SDN Winter Sports Preview 2012

A special publication of the Sidney Daily News November 2012

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 2

Yellow Jackets face challenging schedule Veteran talent returns on swim, bowling teams

BY TONY ARNOLD Regardless of the sport – the strength of schedule at Sidney can typically be counted on to be pretty strong. For head coach Greg Snyder and the boys hoops team – the Yellow Jackets slate this year will be extremely tough and will include a solid GWOC schedule along with some steady non-conference games. “We play an incredibly difficult schedule. We start off the season with some of the toughest teams in the area. Then we don't have a home game for 32 days and of course the GWOC North is always a difficult task. We also play some new non-conference teams this year and we look forward to playing those teams this year and in the future. We are proud to play all of these tough basketball teams, and we hope to make ourselves into one of those good teams,� explained Snyder.

The new non-conference opponents include the likes of Wapakoneta, St. Marys, Tippecanoe, Tecumseh, and Urbana “We have to get better defensively. With the scoring that we've lost from last year, we will need guys to step up and we will need to hold teams down to give ourselves the best chance to win. Our kids have worked extremely hard, and if we can get that kind of effort throughout the entire season, I think we can be very successful. We are going to stress ball movement and player movement on offense. Defensively we are going to stress playing entire possessions. Too many times last year we were very good defensively for the first 15 seconds. However, we would either give up an offensive rebound or have a mental lapse.

We are going to work to eliminate those mistakes this year,� said Snyder.

While a young and inexperienced Sidney team struggled a season ago – the Jackets welcome back some talented performers from last year’s team.

Senior guard Tyree Manley was an outstanding performer last season earning second team GWOC North. Manley tossed in 11.5 points a game while grabbing 3.7 rebounds and dishing out 2.3 assists a game.

"Tyree is someone that we will look toward to do a lot of things this season. I can't imagine anyone working as hard as Tyree did this offseason. He has set a great example for his teammates to follow,� said Snyder.

Yellow Jacket classmate, Preston Heath also returns for Sidney. Heath, who plays forward, scored 4.1 points a game last season.

"Preston adds versatility and toughness to our lineup. He plays with a lot of energy and can do many things well,� said Snyder.

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

SHS SENIOR boys for 2012 are (l-r) Preston Heath, Tyree Manley, Daltyn Gibson, James Daniel and Jacob Davis.

Sidney also returns a pair of reliable juniors to their roster. Jalen Herd is a guard who averaged 4.0 points per game while grabbing 4.7 rebounds.

"Jalen did a very nice job defensively last year.

This year we are going to ask him to add to that and be more aggressive on the offensive end as well," explained Snyder.

The other junior is Gold Barnes – who established himself a shot-blocking machine a season ago.

Barnes swatted 3.6 blocks per game last season, tops in the GWOC North. His presence in the paint will definitely be counted upon again this year.

"Gold obviously did a great job defensively last year. He's a difference maker in the paint. Just like Jalen, we want Gold to be more of a threat on offense this year to really help diversify our offense," said Snyder.

Snyder and his Yellow Jackets will rely on a pair of

sophomore guards to make solid contributions at the varsity level this year. Eric Beigel and Conner Echols both saw varsity action a season ago and will likely see plenty more this year.

"Eric and Conner got a taste of varsity ball last year. This year their roles will be significantly greater this year. I think they'll do a nice job for us.

They're smart basketball players who can do a lot of different things,� explained Snyder.

Senior Jacob Davis is a forward for the Yellow Jackets who Snyder likes both his athleticism and defensive effort.

"Jacob is extremely athletic and we think he can provide a spark for us - especially defensively," described the Yellow Jacket coach.

Senior forward James Daniel, junior center Zach Scott, and junior guard Scott Stewart could all be difference makers for Sidney.

"James (Daniel) will get thrown right into the fire this year. We expect him to step in and produce right away. With the loss of Andre Spillers, we are looking toward Zach (Scott) to step up and provide some valuable minutes inside. Scott (Stewart) really had a terrific summer. He provides tenacity on defense that I hope our other kids can duplicate."

Sidney Girls Basketball

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

SHS SENIOR girls are (l-r) Kelia Ford, Konner Harris, Aaliyah Wise, Monique Hanayik and Lauren Elmore.

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Heading into the season – girls basketball coach Megan Mummey is fairly optimistic. With a nice roster of returning players – she has reason to be.

The Yellow Jackets who finished 4-16 a year ago return a strong core of players alongside some newcomers who will be looking to produce. “I really think we can be a contender for the GWOC North. I have high goals for this team and think with determination and hard work we can get there,� said Mummey.

Sidney will have plenty of depth in the critical guard position. The top three returning players from a season ago put up plenty of scoring production while playing guard.

Leading the way is senior Konner Harris. The Jacket guard suffered a torn ACL injury a season ago and played only 12 games. However, she proved just how solid of a player she is. Harris tallied an average of 16 points a game. “She will be our go to player. She is the most skilled player on the court. I think she improved her defense in the off season and will be a big contribution to our success this season,� said Mummey.

Lauren Elmore is another senior guard who averaged double digits scoring and was solid on defensive – particularly when forcing turnovers. Elmore scored Continued on page 3

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 3

Yellow Jackets ten points a game and recorded an average of two points a game.

“She needs to get more confident in herself. She has great vision of the court and takes great care of the ball for us. She needs to be more aggressive on defense,” said Mummey.

Monique Hanayik is the third senior guard returning for Sidney. Hanayik averaged eight points a game last season and developed into a top shelf defender with her aggressive effort.

“I would like to see her step up and shoot the ball more this year. I think she is very dominant on the left side of the floor,” said Mummey.

Senior forward Aayliah Wise will be relied upon in the post for the Yellow Jackets.

“Aayliah is a great physical player who needs to stay out of foul trouble.

Her athleticism makes her dominate in the paint, “said Mummney.

Senior Kelia Ford is a guard who returns for Sidney and will be looking to see more action this season.

Junior Lindsay Sturwold is a forward the Yellow Jacket coaching staff anticipates seeing valuable minutes from.

“Lindsay has a great 1015 foot jumper that she has improved on this summer. I would like to get

her scoring more down low and getting those big rebounds,” said Mummney.

Also returning is junior guard Miaya Foy who provides plenty of energy – particularly on the defensive side. “Miaya is very aggressive and will help us defensively,” said Mummney.

The Jackets will also look to some new players on the varsity roster to make a meaningful impact. A couple of the players are transfer students.

Sylvia Hudson is a transfer from Thurgood Marshall who will play for the Jackets this season.

“She is a versatile player who can finish down low,” explained Mummney.

Breann Wells is a sophomore transfer from Houston. Mummney describes the forward fundamentally sound in the post.

Also joining the varsity roster is athletic freshman guard Kaitlyn Davis – who the Sidney coaching staff anticipate will contribute in the scoring column.

Mummney is quick to point out that the Yellow Jackets will need to display depth across the board in order to be successful.

Looking for other girls to step up and score besides Harris and Elmore.

Having 5 seniors we need to have leadership off and

continued from page 2

on the court,” said Mummney.

Sidney Swimming The Sidney girls swim team welcomes back five returning letter-winners while the boys team welcomes back ten returnees.

For the girls senior Allison Neu returns in both the breaststroke and the free for the Yellow Jackets.

Junior Maddi Homan returns in the breaststroke, Individual Medley, and Free Junior Ardy Li is a returnee in the butterfly, Individual Medley, and Free. Classmate Maleena Miller returns to swim the Free, Backstroke, and Breaststroke; Sophomore Kieran Freistuhler is back in both the Breaststroke and Free.

Additionally, newcomers on the girls team will add depth to a small roster.

Sophomore Alexa Goodwin brings with her some high school experience and does the Butterfly and Free. The new additions to the roster include a pair of seniors in Gro Marthinussen and Morgan Smith along with four freshmen which include Zoe Boyer, Cara Cobb, Karen Cabrera and Kierra Hoover.

The boys team features ten returning swimmers.

Leading the way are fouryear varsity swimmers which include Wagner Huskey who does the IndiSDN PHOTO/'LUKE GRONNEBERG

SIDNEY SENIOR boys swimmers are (l-r) David Young, Austin Oder and Wagner Huskey. vidual Medley (both the 200 and 400IM),Butterfly, Backstroke and Free and John Trygstad Individual Medley, Breaststroke, and Free (200 and 500).

Also returning from the senior class is Austin Oder in the Breast and Free strokes; Alex Bowman and David Young are Backstrokers and Free stylers.

Returning Juniors are Eric Barnes in the Free and Back; Conner Bowers Free and Backstroke; and veteran Newell Voress in the Individual Medley, Backstroke and Free.

Sophomore Andrew Jensen Free, Backstroke and Breaststroke; Ian Stephens in the Free and Breaststroke.

Joining the swim team this year includes junior Ian Harvey and Aaron Jenson who is a seasoned swimmer with YMCA experience in the Back, Breast and Free.

“We have a good core of returning lettermen with good skills in their strokes. The problem will be in the numbers as each team has very little depth and that hurts in putting together relays. The team has many good swimmers that will do well in their individual events and are ready to start the season.

SDN PHOTO/'LUKE GRONNEBERG I anticipate good times for SIDNEY SENIOR girls swimmers are (l-r) Allison Neu, Ardy Li and Gro Marhi- several swimmers that are working hard to get their nussen.

We’ve got your back!

best times. This is a tough league in a tougher district and our swimmers are getting ready to compete,” said Coach.

Sidney Bowling First year bowling coach Greg Hines looks toward the Yellow Jacket season with plenty of promise. While the Sidney roster saw some key departures to graduation – the Jackets return a team with plenty of potential.

“We are proceeding into this new season of bowling with a lot of promise. Our bowling team has a solid foundation and a lot of excellent returning bowlers from last season. We did lose a few great bowlers due to graduation, but that will not hinder our overall performance this season,” explained head coach Greg Hines.

Hines along with the junior varsity coach Zac Watson will look to a number of capable bowlers to get the job done this year.

“We will continue to promote the pride this Sidney Yellow Jackets Bowling Team has carried for the past few years,” said Hines.

A strong girls team features some top performers led by senior Shelbie An-

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derson who finished 16th at State last year. Anderson bowled a 578 Series which was just two pins shy of 3rd Team all Ohio.

The girls bowling team will include other key performers including Ashleigh Harris Hollie James, Michelle Abbot, and Emily Hix. On the boys team – the Yellow Jackets also have a sturdy squad including Devon Huffman, Jacob Blankenship, Kyle Lloyd, Kegan Latimer, Luke Goubeaux, and Cody Joyce “There are many others who are expected to perform very well throughout the season. I have only seen what they have had to bring to tryouts so far.

Our focus will be set upon improving the averages of each and every one of our athletes this year. In the sport of bowling, the athletes can be their own worst enemies. Getting frustrated about one bad frame can cause them to repeat their mistakes over and over again. Focus and repetition on their approach and release of the ball will be a high priority this season to achieve overall improvement,” explained Hines.

