big guy in the middle is a plus in a league with not many post players that size, but the real advantage the Blue Devils will have is four-year starter Luzader back at points guard. Luzader was a first-team All-N10 player
last season and averaged 16.9 points per game and 3.8 assists. “Cody is one of the best players around,” Young said. “He's so dynamic. Offensively, he can take it off the dribble and score and he can shoot the three. I like that he wants the ball and if he gets fouled, he shoots 80 percent-plus free throw shooter. “I trust him with the ball and he knows how to play and he knows what he's good at out on the floor.”
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Carey girls basketball
Carey girls basketball (front, left): Caitie Carter, Bryanna Curlis, Destiny DeFeo, Emma Wagner (second) Sydney Ferguson, Hannah Lonsway, Dana Worst, Amber Nash, Olivia Roof (back) Phil Vaughn, Laura Hunt, Sadie Arend, Sydney Kin, Taylor Wenzinger, Dennis Ruhe, Jim Anderson.
Coach: Phil Vaughn 2017-18: 16-7, 13-3 N10 Returning letterwinners: Seniors Sydney Kin (P); Destiny DeFeo (G), Bryanna Curlis (G), Sydney Ferguson (P), Taylor Wenzinger (P), Amber Nash (G), Dana Worst (G). Others: Juniors Hannah Lonsway (P), Olivia Roof (G). Outlook: The Northern 10 Athletic Conference dominance ended last year for Carey. The Blue Devils didn't win the league, but still went a solid 13-3 in the conference. Upper Sandusky went unbeaten in the league. Despite the somewhat down year for the Blue Devils, who were bounced in the first round of the Division IV tournament, there are signs they could return to form this year. One of the main reasons for optimism for Carey is AllOhio player Sydney Kin. Kin, who is 6-foot-2, averaged 18.9 points and 12 rebounds per game last season. She shot 60 percent from the floor. “Sydney works hard at whatever she does and she is very unselfish with the ball,” Vaughn said. “She knows she
has kids around her that can make shots, so she doesn't have to do it all. She takes everything one play at a time and she knows even with how good her teammates are, she needs her touches. “She has improved her outside shot, but still has a ways to go. She's put in some time with that and the same with ballhandling. She can put the ball on the floor, which makes here even tougher to guard.” Other than Kin, which will be the main focal point for the Blue Devils, DeFeo and Curlis are good outside shooters. DeFeo averaged four assists per game last season. DeFeo was a second-team N10 selection, while Ferguson was honorable mention. The experience and balance should be the strongpoints for Carey, but developing a bench and some of the younger players to fill in some spots could come with a learning curve. “It's a case where we haven't been together that long because the volleyball team had a phenomenal season,” Vaughn said. “It is easier to pick up things with a more ex-
perienced team, but we will have to adjust and work hard here early. Right now, I just want them to work hard and play together, work on that chemistry out on the court and get that back.” In a league with a lot of talent returning for the Rams and one of the best players in the area back in Buckeye Central's Jenna Karl, the Blue Devils will have to fight to finish high in the league. “Some of our strengths will be our size in the post along with some shooters for that balance,” Vaughn said. “We just need to be more consistent this year. Last season we would be good for a quarter and then loose all momentum in the next quarter. We need to play all four quarters at a high level. “There was a bunch of young talent in the league last year and they are just a year older now with that experience, so I know it will be a tough road for everyone. I see across the board players from every team that can carry their teams to a win, so it's a balanced league.”
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Give me 200
Calvert’s Christian Staib swims the freestyle leg of the 200-yard individual medley event in Tiffin Jan. 21.