Sidney gets things going with a home opening match against Stebbins on November 7, beginning at 4PM.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 4

Sidney Wrestling Team shows loaded line-up

BY TONY ARNOLD Sidney wrestling has long been synonyms with success and for long-time coach Jim McCracken and the Jackets this year should be more of the same. The Jackets return a loaded line-up. “We will challenge once again for the GWOC North team title. Vandalia Butler will be the biggest roadblock for Sidney as the Aviators return most of their starters from a year ago. Coach Peck and his coaching staff do a wonderful job every year preparing their team to be “tournament ready� in early February for the GWOC Tournament. In the GWOC most of the quality teams in the running for the overall title will come from the central division; Beavercreek, Centerville, Fairmont and Wayne will all have tough teams that will compete well. The southern division will be challenged by Miamisburg, Springboro, Lebanon,� exaplained McCracken.

Sidney features talent, depth, and experience.

Mason Calvert (Sr. 138/145 lbs.) is a three-year letter-winner.

Calvert had an outstanding junior year, sixth at State, GWOC Champion, first-team All-Area. 47-8 record school record; most wins and most matches in a season. He was named Most Valuable Wrestler and led the squad with 191 takedowns. Mason is a student of wrestling, his formula for success is to work hard daily. Look for bigger and better things out of Mason as a senior,� said McCracken.

Jacob Lochard (182/195 lbs.) is a senior and three year letter-winner, a District Qualifier with a 19-14 record. “His outstanding post-season a year ago should springboard Jacob to a very good senior year. He placed fifth at GWOC. Lochard should score big points at both the GWOC and District meets. The Jackets will look to Lochard for leadership both on and off the mat throughout this season. Jacob also plays football and baseball,� said McCracken.

Jacob Shrap is a senior (113 lbs.) two year letterman, two-time District Qualifier, fifth at GWOC. “A hard worker throughout his wrestling career, former Coaches’ Award winner, Sharp will be a big 113 pounder this season, look for him to win matches at the District level in the post-season. A small but mighty football player,� said McCracken.

Maurice Ickens (Sr. 285 lbs.) is a two-year letterman that qualified for the Districts.

Ickes has improved as much as any Sidney wrestler ever to put the black and gold on over his career. Watch for Maurice to improve his 13-19 record from a year ago. His desire to win is a driving force to his success. Ickes also plays football,� said McCracken.

Rhett Rosengarten (Jr. 132/138 lbs.) is a two-year letterman with a 16-15 record. “His fourth place at the GWOC played a big part in the Jackets GWOC North title. Rhett gives 100% every time out, he’ll be a key to our overall team success. He’s a 4.0 student student athlete who also plays football,� said McCracken.

Ryan Penley (Jr. 152 lbs.) is a two year letterman with a 20-11 record 2 yr. “Ryan had a great start to last year but needs to peak @ the GWOC and post-season tournaments.

Penley has all the tools to be a “good one� at Sidney

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

SHS WRESTLING Seniors for 2012 are (l-r) Jacob Sharp, Jacob Lochard, Maurice Ickes and Mason Calvert.

High. He could make a huge impact for the Jackets.

Ryan plays baseball,� said McCracken.

Noah Straman (Jr. 195 lbs.) is a one –year letterman.

Noah is much better than his 5-20 record shows.

He reminds me a lot of Steven Jones (2011 SHS graduate). He works very hard, giving 100% every trip to the mat. When Straman believes he can win matches, he will, confidence is his biggest issue. Noah also plays football,� said McCracken.

Dayvon Madden (Jr. 125/132 lbs.) is a returning letterman who was 10-8 last year.

Great strength and quickness, he could be a good wrestler in the future. Madden needs to take the sport of wrestling seriously, and work hard to become a champion,� said McCracken.

Alex Willman (120lbs) is a sophomore who lettered last year with a 27-13 record while being named Rookie of the Year. “A very good student/athlete, 4.0 GPA, Alex works hard both in the classroom and on the mat. Willman has worked hard to improve his strength the past (2) years. He was a district qualifier and placed 5th at the GWOC Tournament. Watch for Alex to have another very good year for the Jackets,� said McCracken.

Garrick Ginter (Soph. 160 lbs.) lettered with an outstanding 23-9 record a season ago. “He placed fourth at the GWOC Tournament, one of the big point scores for Sidney winning the GWOC North title. Ginter has the tools to be a very good wrestler for the Jackets. He wrestled in some tough

pre-season tournaments placing very well. Look for Garrick to do well this season,� said the Jacket coach.

Jared Tangeman (Soph. 126 lbs.) qualified for the district meet a season ago for the Yellow Jackets. “Tangeman is just what a coach looks for in a student/athlete. He’s a good learner that shows up daily and works hard. I would call him an over-achiever in 2012. An excellent cross-country and track runner.

Look for Jared to improve in wrestling as his career goes on,� said McCracken. “In the post-season all Division number one teams in the Dayton area will once again compete at the Fairfield District. The top four wrestlers at the Districts will qualify for the State meet. Last year Sidney peaked well at the GWOC Tournament placing fifth overall. Six of our eight District qualifiers are back this season. Both Derek Spangler and Cody Davis will be impossible to replace, both were four time District Qualifiers winning over 100 matches in their successful careers. Both were also two times division one first team All-Area. We do have good depth in the middle weights this season, but those are hard shoes to fill. We should have a good quality wrestler in most of the weight classes this year, returning eleven lettermen. Sidney may actually be tougher in a dual meet setting than in a large tough tournament such as Top Gun or the GMVWA. Individually we have a few kids that should win matches at the District level. With a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment perhaps a couple of Sidney Wrestlers can qualify to the State meet,� said McCracken

Riverside coach teaches life lessons, good play

BY FRED HERRON

tive in all of our games going to the wall to acWhen it comes to strat- He’s going to try and get and read the defense. It’s this year.� egy, Epps said that he complish these things.�

Continued on page 5 the ball down the floor Epps also said that he Again, with losing that has a motto on his DEGRAFF - Don Epps, is “trying to get them to squad’s defense: “I can’t 80%, Epps says that his coach of the Riverside accept their role. When team is shy on experience let my teammates man Varsity Boys Basketball you get your turn, fulfill and needs to work. score.� Defensively, Epps team, believes there’s your role. Do it regard“We’re trying to develop a really wants to get after more to the game than just learning how to play less if you like it or not.� feeder system at the Jun- that and not let the other Stop in and see us before or after the game.

This is a general life prin- ior High level to get kids team penetrate the paint. and winning. When ciple for Epps, who knows ready for the High School “We’re going to try to asked what attitude or all too well that life pres- level,� Epps said. The win,� Epps said, who isn’t focus he tries to instill hope is to develop this as just about teaching life into his boys, other than ents people with many a program wide system responsibilities that one lessons to his players. the skills necessary to where kids can get the doesn’t necessarily like, He’s going to have his play, he responded by Wapakoneta Avenue team play spread offense. saying “good citizens. Re- but must do anyway. “We necessary skills develOn Sidney’s Quiet Side have kids who are really oped at an earlier age. “We’ll be slow,� Epps said. spect their community; 937-492-8820 pride and respect for school and community.�

Epps requires his boys to wear shirts and ties.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 5

JC State runner-up team remains formidable

BY TONY ARNOLD JACKSON CENTER – Last year Jackson Center had a remarkable season, finishing the regular season undefeated and advanced all the way to the State Championship Game – finishing as the State Runner-up.

Lost to graduation is Andy Hoying – a two-time conference player of the year and last year’s co-player of the year in the state of the Ohio. However, the Jackson roster remains loaded led by the combination of seasoned veterans and some gifted underclassmen. JC is considered by most a top preseason league favorite. The Tiger depth certainly appears to make them the team to beat again this year.

Going into this season – JC Coach Scott Elchert feels the Shelby County League will once again be a very talented conference. “As far as the league – there is an unbelievable amount of parody. I felt that way last year and for whatever reason last year we were fortunate enough to come through unscathed. If somebody would have told me that prior to last year – I would have said you are crazy. I feel that way this year. I feel that every team has a nucleus of good players and I feel that when you have a nucleus of good players you are a dangerous team. I could go through all seven teams and every team has two very solid players at least to build around,� said Elchert.

The Tigers have the tremendous benefit of having a pair of four-year starters returning this year. Trey Elchert and Alex Meyer have been staples in the JC starting line-up and return again this year. Elchert is an efficient point guard with a nice touch from downtown and Meyer is a pure scorer who creates opportunities off the dribble. “They both have a lot of games under their belt and are seasoned veterans and returning starters and veterans at key spots as guards. Coaches will tell you in this day in age as the game has evolved that guard play is extremely important. Trey is our quarterback as a point guard and we do put Alex at the point at times and when he’s not he’s very versatile where we can utilize him. We look to do even more of that than we have in the past. With losing Andy (Hoying) Alex we be called upon to pick up more of the offensive slack,� explained Elchert.

Eric Ryder returns as a second-year starter for the Tigers. Ryder who plays well in the paint and has a nose for running down the ball will be relied upon even more so this year. With the departure of Hoying – Jackson will be looking to fill a void of about 10 boards a game. “We definitely need him to add more to his offensive output on a game by game basis. The thing that puts Eric in that position to be an outstanding rebounder is that he is one of those guys that can go get rebounds outside. He’s not just a vertical up and down guy – he can see the ball and go get it. Our expectation for him is that he becomes a big rebounder,� said Elchert.

Sophomore Gavin Wildermuth returns for the Tigers as an athletic guard who made nice contributions at the varsity level a season ago. “What we will be looking from Gavin is more consistency in the things he does well. He’s a good shooter but he also needs to make sure he is driving the ball to the hole because he’s athletic and he’s strong and when he wants to he’s as good as anybody we have as driving the ball to the hole,� said Elchert.

Jackson will be looking for valuable minutes from

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

JACKSON CENTER senior boys basketball players are (l-r) Front Row: Nathan Hensley, Joey Frye, Trey Elchert and Nathan Wahrer. Back Row: Levi Winner, Eric Ryder and Alex Meyer. a senior roster that includes Levi Winner. Winner is coming back from a series of shoulder injuries but if he remains healthy – Elchert considers him a contributor as a player capable of playing both inside and outside. “He’s been mentally tough to get through that. I believe if we can keep him healthy – he’s going to be a great addition to this squad,� said Elchert.

Seniors Nathan Wahrer, Nathan Hensley, and Joey Frey are all players who played the majority of their minutes at the JV level last year and according to Elchert had a nice summer of basketball. “Nathan Wahrer is strong and plays smart position defense, Nathan Hensley is as quick as anybody on the team and Joey Frye is scrappy,� said Elchert.

Freshman Drew Sosby is a promising player for the Tigers. “He’s a nice perimeter player who can shoot and handle the ball. He’s competitive with great court awareness,� said Elchert.

Jackson Center opens up the season against Houston. “The way we build our team is on great defense and making good decisions with the basketball. That isn’t going to change so hopefully we can continue to do that,� concluded Elchert.

Girls Basketball MaKaine Huffer is back for her second season as the head coach of the varsity girls team.

The Tigers lose an exceptional player in Brooke Richard to graduation. Richard was the area scoring champ a season ago tallying an average of 21.9 a game. However, Richard was the only senior on last

year’s squad and the Tigers resturn some playmakers. JC finished last year’s regular season 8-14. “The requirement to be successful this year is turning up our aggressiveness on defense, rebounding, and having several big scorers step up this year,� explained Huffer. “It is more difficult to guard five great scorers than only one great scorer. It may be a challenge for some of these girls to step into a scoring role but each one of them has the ability and athleticism to accomplish it.�

Senior Hannah Meyer returns for the Tigers and will be playing her fourth year with the varsity team.

Meyer hit 50 of 143 (35 percent) last season for Jackson. Classmate Jess Wren is a JC guard with a lot of upside. “Hannah will have to step-up offensively and defensively this year. Her and Jess have key roles for being the leaders of this team. They both need to realize that there are going to be tough times and things may not go their way in a game but it is important to maintain that senior leadership. Hannah is great shooter and can also knock it down off the dribble,� said Huffer.

Haley Elchert is a sophomore who plays the role of both forward and guard. She connected on 33 of 51 (64.7 percent) from the free-throw line last season.

Elchert is an all-around player who has the ability to create some match-up problems. “Haley is a very versatile player. She will more than likely be a post player for us this year but occasionally will step out on the perimeter. With her height and her aggressiveness you can expect her to do big things for us this year,� explained Huffer.

Courtney Zimpfer is a sophomore guard who saw Continued on page 6

Riverside

continued from page 4

going to be a read and investing in the future react; see what the other and developing for the team is doing defensively next year. and exploit their weakOf special mention was nesses and mistakes. junior letter winner, DalAnother angle to Epps ton Bollinger, who averstrategy this year will be aged 11 ½ points, 9 to keep his players fresh. rebounds, and 4 assists a He wants to have his game last season. Epps squad at eight or “We teach points per nine deep possession. Aim for the and high percentage shots, not employ liberal outside shots.â€? substi— Don Epps tutions, rotating the players at three min- said that he is a strong utes playing time at any post man inside with given time in order to good mechanics. This preserve their freshness. year, Epps is impressed The only exception would with senior letter winner, be if the any player were Luke Greene, a Point hot. Then they would Guard. He worked real stay in the game, maybe hard over the summer. A five minutes. By doing top newcomer is senior, this, Epps believes that Triston Mechling, who he’ll keep players and Epps said is not skinny, parents happy, because and can be a dual threat all the kids on the team at post with Bollinger. would get ample playing “We teach points per time and the players possession,â€? Epps said. would be less likely to get “Aim for the high percentoverly tired. This way age shots, not outside Epps believes that he is shots.â€? That way, Epps’

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LEHMAN'S SOLOMON King-White gets some air against Riverside at Lehman last season. squad has a better chance of coming away with points in every possession.

Other top newcomers for the Pirates include senior, Grant Miller, junior, Kolt Shough, and sophomore, Tanner Lane.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 6

Botkins Trojans retain experienced core SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

BY TONY ARNOLD

and Josh are two year letter winners so they have BOTKINS – Botkins been around. Seth was Trojans Head Coach playing some varsity as a Brett Meyer welcomes sophomore before he tore back four senior letterhis ACL. We have a solid men from the varsity core of players returning. squad and another four They have a lot of experiunderclassmen from a ence and play well as a successful junior varsity team,” said Meyer. team a season ago.

Botkins fielded a solid The Trojans, who junior varsity squad a posted a 10-12 mark last season ago. The players season, return a sturdy who were successful congroup. Senior Heath tributors at that level Geyer was a Shelby will be relied upon heavCounty League Honorily this year as they make able Mention Selection the transition to the varthis past season. The sity level. multipurpose Geyer Three juniors and a tossed in 8 points a game sophomore are expected last season and was sec- to contribute at the varond on the team in resity level. Junior Roger bounding. Geyer, who Miller will play the guard stands 6-2, is a versatile position and provides a player for the Trojans, strong outside game presand will run the offense ence for the Trojans. at the point guard posiClassmate Alex Roberts tion. will also be a guard and Josh Schwartz averprovides strength on deaged eight points a game fense, while Brock Fullast season and will see lenkamp will help man action both inside and the post. Sophomore outside this year for Mitch Goubeaux will proBotkins. They are joined vide an offensive punch

by Seth Hoying who will and help handle the ball. provide a solid outside “Those four led us on shooter and Gabe our JV team last year.

Lawrence who according Mitch (Goubeaux) hit to Meyer will play post some big free throws for but also has a nice touch us last year in our first from outside shooting the Sectional game against ball.

Loramie. He started get“They played together ting some minutes (on now for a while. Heath varsity) at the end of the

BOTKINS SENIOR boys basketball players arefront Row Heath Geyer (left) and Seth Hoying.

Back Row: Josh Schwartz (left) and Gabe Lawrence.

year. Alex and Roger got varsity level during the summer,” said Meyer. a few minutes down the With a solid core of restretch as well. They have all been playing at the turning players – Meyer

stressed the importance of limiting turnovers and playing good defense.

“Definitely taking care of the ball is going to be huge for us and give us more possessions. We are probably going to have Heath at the point this year and he ran it pretty well this past summer – we expect him to take control of the team,” said Meyer.

Meyer likes the strengths of his team which includes their experience and their ability to collectively play well together. With a roster that lacks a lot of overall height – rebounding could be a little bit of a concern.

The Trojans who have made a habit of playing well come tournament time the last few years will navigate through another regular season SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG schedule.

“We have a lot of those BOTKINS GIRLS basketball seniors are (l-r) Front Row: Claire McCullough, Caitlin Lane and Logan Pitts. returning guys back who Back Row: Jill Schneider, Casie Bergman and Hannah Koch. are ready to play. Of

course, the Shelby County League is always tough and every night is a battle and we have a lot of MAC teams on our off nights when we are not playing an SCL team. We like the competition and we love to play good teams,” concluded Meyer.

Botkins, who will start things off this season with a tournament at Ben Logan, enjoyed a successful summer.

“We start off at the Ben Logan tournament on Friday and Saturday.

We turn around and play Russia on Tuesday and that Friday is our Homecoming already with Ridgemont. We added Ridgemont this year with the new 22 game schedule. This will be our first time playing them but we did see them at basketball camp. We went to the Findlay camp and played pretty well there. It’s really good and usually you can get a pretty good gauge on how you do at that camp and we were happy – we did pretty well there.

Girls basketball Don Mack has been a long-time coach in the Botkins girls basketball program. Mack returns for his second year as the varsity head coach. Prior to that Mack served three years as a varsity assistant, six years as the junior varsity coach, and seven years as a junior high coach.

This year Mack greets back a half a dozen seniors from last year’s Trojan team that finished 8-13.

Continued on page 7

Jackson Center

continued from page 5

valuable playing time last season. Zimpfer has established herself as a solid defender for the Tigers.

“Courtney has great defense, she will be someone we can count on to guard the opponent’s better player. Offensively, we will need her to step up and handle the ball for us and take control, “said Huffer.

Junior post player Elizabeth Sailor is currently out of the lineup while battling an injury. Sailor if a player the Tigers hope will be able to successfully return to the lineup.

“We look forward to the day she returns. She is a hard worker and will do

anything you ask her to do, “said Huffer.

Junior Kaneta Schaub is a guard who brings plenty of energy to the team.

“Kaneta is a little spitfire. She's a hard worker and will do exactly what you tell her to so,” said Huffer.

The Jackson roster will feature a group of freshmen looking to contribute for the Tigers. Peyton Esser and Pauline Meyer are guards for Jackson Center and Nicole Fogt is a post player.

“We look forward to a few freshmen stepping up and being a threat for us this year. Nothing is set

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JACKSON CENTER senior girls basketball players are Jess Wren (left) and Hannah Meyer. stone yet, but we have a competitive freshman class this year,” said Huffer.

The Tigers will combine some veterans and some young players who

will need to play critical varsity minutes.

“We are a young and inexperienced team but we have the drive and work ethic to be a great team,” said Huffer.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 7

3 letter winners return for Russia Raiders

BY TONY ARNOLD RUSSIA – Raider head coach Paul Bremigan lost six seniors from last year’s team that finished 14-9 and advanced to the Division IV District Final. However, Russia returns plenty of solid performers including three letter-winners and a deep roster of players competing for minutes at the varsity level.

Leading the way among the returning players is Treg Francis, a second team all county performer a season ago. Francis tallied 13.1 a game while canning 38 triples in the regular season.

“Treg will have to be multi-dimensional for us this year. We know that he will be the focal point of opponents defenses and he realizes that he will have to help us in all parts of the game and be a leader for us. Treg’s ability to lead by example will be important to us this year,” said Bremigan.

Trevor Sherman returns for the Raiders after running the offense a season ago at the point guard position.

“He will be used in that spot again this year but will also be playing on the perimeter. We are looking for Trevor to continue to be a good defender and a leader on the floor. The experience he gained last year will help us tremendously,” said Bremigan.

Bryce Dues returns for the Raiders as an athletic player with plenty of capabilities. Dues, is a versatile threat for the Raiders with the ability to play strong in the paint but also flexible enough to roam the SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG perimeter for the Blue and Gold.

“Bryce is an athletic kid with exceptional jumping RUSSIA SENIOR boys basketball players are (l-r) Trevor Sherman, Treg Francis, Bryce Dues and Austin GaContinued on page 8 riety.

Botkins Hannah Koch, Claire McCullough, Cassie Bergman, Logan Pitts, Jill Schneider, and Caitlin Lane are all seniors on the Botkins roster.

“We have six total seniors so I’m expecting a lot out of them. Five of them lettered last year. The senior class is a very good group of kids and I expect a lot out of them. I’ve been with them for four years – so they know what I expect and they know what I expect,” said Mack.

Logan Pitts returns for the Trojans after being named a Shelby County League Honorable mention selection a season ago.

“Our leading scorer is coming back in Logan Pitts. She received county honorable mention last year and has done some things on her own to make herself a better athlete so it’s kind of neat to see,” said Mack.

In terms of the perimeter game – Mack is looking for some solid efforts from some other seniors.

I’m really looking forward to Cassie Bergman, Claire McCullough, and Hannah Koch to step it up from outside the arc.

I’m really looking for big things from those three,” explained Mack.

Three juniors are on the roster and are expected to make contributions, Michaela Kramer, Andrea Goettemoeller, and Emily Brown.

“Whatever we ask of these kids they are going to do and try their best at it,” explained Mack.

The Trojans made strides last season after finishing 4-17 the year before. Botkins strung together a nice win streak to level their mark at 8-8 on the year before dropping to four high quality opponents down the stretch.