FHS Girls ■ from page 14
Others: Sophomores Mya Weimerskirch (G), Kyah Talley (F), Jennifer Chasco (F), Maddie Cook (F), Rubi Dessausure (F). Outlook: The Redmen didn't turn in a winning season last year, but the eight victories were just one shy of the total they earned from the 2005-06 season through 2015-16. And with what the team has shown so far in the preseason — taking care of the ball on offense, younger players taking ad-
vantage of playing time, while others recover from illness and injuries, overall team improvement in strength and speed and better overall physical condition — Sierra thinks that trend can continue to keep going up. “There's a lot of bright spots, and every week it just seems like it's getting better,” he said. Making sure it stays better will take a concerted effort on defense and an offense on the move. “We're going to be that scrappy team. Defensively, I think we're going to be able to get after it. We've got them playing hard man to man and got them understanding those concepts,” Sierra said. “They enjoy
Bellevue boys basketball
Coach: Ed Rich 2016-17: 10-14, 4th in NOL Returning Letterwinners: Seniors Jake Waskielis (G) Kayden Vogel (G/F). Junior Trey Ruhlman (G). Sophomore Caleb Marshall (P). Others: Seniors Jake Tiell (P); Jimmy Davis (G); Christian Booze (G). Juniors Gavin Sparling (P), Chase Eisenauer (G); Garrett Vickory (G), Richie Stombaugh (P). Sophomore Ethan Prenatt (G/F). Outlook: Even though Bellevue was picked fifth in the SBC Lake, Rich thinks the Redmen will surprise some people. There is good reason for that with the mixture of experience and youth Bellevue possesses this year for Rich. “So far, we are a pretty tight team and I haven't always had that here at Bellevue,” Rich said. “I've had some teams that were more individuals and this team is not like that, which I like. They get after it in practice and they have a good feeling of being a team this year.” Once again, some of the players arrived late to the season because of the success of the football team, but Rich said he was used to it, even in his tenure in Galion where the football team has had success deep into the postseason. “We have nine guys who were on the football team, but luckily only two are on the varsity team,” he said. “In the past, we've had half our team or a good amount of key contributors start late because of the success, but it's just one of those things you deal with.” The leaders on the squad from the start are guards Waskielis and Ruhlman. The pair had a quality season last year, with Ruhlman leading the team in scoring down the stretch. Rich will also have 6-foot-5 Marshall playing different positions and getting to the hoop at will. “Jake and Trey are both three-year starters now and we will go through them. I'm more of a set guy. I like my sets,” Rich said “but I will go through them and see what plays or transition they want to run rather than calling plays every time down the floor. I will put it more in their hands this year. “We have two true posts with Stombaugh and Marshall being tall, but Marshall I kind of compare to Ro Durham (from Columbian). He's really athletic and knows how to get to the rim and finish.” The SBC Lake will be tough with Clyde, Perkins and Sandusky in the mix. “We are picked fifth and I think No. 1 will definitely be Sandusky with Keith Williams back. He is beyond impressive,” Rich said.
FHS Boys ■ from page 15
Cousin, Ward, Sierra and Counts. But what the Redmen lack in size, Loomis said they make up for in other areas. “We are definitely quick and athletic. I think that our offense has got to start with our defense. We want to try to play quick and aggressive on both ends of the floor. But obviously, not having that huge post presence is going to mean we're going to have to shoot it well from the perimeter,” he said. “This group of guys is very, very coachable and they really do give me everything they can,” Loomis said. “I think our biggest challenge is going to be how quickly they mature and adjust as a young group to playing at the varsity level.”
zone, and we found out this weekend (during a scrimmage) that they're moving their feet in man to man and their zone became so much better. “We are going to look to score in transition as much as possible. Our plan is to shoot the ball. We're going to set records shooting the ball, we have to. The girls are responding to a lot of our rebounding philosophies and I think we're going to be able to go get a lot of offensive rebounds and clean up that way,” he said. “If we shoot the ball and get our kids ready to rebound and box out, I think we'll be good.” Settles (9.2 points, 11 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1 block) looks to again figure big in scoring and rebounding.
“There's no doubt, she's going to play a lot more of a role. And if we can figure out some younger kids and some post play, she could be out on the perimeter as well,” Sierra said. “She has no problem bringing the ball up the floor. When she's got a rebound, she doesn't outlet it, she goes and she's pretty quick. And I can't stop it, I don't want to stop it. I want people to run with her. “We're just going to tell her to shoot. And her rebounding ability is going to keep us in games,” he said. Williams (5 points, 1.4 steals, 1.5 assists), Grine (7.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1.2 assists, 1.3 blocks), Taylor (11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals) and Jones (2.3 points, 2.1 rebounds) will add support.
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