“Last year we built some momentum getting to 8-8 and all of a sudden we finished the year with Loramie, Anna, Loramie, and Coldwater. That kind of deflated. We finished 813 overall and lost in the first round tournament game to a good Mechanicsburg team,” said Mack.

As Mack scans his ros-

continued from page 6

and team captain.

Buehler will swim the 50 free and 100 backstroke and be a member of the relay teams. Additionally, a pair of seniors return after taking last year off.

Adam Buehler is a senior with a strong track record.

“He took last year off and is now back and will be swimming the 100 fly and will a member of the relay teams. Adam was a member of the 2011 boys District Qualifying relay team,” explained Thaman.

Andy Egbert is another senior who took last year off and has a huge upside in terms of potential.

“I am looking to Andy to be the team leader for the boys. He will be focusing on the 50 & 100 freestyle and relay teams.

He is hoping to qualify to Districts in the individual freestyle events. Andy was a member of the 2010 & 2011 boys District Qualifying relay teams,” said Thaman.

Lucas Buehler is a sophomore who will be competing on the team for the first time. Buehler does have experience at the recreational level and will swim the 100 breaststroke and be a part of the relay teams. A pair of Over the past couple years – Botkins has very freshmen will be counted much been on the map in upon this year as well for the Trojans. Dillon Unthe state of Ohio in the derwood will swim the world of swimming and shorter distance freestyle diving. Top Trojan performer Logan Bauer was events and 100 breastthe Division II State Div- stroke. Kyle Maurer will compete in the freestyle ing Champion last year events. and was the runner-up “I think that the boys the year before.

While Bauer graduated team even though they last season – fourth year are small we will have most of the events covBotkins coach Heather ered and should compete Thaman welcomes back well with most teams on plenty of talent. our schedule. The leader“We have eight meets this season with many of ship of the seniors comthem against teams from bined with their around the area. With us experience and the expeonly having two practice rience of our freshmen should make the boys days at the pool each very competitive. Three of week I think that the the six boys are returning kids really make the most of the time that we Varsity Letter winners,” explained Thaman. have in the pool. This The Botkins girls team season the athletes have on the shoulders of both set some high goals for themselves and I am hop- talent and depth should be a formidable team this ing that we can achieve year. The roster is these goals,” explained stocked with plenty of Thaman. contributors.

Cody Buehler returns “We have a lot of expeas a fourth year senior ter he identifies rebounding as a potential concern. The Trojans lost two seniors who were both around 5-10.

“Rebounding is a major concern when I look at the roster. We also need to become better shooters,” said Mack.

Botkins opens up with a rare Saturday night game for the season opener. Parkway travels to Botkins for the season opener for both teams on Saturday, November 24.

To make things even more interesting – former Botkins boys coach and good friend of Mack, Doug Hughes is now the varsity assistant girls coach at Parkway, while Doug’s wife is the varsity coach.

“We want to see how many people we can get for that game. I’ve seen that gym filled for one girls game and I’d really like to see how many we can possibly get for this one. It’s a great way to kick off the season and create a great atmosphere for the kids and get things off to a great start,” said Mack.

Botkins Swim Team

rience both from returning swimmers and newcomers and I think that the combination will be tough for their competition to handle. The girls are very excited about this season and can’t wait for the first meet. I think if their drive and motivation stays throughout the whole season they may surprise some teams,” said Thaman.

Heather Brown is a returning senior who will swim the100 backstroke and be a member of all 3 relays. Emily Holbrook is a first year senior swimmer who will swim freestyle events.

The Trojans have five juniors who be an important part of the team this year. Rachel Cooper is a junior with plenty of experience. She will swim the 100 breaststroke and be a member of the relay teams.

Rachelle Maurer also has plenty of experience and will swim the 50 freestyle and be member of the relay teams. Maurer is a serious contender for the school record.

Josie Weatherhead is also a junior who will swim the shorter freestyle distances and the 100 backstroke.

Hanna Oakley will swim the 200 IM and 100 backstroke. Bethany Christman is a junior who will competing on the team

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izes in the freestyle and will most likely be swimming any of the 50, 100, or 200 freestyle. CJ Cathcart will swim freestyle and backstroke.

Tayler Weatherhead will compete in the freestyle and backstroke.

“Of the first year swimmers only Amber and Keirstyn have previous swimming experience.

I’m looking forward to see what all the other girls bring to the pool. I think that Bethany will do well, because her sister was a former swimmer,” said Thaman.

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for the first time. Christman will swim the 100 butterfly and be a member of the relay teams.

Sophomore Bailey Schnippel returns for the Trojans and will swim the long distance freestyle events such as the 200 & 500 freestyle.

She dropped over two minutes last season and is hoping to break the school record in the 500 this year,” said Thaman.

Four freshmen join the team this year including Amber Buehler will swim the 100 breaststroke and the 100 freestyle.

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 8

Houston keys on defensive attitude, play

BY TONY ARNOLD

season moves on. We do have some very good defenders; plus the arm length to make shooting and passHOUSTON – Longtime Houston coach John ing challenging,” said Willoughby.

Willoughby became just the third county coach to Leading the way for Houston this year will be a reach the 300 career win milestone a season ago. trio of returning lettermen.

Willoughby’s Wildcats went 11-11 a season ago – giv“Key performers must play at their high level coning the Houston coach 308 career wins. sistently game-in and game-out.

“Even though we are still young - 7 of our top 8 As always, team play and togetherness will deterplayers are juniors - the three returning players were mine this team's success,” said Willoughby. major contributors and statistical leaders on last Junior Jesse Phlipot – a 6-4 wing-player is a wellyear's squad. We look to be a competitive team in our rounded player who earned first-team all county honleague and in the area,” explained Willoughby. ors a season ago. Phlipot scored 13.1 a game last Last season Houston was strong defensively – fin- season while canning 54 percent from the field and ishing second in the area limiting opponents to 45.8 grabbing nearly 8 rebounds a game. points a game and also shot the ball well connecting “Jesse has worked hard on his game. He has beon 46.2 percent of their attempts. come more explosive on the perimeter, able to get by “We must begin the season with that same defenthe defender with a quick move. He has become a sive attitude and play; then get even tougher as the more rounded player by improving his post moves.

ability and has good court sense. He is able to guard the perimeter as well as the post. His post presence is important to us this year, said Bremigan.

The Raiders should feature plenty of depth and a number of players competing for minutes on the varsity team. Senior Austin Gariety is a player Bremigan describes as a good shooter who had a good summer before his final year.

“He’s a hard worker that wants to make the most of his senior season.

We are hoping he can help us on the boards and also on defense,” said Bremigan of Gariety.

The Raider roster includes four juniors who could be critical to the success of the Raiders.

Isaiah Counts had elbow surgery in July and his status still remains unsure.

“Isaiah is a good aggressive defender who plays hard. We are hoping he gets to play this year. His aggressive style would really help us,” said Bremigan.

Classmate Chase Hammonds has shown a demonstrated capability to shoot from outside for the Raiders.

“Chase is a good shooter and aggressive defender. His shooting can help us when we see zone from opponents,” said Bremigan.

Additionally, the Raiders are looking to lean on Kyle Poling – particularly when it comes to post play and battling for boards.

“Kyle is a very good rebounder who is also physical. With our lack of size this year, he could definitely help us,” said Bremigan.

Austin Tebbe is a player who plays with plenty of energy and has the ability to play a either the wing or post position for the Raiders.

“He makes a lot of hustle plays that make a difference in a game. He is a tough kid who plays with a lot of heart,” said Bremigan.

Nolan Francis and Adam Hoying are a pair of sophomore players on the varsity roster this

continued from page 7 year. Francis has proven to be a capable ball handler while Hoying provides versatility.

“Nolan is a good ball handler who gets to the basket quickly. He is also a good shooter which is a good inside out combination for us. He will play point or wing for us this year,” explained Bremigan. “Adam is a smart player who can play inside or out. He will play post for us this year and has really improved from last year. He is a good defender with the ability to guard posts and wings.”

Despite losing six players to graduation – an up-and-coming roster provides Russia with depth again this year.

“I usually like to play a lot of players. This will create a great atmosphere for improvement.

We don’t have much size but will be able to use our quickness and athleticism at both ends of the floor. Our posts are athletic kids. A lot depends on how well we rebound and defend. I think the Shelby County League will be improved this year and very competitive with Jackson Center being the favorite,” concluded Bremigan.

Russia Girls Basketball Allan King enters his third year as the varsity girls coach at Russia and this year promises to be a memorable one.

The Raiders have experience by the buckets – as they were crowned the Division IV District champions a season ago with no seniors on the roster. Last year marked the first district title in 11 years for the Russia girls.

“We expect to continue to build the foundation of a successful program, something these seniors were charged with as sophomores when I came to Russia. Our effort and attention to detail will determine our success in doing so. The keys for us taking the next step will be to improve in three main areas, rebounding, turnover margin, and scoring,” explained King.

Russia fills the roster

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

RUSSIA SENIOR girls basketball players are (l-r) Ashley Borcher, Shana Meyer and Bethany York. with a formidable bunch.

Senior post player Shana Meyer is a two-year starter who averaged 6.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and an impressive 1.3 blocked shots a season ago. Senior guard Ashley Borchers tossed in 6.0 a game, grabbed 4.6 boards, and swatted 1.4 shots, and recorded 1.9 steals a season ago.

“Shana and Ashley are a pair of seniors with the ability to score, rebound, and play defense. Shana and Ashley are solid leaders. They do the work in the offseason, they come and practice hard every day and they always show up on game day.

They do most of their leading by example, which is the best kind,” explained King.

A big lift this season will be the return of senior Bethany York – a powerful post player and excellent defender for the Raiders. After missing all of last season due to injury York returns this season. A couple seasons ago as a sophomore – York was an All-District performer while leading the Raiders in points, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots.

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against pressure and just expect her to make plays.

She has grown so much in her first two years and I see her growing even more this season. She has the ability to be one of the best point guards in our area. I think this year you will really see her come into her own making plays for others as well as herself. I think she is a player to watch this season.

Last year’s leading scorer is also back for the Blue and Gold. Sophomore Kylie Wilson was a source of consistency last season, starting everygame and producing some glossy numbers.

Wilson tallied an average of eleven points and seven rebounds a game.

“Kylie jumped out to a great start last year and by six to seven games into our season everyone keyed on her inside. She saw double teams, denials, etc. from that point on. It slowed her scoring down some but I think it really helped her learn

the game as a whole and she will be better off for it. She will have a target on her back in every game for the next 3 years, but I feel like she is used to it at this point and has learned how to have success in spite of it,” said King.

Sophomore Taylor Daniel saw varsity action in every game a season ago and averaged 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a pair of assists last year.

King points to a Claire Sherman and Claudia Monnin as a couple of players who played key roles coming off the bench a season ago as being players pushing for playing time.

“It is great to have a large group returning because you feel like you have a jumping off point for the season. However I've learned in the past that each year is independent of the past and even if you have the same players that dynamics on a team change from year to year,” concluded King.

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to see how Bethany fits into this group. The last time she played two years ago we were a completely different team. She only really had the opportunity to play about a week with this group last year, and it was so early on it is hard to tell how things will shake out. She has yet to practice with this group and I am really anxious to see how her athleticism and abilities mesh with those on the court. I think it opens up options for us all over the court and I plan on doing some things to highlight her abilities,” said King.

Also returning for the Raiders is junior Camille Puthoff who serves as a steady point guard for Russia. Puthoff was a Second Team All-County performer last season averaging 8.0 points, 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 4.0 rebounds a game.

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He has learned to enjoy the contact in the post area and has expanded his game to take advantage of the physical play. Where Jesse has improved as a player is by his leadership. He leads by his exemplary effort and condition and his love for playing basketball,” said Willoughby.

Jake Braun is a key for the Wildcats. The 5-11 guard was a sturdy performer a season ago – leading the Wildcats in steals, assists, and three-pointers.

“Jake may be our best on-ball defender. He is stronger this year, and we are looking for Jake to be a big threat for us,” said Willoughby.

Rounding out the returning letter winners is Nate Ritchie a 6-2 wing player. The Wildcats will lean on Ritchie for his presence in the paint along with his ability to help clean the class on the boards.

“Nate is one of our top athletes. He has a unique Continued on page 9

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 9

Versailles poised to make another run

BY FRED HERRON VERSAILLES - “I’m looking forward to this season,” says Scott McEldowney, coach of the Versailles boys varsity basketball team. “We’re hoping to repeat a better last year.”

McEldowney is referring to his team’s impressive 22-3 overall run last year. They also went 7-2 in the MAC and placed second overall.

“We again have high expectations for the upcoming season,” McEldowney explained. “Although we lost three starters to graduation, we have four lettermen coming back, including our second- and third- leading scorers and rebounders: Chad Winner 14 points per game, 5rebounds, and Kyle Ahrens 13 per game, 6 rebounds. We also have a lot of good newcomers coming from a highly successful JV team last year. This is one of the most athletic teams we’ve had at Ver-

Houston

sailles, and we hope to again make a deep run in tournament.”

In reference to the Tiger’s place in the MAC, McEldowney further explained, “The MAC will again be very difficult with Ft. Recovery, St. Henry, and Delphos St. John’s returning key players. We hope to put ourselves in this mix, along with all the other highly competitive teams in the conference.”

This will be McEldowney’s seventh year as head coach of the Varsity Boys basketball team, so he no doubt has a good handle on the Tiger’s potentials this season. McEldowney has been at Versailles for 23 years where he was the freshman coach for two years, Junior Varsity coach for twelve years, and than a varsity assistant for two more years. In fact, McEldowney seems to have been about basketball for most of his life. One year out of High School, he played at Edison, and then started coaching the second year.

One change to McEldowney’s staff this year is the loss of one of his two assistants, Michael Bashere.

Bashere took on a head-coaching job over at Greenville. McEldowney has decided to remain with only one assistant, Kevin Ahrens.

“The kids are typically self motivated,” McEldowney said. He tries to get the kids to “stay positive on the floor the whole time” and to “try not to show negative emotion. To put the team before self.

“We’ve got really hard working kids at Versailles,” McEldowney went on to say. “Good at motivating themselves.”

According to McEldowney, his team has “really good athletes.” And that “the chemistry is pretty good.” They are “good at accepting younger players.”

Younger players that come on to the team to help them out.

Continued on page 10

continued from page 8

knack for offensive rebounding. Last season Nate was second in all rebounding categories. We look for Nate to continue his rebounding skills; along with letting his natural ability to score,” said Willoughby.

The Wildcat roster is lined up with plenty of other capable players. TJ Martin stands 6-3, and is a senior who Willoughby points to being an X-factor for the Wildcats.

“TJ has the capability of being a dominate player.

He has to learn to play up to his abilities every time he steps on the court. He can guard multi positions on the floor and is an active rebounder. Offensively, TJ must use his deceptive quickness to his advantage in the post,” explained Willoughby.

Junior Evan Winner is a junior guard who Willoughby describes as having plenty of quickness and brings excitement to the team. Winner will be the point guard and will be relied upon to help create opportunities on the offensive end.

“He is a threat from deep and able to shoot from well beyond the three-point point line. A key will be getting consistent performance from Evan,” said Willoughby of Winner.

Additionally, Austin Sarver is a junior post player who Willoughby says is a strength inside – with the ability to score in a variety of different ways including from downtown. Jamie Riffel is a junior who Willoughby describes as a streaky shooter who at times is capable of hitting four or five shots in a row.

David Nagel is a junior post player who is quick to action when going after a loose ball.

“It’s imperative that we get steady and reliable play from the new-comers,” explained Willoughby.

Additionally, Willoughby points to the importance of being ready to go right out of the gate, with the HOUSTON HIGH School boys basketball senior TJ Martin. season opener coming against Jackson Center.

“Since we do have some experience back and our schedule is loaded at the beginning, we must be ready to play at a top level at the beginning of the season.

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

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HOUSTON HIGH School girls basketball seniors are (l-r) Angela Gilkeson, Kortney Phipps and Alissa Stang. and Terri Powell is a guard.

“Heidi is a quick instinctive player that can cover a lot of ground because of the space she can cover. Terri will be needed as an outside shooter, especially after losing our 3 shooters from last year,” said Ward.

The Wildcats could see a variety of different players from throughout the program fill their roster this year.

“Because of our lack of numbers we will be using most everyone in the program at sometime during the season. The other players that can see playing time this season are: Morgan Ferryman, Madison Young, Ashley Peeples, Amber Meyer, Macey Stang,

Micalah Hensley, Kayla New and Jenna Winner,” said Ward.

With the departure of some key players to graduation the Wildcats anticipate some early growing pains – but Ward is quick to point out that the way his team responds will be critical this year.

“We will be a young team looking to replace our scoring from last year. If we can survive early growing pains and the players buy into how hard we will have to work and play we will see tremendous improvement this season. Our success will depend on finding those players who are going to step up and score this season,” concluded Ward.

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Greg Ward and the Houston Lady Wildcats are a little short on numbers heading into the basketball season this year. Ward knows his Wildcats and their fortunes will rely heavily on the ability of different players stepping up this season.

Three players return for the Wildcats including Kortney Phipps, Alyssa Stang, and Monique Booher.

Senior center Kortney Phipps will be counted upon heavily for her experience and leadership. Phipps provides leadership and a proven track record of playing varsity basketball.

“Kortney will be a third year starter, her experience will be relied upon to help develop our younger players and will be a quick shot blocking presence in the post,” said Ward.

The Wildcats return another senior - Alyssa Stang – who will play the forward and center position.

“She will be called upon to provide inside defense and scoring. The scoring, defense, and rebounding she can provide will be important for our success,” said Ward.

Monique Booher is a junior forward for the Wildcats who will likely play a versatile role this year.

“Monique will provide us with help inside and outside. Her size will be needed as a post presence and her ability to score outside will give much needed scoring,” said Ward.

While the role of the returing players will be critical – several new players to the varsity team will need to step-up as well.

Angela Gilkeson is a Wildcat senior forward who features plenty of speed and a strong work ethic.

“Angela will provide quickness and an eager positive attitude,” said Ward.

Nicole Maier is a sophomore point guard who could play a significant role for the Wildcats. Maier’s development as a sophomore throughout the season could prove to be a difference-maker.

“There are big shoes to fill with the departure of last year’s seniors. She (Nicole) has shown great promise during our summer shootouts,” said Ward.

A couple juniors will very much be in the mix for the Wildcats. Heidi Cox is a forward for the Wildcats

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 10

New Knoxville boys: speed over size

BY FRED HERRON

Despite their youth and smaller size, Fledderjohann said, “I have a good NEW KNOXVILLE Coach Kort Fledderjohann group of young players to work with. Our strength of the New Knoxville will be at the guard posiRangers, boy’s basketball tions. Overall the MAC team wants to emphasize to his players that “just be- should be more competitive cause you’re outsized, you this year with multiple teams having the ability to can’t let that stop you.” compete for the champiSize is an issue on this onship. Versailles and St. year’s team. The players are young, and there isn’t a Henry will be two of the lot of size to work with. So, top teams, with Ft Recovery, Minster, Marion, and in order to stay competiDelphos St. Johns all retive, Fledderjohann’s emphasis is going to be speed. turning key players from last year.”

“We’re going to play up Last year the Rangers tempo,” he said. “And the finished 9-12. Unfortugoal is to be competitive nately they lost two of their every game.” impact starters, Seth Kuck, However, as Fledderjoa rebounder, and Lucas hann said, “With youth comes inconsistency.” But, Leffer, their top scorer.

Thankfully, according to he wants his team to conFledderjohann, “we have a tinually learn to compete group of young kids ready against the bigger kids.

His strategy is to play up- to step in and compete.”

This years returning lettempo and spread the floor. ter winners are seniors, “With smaller size comes quickness,” said Fledderjo- Jake Allen and Andrew Arnett, as well as juniors, Ben hann. “We want to take Kuck and Ryan Lageman. advantages of the mismatches that creates.” In Top Newcomers are senior, Spencer Wolf, junior, Isaac addition to playing upKuntz, and sophomores, tempo and spreading the Shane Topp, Adam Howe, floor, Fledderjohann said that his team would play a and Jalen Fullenkamp. lot of man-to-man.

Versailles

Girls Basketball It takes a great leader to lead a team to success in spite of difficult challenges.

Last year, despite being considered a rebuilding year by Coach Timothy Hegemier, the New Knoxville Lady Rangers finished an impressive 21-4 overall, and at 7-2 in the MAC, where they finished second. Hegemier again has great ambition for his squad this year, aiming to finish in the top three or four in the league.

Hegemier, eight-year varsity coach of the Lady Rangers, stresses defense.

He wants his girls to “get as physical as you can. You have to play physical and play hard defense to win.”

Despite the last year’s impressive season and this years ambitious hopes, Hegemier still considers this year to be yet another rebuilding year. The reason, according to Hegemier is that “there are no seniors on the team. Our numbers are low this year and there will be no junior varsity squad.”

The solution? “The freshmen will have to step

up and fill the void,” Hegemier explained.

Hegemier also has high hopes for junior Point Guard, Haley Horstman.

She was a starter last year, and Hegemier said that she is getting interest from some colleges. Last year, as a sophomore, Horstman had received the Player of the Year honor in the MAC. Hegemier is hoping that she will do a lot to carry his young, rebuilding team.

In addition to Horstman, Hegemier will have junior, Paige Lehman taking the inside. Sophomore, Meg Reineke will play the wing, and Kaylen Schroer will be in the mix. And then, according to Hegemier, the “fifth spot is wide open.”

He’ll have to bring up two freshmen willing to step in to cover the fifth spot and to be available on the bench if and when it’s needed. Freshman players available for the spots include Rachel Leffel, Madison Lammers, Abigail Lageman, and Catlin Magato.

“All around we need experience,” said Hegemier.

With no seniors this year, and going with two juniors,

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

NEW KNOXVILLE Senior basketball players are Jake Allen (left) and Spencer Wolf. two sophomores, and two freshmen, he said, “they have a lot to learn.” The two juniors on the team will certainly be the go to people this season in order to make another impressive run.

It was a difficult blow to

lose three seniors last year.

Those losses included two six footers, Haley Dillon and Tiana Heidt.

“I think we’ll start off slow,” Hegemier said in light of a tough schedule.

“We’ve got our hands full the first five or six games.”

continued from page 9

McEldowney said that two of the kids, senior Chad Winner, and Sophomore Kyle Ahrens, are “in the gym whenever it’s open; 24/7.” They are both second and third in scoring and second and third in rebounding.

The Tigers top scorer and rebounder, first and second in those categories, was Mitchel Campbel. He graduated and went on to Findley, Ohio on a football scholarship where he is playing Division II football.

With the loss of impact players, come challenges and areas for growth and improvement. The point guard position is a little bit of a concern, and McEldowney also has his Tigers working hard defensively.

This year, McEldowney plans on having his squad open the floor: up tempo, half and full court pressure, get the ball out, and run the floor. He wants to “take advantage of (his team’s) athleticism and quickness.”

“So many teams in the MAC are more ball controlled,” McEldowney said. They are “trying to slow the game down. We try to speed it up.”

Even though McEldowney’s team got beaten last year in the senior regional finals by Summit Country Day, they take pride in knowing that the team that knocked them out went on to actually win state, and no other team played them as close as Versailles.

“We had a sub par night shooting,” McEldowney said. “It’s a game we had a good shot to get there and win it.”

Another special achievement from last season was that Ahrens and Winner were both first team all MAC. One of the go to people this season will be Junior, Damian Richard, whom McEldowney said was “one of a bunch putting up points last year” and that he is a “really good third scorer.” McEldowney also said that the Junior Varsity team, members of which will be on his Varsity team this year, “was pretty good last year.”

Top newcomers this season are Seniors Dominic Richard and Craig Pothast, and then juniors, Nick Campbell, Jacob Wenning, Evan Philpot, and Ryan Knapke. In addition to Ahrens, Winning, and Richard, Heitkamp is another returning letter winner.

PHOTO BY/KYLE SHANER

VERSAILLES' Kyle Ahrens is shown in action last season.

shooting. Stonebrakers emphasis will be on keeping the midrange game, those twelve to fourteen foot shots, going strong. “We’re really strong there.”

Stonebraker mentioned that sometimes the girls will want to go all out and try to shoot three point buckets. But Stonebraker feels that those mid range shots are where they are strong and can garner more potential points. Additionally, Stonebraker will focus Jacki Stonebraker, Coach of the varsity girls bason “a lot of posts.” ketball squad at Versailles, believes “it will be anLast year was a great season for the Lady Tigers, other tough race for any team to stay undefeated in even though they were knocked out in the first round the MAC. New Knoxville, Minster, and Marion Local of the tournaments. They went 14-7 overall and 5-4 should be at the top! (We) lost one senior, a shooting in the MAC. As to their disappointing tournament guard, from the outside, but I think we have some showing, Stonebraker said that it was “one of those girls that can step up.” Namely, Danielle Langston. upsets when you show up not ready to play.” But This will be Stonebrakers 10th year as head coach. even with such a great season, Stonebraker comShe emphasizes to her players to “play with an agmented that previous season was a kind of rebuilding gressive attitude. Never say die.” She said that year for the team. So this season they’ve got eight or when playing every game in the MAC, “you have to nine strong athletic juniors, vets, and three sophohave to have a determined attitude or you’ll get mores stepping up. beat.”

Returning letter winners are senior, Meagan WinHowever, even though Stonebraker emphasizes ner, a Guard whom Stonebraker describes as “tall this tough and determined, “never say die” attitude and thin,” and “a pretty good shooter” at the 12-14 ft on the court, she strongly emphasized that that the range. Other returning letter winners include junteam’s attitude is also “very family oriented,” that iors, Katie Heckman, a go to in the Post, Chloe, a go they are “like sisters. They do a lot together.” Stone- to Point Guard on the outside, Amanda Winner at breaker went on to say that “getting along off the Guard, Olivia Schlater, also at Guard, Courtney court can help the on the court,” and that the “coachPrenger, a Small Forward, and then three more ing staff does a lot to develop the whole kid, and do a guards, Kayla McEldowney, Rachel Kremer, and lot for the community.”

Brooke Pothast.

When it comes to the lady Tigers strengths and One top newcomer to the team this year is junior areas that need improvement, Stonebraker comEmily Harman who Stonebraker said plays the post mented, “we are very versatile this year. We hope to and was on the Junior Varsity Team last year. Other PHOTO BY/KYLE SHANER improve defensively and play with more pressure.” top newcomers are sophomores, Lauren Bruns, a She said that they needed to work on their post play.

Guard, Christa Puthoff at Post, and Taylor Winner, VERSAILLES' Katie Heckman is shown in action last They are going to “concentrate on getting the ball in- also a Guard. season. side. She also hopes to improve her squads outside

Girls Basketball

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 11

Anna faces ‘new-look’ squad this season

BY MATT ZIRCHER ANNA - Besides Jackson Center, the Anna boys basketball team were the hottest team in the county at the end of the season as the Rockets won 10 straight after a 4-5 start before falling to the Tigers in the regular-season finale.

Most of those faces from that team, however, have graduated, leaving head coach Nate Barhorst with a new-look squad this season.

Anna does, however, have one returning starter in senior Chandon Williams, who shot 51 percent from the field and had 29 steals during the regular season.

“We’re looking for big things from Chandon this year,” said Barhorst. “He’s a very versatile player and a prototypical scorer. He can drive to the basket, slash and finish strong at the glass. He came on late for us last season and showed that he can really be a scorer for us as well as be a key on defense.”

“Chandon is the only one for us that had a lot of varsity experience last year,” added Barhorst. “We need for him to help provide leadership and to get the others involved in our style of play.”

Guard Brad Boyd is the other senior on the roster and he is coming back from another knee injury he suffered during the summer. “Brad seems to be recovering very well and is already farther along than expected. We will be counting on him for leadership and his outside shooting.”

There are seven juniors on the team, led by 6-4 post player Joel Albers. “Joel gives us a great post presence inside and should be able to help pick up the slack we lost to graduation. He has the potential of being a “double-double” kind of player.”

Carter Bensman will run the point. “He has great poise and moxy on the court. He can drive to the basket or shoot from the outside. He’s starting to evolve a leadership role that teams look for in a point guard.”

Nick Ihle gives the Rockets another presence inside according to the coach. “He has a good sense of the game and understands his role out on the court.”

Josh Robinson will be out early for Anna due to a finger injury suffered during football season. “Josh will see time at the wing and forward for us. He’s long, athletic kid who can play inside and outside.

We really need him to be explosive for us.”

Brady Cates has “really worked hard in the off-season and improved his jump shot. He’s an explosive kid and can get up and down the court.”

6-5 T.J. Saunders will also see some time inside.

“T.J. is very athletic and a guy that can crash the boards. We continue to keep working with him on his game inside.”

Guard Nick Doseck rounds out the junior group.

“Nick is a grinder on defense and really gets after opposing players. He brings that grit you need to have.”

There are five sophomores pushing for varsity time including guard Christian Williams, Chandon’s brother. “He’s got quickness, balance and good court vision. He can get into the paint to dish as well as finish, but also knows when to pull it out and run offense.”

“Derek Scoggin is another sophomore that has really come around and grown and he will compete for floor time. He gives us another option in the post.”

Other sophomores in the mix include Evan Romie, Grant Glover and Mikey Omlor.

“We still have a lot of guys vying for spots on this team,” said Barhorst. “Guys are pushing each other for major roles, which may change things as we head into the start of the season.”

“We should be able to get up and down the floor with this team, so transition will be key,” added Barhorst. “I feel like we should be able to break teams down off the dribble and I think it will be critical for us to be a good rebounding team despite a perceived lack of size.”

Like many county coaches, Barhorst sees a competitive race this season.

“I think you have to look first at the defending champs in Jackson Center,” said Barhorst. “They still have a lot of talent coming back, their guard play is one of the best in the area and they have Ryder inside. Fairlawn has a good senior class, Russia always comes at you, and Loramie should bounce back.”

Along with the resumption of a series with Covington, Anna has added another Midwest Athletic Conference team to the schedule in St. Henry.

“We thought that adding St. Henry would give us another tough opponent to help us get ready for the tournament,” said Barhorst. “A lot of schools in the Division III tournament are comparable to them.

There’s not one game on our schedule that you can point to and say that’s a definite win.”

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

ANNA SENIOR boys players are Chandon Williams (left) and Brad Boyd.

SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER

ANNA SENIOR girls basketball players are (L-R) back row: Katie Niekamp, Natalie Billing, Sydney Rioch and Emily Watercutter. (L-R) front row: Kelli Ehemann, Kyla Blankenship and Erica Huber.

we’ve been hitting on all cylinders at the right time.”

The Rockets return three starters and seven seniors this season, including Billing’s daughter, Natalie, who averaged nearly 17 points and 12 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field.

“Natalie’s been a four-year starter for us and has over 1000 points already in her career,” said Billing.

“We’re counting on her to be a big scorer and rebounder for us again this season.”

Another senior is point guard Erica Huber. “Erica is like another coach on the floor and does a great job of running the offense and making things happen.

We need for Erica and Natalie to be leaders on this team and help out the younger players.”

Other seniors for Anna include Kelli Ehemann, Katie Niekamp, Sydney Rioch, Emily Watercutter and Kayla Blankenship.

“We’re looking for all of our seniors to step up this season,” said Billing. “Sydney will really help us on the boards and play good defense for us while Emily is probably one of the best shooters in our program.

Kelli and Katie always give it everything they have and they will give us quality minutes off the bench.”

Juniors on this year’s squad include Krista Blankenship, Courtney Landis and Rachel Noffsinger while underclassmen Cayla Bensman, Courtney It’s been quite a run for the Anna girls basketball Esser and Avery Bensman also figure in the mix. team.

“Cayla had a good season for us, but she struggled The Rockets were just a few points short from at the state tournament and looked like a freshman going 56-0 the last two years, having lost by a point out there,” said Billing. “She’s played a lot of summer at Tipp City in finishing 27-1 and winning the Diviand AAU ball, though, so she has a lot of time under sion III state title in 2010-11 and then fell in overher belt now and I think she’s going to be a good one time to Columbus Africentric in the state title game for us this year.” in 2011-12, again finishing 27-1.

“We’re going to be strong and physical, get the ball Overall, Anna has won 16 or more games in each of the last seven years, with four of those more than 20 up and down the floor and make teams play full court,” said Billing. “We going to try to make teams wins. play faster than they are comfortable doing.”

“Going to the state tournament in back-to-back “We need to find another person to build around years is amazing enough, but to make three straight Natalie, Erica and Cayla,” added Billing. “If we play trips would be quite a feat,” said coach Jack Billing. some defense and have a little luck, we could have a “You have to have a lot of luck, stay injury free and be playing well at the right time. The last two years, very good season.”

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Anna once again plays one of the toughest nonleague schedules around the area this season, facing Lima Bath, Miami East, Marion Local, Carroll, Middletown Madison, Tipp City and Minster.

“Our schedule is brutal, but I believe if you want to be the best, you have to play the best,” said the coach.

“We picked up Bath, Carroll, Madison and Miami East this year and all four of those teams have been very successful in recent years. Playing those kind of teams has helped us prepare for our tournament runs and only makes you better. The girls enjoy the challenge.”

“Going to 22 games this season is a good thing,” added Billing. “The girls get tired of practice and they are used to playing 40-50 games during the summer in AAU. If you are winning, I don’t think the kids get tired of what you doing, no matter what the sport.”

Along with the nonleague slate, the Rockets will also face two county teams that made the regionals last year in Fort Loramie and Russia.

“Loramie has a very good squad, they’re deep and they’ve worked hard in the summer and Russia has some real talented kids on their roster along with size and quickness,” said Billing. “I think Botkins will be improved and you have to be ready to play every night in this league.”

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 12

Fairlawn boys team rich in experience

BY MATT ZIRCHER While there will be a new face on the Fairlawn sidelines this season in Justin Tidwell, the Jets return plenty of experience to be a factor in the county race.

There are five seniors on the Fairlawn roster, led by guards Trey Everett and Anthony Gillem. Everett averaged nearly 13 points per game and was second in the county in assists as a junior. This fall, he was one of the top soccer players in the area in leading the Jets to their best tournament finish ever.

“Trey is a tremendous athlete and is Mr. Do-It-All for us,” said Tidwell. “We going to look for him to bring the ball up the court, defend the post, play in the post and is going to be that guy for us.”

Gillem averaged 21 points during 11 regular-season games and shot 38 percent from three-point range and 84 percent at the line despite a wrist injury.

“We’ve been working with Anthony a lot on his defense,” said Tidwell. “He’s lights out scoring wise, but we need more from him on the defensive side. He’s back to his normal self from the wrist injury and stroking it like it did before.”

“You never want an injury, especially with a competitor like Anthony, but it made his other teammates figure out how to score without him,” added the coach. “Hopefully those guys were able to gain some confidence from that and will carry that over to this season.”

Other seniors for the Jets are Jesse Hughes along SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER with Grant Covault and Ryan Lessing. “Jesse is a tremendous on-ball defender and he’s been really FAIRLAWN SENIOR boys basketball players are (l-r) Jessie Hughes, Anthony Gillem,Trey Everett, Grant Coworking on improving his shot. Grant and Ryan will vault and Ryan Lessing. play big roles for us defensively and, hopefully, hit some big shots for us.”

Junior Luke Brautigam will see time inside for Fairlawn. “Luke gives us some height and he can shoot, but he’s not as aggressive offensively right now as we hope for him to be as the season goes along.”

Junior guards Wesley Bolton and Brad Caudill also figure into the mix. “Both can slash and shoot well and we’re looking for them to help us defensively also.”

Sophomore Joey Cockroft gives the Jets size. “He’s a big, thick kid that can get up and down the court and set some good screens for us.”

“We don’t have a lot of height overall, so we’re going to look to get it out and run a little bit with our speed,” said Tidwell. “We have good experience returning, especially with Trey, Anthony and Jesse.”

Tidwell looks for the county race to be strong.

“Jackson lost just a couple of players from their state team and I think Houston will be up there with Jesse Phlipot back. Anna graduated a lot, but they had a good JV team last year, and you can’t count out Russia or Fort Loramie. The race is going to be tight.

Shelby County is filled with great coaches and players and every night will be competitive.”

Like nearly everyone else, Fairlawn added two games to this year’s schedule, including a renewal of a backyard rivalry with Miami East.

“There’s already a lot of buzz for the Miami East game,” said Tidwell. “Everyone is excited, especially with the good basketball tradition that they have. I expect a packed house and a great atmosphere with that one.”

“Bring our A-game and playing good defense every night is going to be a key for us,” added the coach. “If SDN PHOTO/TODD B. ACKER we don’t bring it, we’re going to be in a world of hurt, regardless of how much talent we have or how athFAIRLAWN HIGH School senior girls basketball players are (l-r) Emily Boerger, Haley Slonkosky and Olivia letic we are.”

Cummings. great speed and that’s something you can’t coach. We the area last spring in the shot put. need to use that speed to the best of our ability.”

“Olivia uses her size very well and understands Randy Tyler is the new Fairlawn girls basketball “Allison also has varsity experience and has how to use that to position herself on the boards,” coach this season, but he is familiar with the prosaid Tyler. “She also does a good job of setting up for picked up things quickly for us. She’ll see time at gram, having coached at the school at the junior high shots inside. We’re hoping for big things from her the two and three and maybe at times at the point level. to give Haley a break.” this season.”

The task for Tyler is a tall one as the Lady Jets “Megan and Madeline both have real good size Slonkosky will run the point for the Jets. “Haley have won just one game over the last three seasons. and give us some depth inside. We should have a did a great job in our games during the summer of Tyler, though, is optimistic with what he has seen running the point and learning our new offenses. We good mixture of size and speed out there this seafrom his team over the summer and in the early pre- need her to take the shot when she’s open and to able son. Not a very deep team, but a well-rounded season. team.” to find the open man when she’s not.”

“We were very competitive in our summer camps Building a program is tough, but it’s even Fairlawn also has three juniors in Kelsey Oates, and have carried that over so far into fall practice,” tougher considering that two county teams have adAllison Watkins and Dana Stanley. said Tyler. “We’ve done a lot of bonding as a team “Kelsey has a lot of playing experience for us. She vanced to the state final four in the last two seaand these girls have worked hard. Hopefully, that all will be at the wing for us and had a lot of success sons. will translate into some success this season.”

“Anna has been to state the last two years and there during the summer.”

Fairlawn has three seniors on this year’s roster in have a good deal of the team returning again this Four sophomores round out the roster in Abbie Olivia Cummings, Haley Slonkosky and Emily Roe, Allison Watkins, Megan Dudgeon and Madeline season,” said Tyler. “Loramie went to state two Boerger. years ago and they, along with Russia, went to the Fogt.

Cummings is coming off of a strong season on the regional last year. It’s a tough league with a lot of “Abbie started quite a few games last season and volleyball court and was one of the top performers in will be the two guard for us this season. She has talent and you have to be ready to play every night.”

Girls Basketball

Four letter winners return at Minster The other three seniors are guard Andrew Knapke, forward Vince Brown and guard Kurtis Thobe.

“Andrew is a quality kid that will be able to help us offensively, including shooting and taking care of the ball. Vince has put in a bunch of time preparing for his final season and if he

stays within himself, he should help us at both ends of the floor. Kurtis will help us defensively and he is able to play multiple spots on the floor.”

A pair of juniors that lettered last season return in forward Ethan Wolf and guard Brandon Hoying.

“Ethan has added bulk

GOOD LUCK YELLOW JACKETS! THOMAS L ROLL

and a bit more size, so we will lean on him to get us buckets in the paint and rebound the basketball,” said Lee. “He is an athletic kid that has a bunch of potential.”

“Brandon lettered for us after getting off to a decent start at the junior varsity level. If he develops consistency in taking care of the basketball, he

should help us in many areas at both ends of the floor.”

Sophomore forward Drew Ripploh should also be a factor for the Wildcats this season.

“If Drew plays aggressively at both ends, he will get quality time,” said Lee. “He possesses the size (6-5) that we Continued on page 13

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forward, Poeppelman averaged 11 points per game last season.

MINSTER - Veteran “We are looking for coach Mike Lee has just solid leadership from four letter-winners reDevon and more offensive turning this season, but aggressiveness,” said Lee. those four bring a great deal of experience for the “He’s is a great kid and is someone we will lean on Wildcats. in the early going.”

“Only having four letGuard Adam Niemeyer, ter winners back isn’t a two-year letterman, many, but the ones we also returns after being have are kids that have named First Team Allbeen in the system for multiple years,” said Lee. Midwest Athletic Confer“They have developed the ence as a junior, averaging 11.5 points per necessary skills at the game. varsity level to be solid “Adam is an athletic contributors. It’s a good point guard that will digroup that we will need to see improvement from rect our offensive sets day one after another late and we hope to be able to rotate to a number of start due to the football spots on the floor,” said playoffs.” the coach. “Like Devon, There are five seniors we need Adam to be more on this year’s squad, led aggressive at the offenby three-year letterman sive end of the floor.”

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Fort Loramie eyes ‘return to form’

BY MATT ZIRCHER FORT LORAMIE - Last season was not a typical one for the Fort Loramie boys basketball program.

After advancing to the regionals two years ago and winning 17 games in 2010-11, the Redskins won just five times in 2011-12 overall and only once outside of league play.

Coach Karl Ratermann, though, looks for a return to form this season.

“We just wanted the guys this spring and summer to go out and play more,” said Ratermann. “We’re trying to get the program back on track by just getting guys more involved in the offseason and creating a good environment going into the year.

Senior Seth Guillozet will be called upon for a leadership role, just like he did as the quarterback of the football team this fall. “Seth did an excellent job in the quarterback role and we’re counting on him to do a lot of the same positive things for us on the basketball court. He’s a very talented player, a heck of a shooter and has a lot of the intangibles you like to see your seniors have.”

Seven juniors are on this year’s roster, including Craig Fullenkamp, who will run the point, guard Troy Benanzer and Logan McGee, who will see time at the wing and post.

“Craig, Troy and Logan all were starters by the end of the season, so while we’re still young, we do have experience coming back,” said Ratermann. “We threw them into the fire and they all performed well.”

6-7 Kyle Pleiman gives the Redskins size inside.

“You can’t coach size like that,” said the coach.

“Kyle has been working really hard and been improving every day. He has a nice stroke.”

Also inside will be Tyler Kazmaier. “Tyler had a very good junior varsity season last year and we’re looking for him to real get involved inside.”

Rounding out the list of juniors is the Rittenhouse brothers, guards Trey and Tanner.

Sophomore Ty Frilling also will see action as will 6-3 Grant Olberding. “Ty is very athletic kid and has a nice shot. He played with us this summer and he’s probably going to get a good look for us. He could be very productive for us at the varsity level.”

“Grant probably won’t see a lot of minutes on varsity, but he may be able to give us decent minutes at times.”

Ratermann sees skill level as one of the strengths to this year’s squad.

“We have some guys that can handle the basketball and can shoot it,” said Ratermann. “We’re not very big, but we have a group of guys that have an edge to them, a chip on their shoulder and they’ll bring that to the court and not back down from anybody.”

“We need to be able to rebound the basketball,” added the coach. “If we can do that and get out and

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

FORT LORAMIE senior boys basketball players are Jason Streib (left) and Seth Guillozet. go a little bit, that will be a key for us.”

Ratermann looks to Jackson Center as the team to beat in the county race this season.

“Jackson did lose Andy Hoying, who was a fantastic player for them for four years, but they have everyone else back. They’re very talented and Scott (Elchert) does a great job. The rest of the league will be extremely competitive and we have to be ready to go every night.”

Outside of the league, the Redskins will again played a difficult slate, one that includes seven Midwest Athletic Conference teams (Fort Recovery, Marion Local, Minster, New Bremen, New Knoxville, St. Henry and Versailles), Lehman and a visit to Dayton Jefferson in February.

“The nonleague schedule is tough, but we look forward to the challenge,” said Ratermann. “Jefferson, though, will be unlike any other opponent we will face. We were fortunate enough to get them on the schedule and it will be a great experience for our team.”

“We like our prospects to getting back to the win

ning ways of Loramie basketball,” said Ratermann.

“The kids have taken a lot of pride in their work and I think they are up to the challenge to getting back to the tradition that’s expected.”

Girls Basketball It was a tale of two seasons last year for the Fort Loramie girls basketball team.

After falling in the Division IV state title game in 2010-11, it was a different type of start in 2011-12 as the Redskins battled injuries and inexperience in beginning the season 7-6.

From there, however, Loramie turned it on as a victory over Fort Recovery kicked off a 12-game winning streak that didn’t end until the Redskins lost to TriVillage in the regional finals.

Nearly everyone returns this season and that has coach Carla Siegel excited.

“This year is the opposite of last,” said Siegel. “We graduated seven seniors from the state team, including all five starters, and it was a bare cabinet with just three players having any varsity experience coming back. Now, all but one player returns and the cupboard is fuller this year.”

Leading the list of returnees is junior guard Darian Rose, who averaged just over 14 points per game and had over 50 steals a season ago. “Darian can do a little bit of everything for us, from playing point guard to power forward. She has a great knowledge of the game and can help out in any situation.”

Continued on page 14

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MINSTER SENIOR boys basketball players (l-r) Vince Brown, Devon Poeppelman, Kurtis Thobe, Andrew Knapke and Adam Niemeyer.

Minster

continued from page 12

pakoneta and St. Marys.

The Wildcats also play at Division I Troy on February 16.

“The addition of Troy just gives us an opportunity to compete against a quality program year in

and year out and to gauge our effectiveness of how far we have come as a team since the beginning of the season,” said Lee. “It certainly will be a challenge for our ballclub.”

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need inside.”

“After averaging in the high 40s as a team last year, we need to develop more consistency offensively this season and if that happens, we will be able to compete with teams on our schedule,” added Lee. As usual, the MAC race will be a strong one.

“The overall league is right back up again this year,” said Lee. “You have multiple teams with a bunch of experience back and some outstanding individual talent. Without hedging on an overall winner, I think there are quite a few teams that could vie for the title.”

Along with the MAC schedule, Minster will face seven teams from Shelby County, Spencerville, Ottoville, Mississinawa Valley, Wa-

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 14

Grand expectations for New Bremen basketball

BY FRED HERRON NEW BREMEN - “Our expectations are high going into the season,” commented Coach Adam Dougherty embarking on his second year lading the New Bremen Varsity Boys Basketball Team.

“These guys invested a lot time during the summer.

We hope to get better every day and play our best in March. We are going to be a very long team that should be able to guard people.”

And even though, according to Dougherty, “we lost a lot to graduation a year ago,” they “return four guys with big game varsity experience. Our success will be determined in how ready our younger and inexperienced guys are to contribute and how well our parts gel together.” Dougherty says that his team “has a lot of talent” and that it will just be “how well it fits together.”

Last year Dougherty led his squad to a 13-9 overall record, but finished 4-5 in the conference.

But Dougherty has established an impressive 10153 coaching record during five seasons in North Carolina and last year at New Bremen.

Dougherty said his players are “good kids who work real hard.” He also said that their success as a team depends on how well the group works together. His squad is good at post game rebounding, but they need to work on perimeter shooting, team defense, and shot selection.

As far as strategy, Dougherty will run a motion offense and half court man defense. They set a lot of ball screens and emphasize ball movement.

Last year, the team lost a lot of members to graduation, but they do have two returning starters, Luke Schwieterman and Parker Manger, in addition to four letter winners. Letter winners include Seniors Luke Schwierterman, a 5’10 Guard, Justin Heitkamp, a 6’6 Forward, and Parker Manger, a 6’1 Guard, as well as sophomore, Carson Manger, a 6’1 Guard. Another possible starter this year is Junior, Ben Homan, a 6’6 forward from the Junior Varsity squad. Other members of the team include Seniors Trevor Kitzmiller a 6’5 Forward, Sam Wendal, a 5’8 Guard, and Alex Speelman a 6’4 Forward,

Fort Loramie Senior forward Reggi Brandewie is also back after averaging 11 points and five rebounds a contest last year. “Reggi and Darian will probably be our go-to players this season. They both have good knowledge of the game, have that experience under their belt and understand our system.”

The Redskins have two other seniors on the roster in Paige Ordean and Amanda Holdheide.

“Paige had a tremendous tournament run for us and we’re counting on big things from both her and Amanda this season.”

Loramie has a big junior class with nine altogether, including Rose.

Guard Meg Westerheide will take over the point guard spot. “Meg is a good ball handler, is very quick on the floor and I love her defense.”

5-11 forward Renae Meyer will be in the post. “Renae has good hands and rebounds well.”

Other juniors include Megan Imwalle, Julie Hoying, McKenzie Middendorf, Hannah Meyer, Elizabeth Barhorst and Amy Holthaus.

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

NEW BREMEN senior boys basketball players are (l-r) Alex Speelman, Sam Wendel, Justin Heitkamp, Parker Manger, Trevor Kitzmiller and Luke Schwieterman.

Junior, Brent Goettemoeller a 6’5 Forward, and sophomores, Trey Naylor, a 5’10 Guard, and Nolan Fox, a 6’4 Forward. And, according to Dougherty, the player most likely to be a surprise this year is Manger, because he has had a huge summer and has worked really hard in the off-season.

Dougherty commented that their “season ended too soon last year.” New Bremen was ousted in a Sectional Final loss to St. Henry 61-38. In addition to ball handling skills and shot selection issues,

one of the challenges to going further is that there isn’t a lot of depth at the Guard position, and Dougherty will be looking to add greater depth there.

Dougherty’s coaching staff includes, Dane cook, Craig Griesdorn, and Rob Sniegowski.

Top teams in the MAC will be Versailles, St. Henry, Delphos-St. Johns, and Fort Recovery.

Continued on page 15

continued from page 13

“Megan will be our backup point guard and she’s a great outside shooter,” said Siegel.

“Julie is coming back from an ACL injury and we hope she can carry over her success on the volleyball court.”

Sophomore Hallie Benanzer also figures to see playing time as well this season.

“Hallie got thrown into the fire when we had all of the injuries last year and we liked what we saw from her,” said Siegel. “She gained some experience there and played with the varsity players this summer.”

“We always pride ourselves on defense and I think that will be one of our strengths this year along with experience,” said the coach. “Those two things combined along with our speed will allow us to push it the intensity a little further than we did last year.”

Loramie will play seven Midwest Athletic Conference schools this season in Fort Recovery, Marion Local, Minster, New Bremen, New Knoxville, St. Henry and Versailles along with Lehman and Miami

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

FORT LORAMIE senior girls basketball players are (l-r) Paige Ordean, Reggi Brandewie and Amanda Holdheide spect for Christie DoEast. New to the sched- tract to make room for cleus coming back. Rusthat,” said Siegel. “Most dane, their head coach.” sia made the regionals ule, though, is a As far as the league schools want two-year matchup at Mechanicslast season and they goes, Siegel feels Anna is have a lot coming back deals, but Mechanicsburg in January. the team to beat. burg agreed to it. We “We’re playing in the as well. I imagine the “Anna has won the played them in the secClassic in the Country three of us will be battional finals last season league the last two years tling for the title.” next year, so we had a need for a one-year con- and I have a lot of reand they have a good nu-

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 15

New Bremen

continued from page 14

So what attitude should the New Bremen boys bring to their game? Dougherty says come “prepared to play for each other…playing for the end of the year…play your best.”

Girls Basketball This is Coach Chris Burden’s first year as head coach of the New Bremen varsity girls basketball team. He is replacing Randy Eckert who had stepped down. Burden had spent the past two years as head coach at Indian Lake but is a native of New Bremen. He sees the job as a great opportunity to spend more time with his young family, which includes a six-year-old daughter, and a three-year-old son. “Coaching is very time consuming,” Burden said. “It’s good to be back home, spending time with family.”

Burden said of his new squad that “Our success will depend on how confident we are and how we will compete this year. We had a great summer adjusting to change in coaches and are ready to take the next step.”

In fact, Burden says of his girls that he stresses, “believing in themselves.” He wants them to “come into practice, work hard, and get better. We can play. We can win. We can compete.” He also said that his team needs to “Want to get better.”

The good thing, according to Burden, is that they have “experience playing at the varsity level. We will have a lot of experience returning this upcoming season.”

Returning letter winners from last season are: seniors, Haley Moeller at Guard/Forward, Kyla Otting at Guard, Hannah Holdren at Guard/Forward, Meagan Brandt at Guard, and Amber Paul also at Guard. Then there are juniors, Karli Jones at Guard/Forward, and Melissa Thieman at Forward.

Top newcomers will be seniors, Samantha Luedeke at the Guard position and Lauren Bertke at Forward. Also up and coming this year are two juniors, Kim Brown at Center and Janelle Elking at Forward.

Burden said that some areas that need attention for growth would be ball handling. As an answer, he has some drills planned and he hopes the result will be that ball handling will actually become one of their strengths. An extra challenge for the squad will be adjusting to a new coach and a different system. However, Burden said, “We had a great summer adjusting to change in coaches and are ready to take the next step.”

Speed will be another important factor for success, according to Burden. He said that they need to “get down the floor as fast as we can. Last year, we had trouble scoring.” Burden plans on his girls playing man-to-man and playing physical ball. A positive is that the New Bremen varsity girls didn’t lose any seniors.

Last year, the New Bremen girls went 7-14 overall, and 1-8 in the MAC. Haley Moeller was 2nd Team All MAC, Kyla Otting was also 2nd Team All MAC, and Hannah Holdren received Honorable Mention All MAC. As far as the prospects for this year, Burden said “The outlook will be a tough one again in the MAC. There are many teams that can vie for the conference title. You will have to come ready to play each and every night.”

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

NEW BREMEN senior girls basketball players are (l-r) Meagan Brandt, Amber Paul, Haley Moeller, Hannah Holdren, Sam Luedeke, Lauren Bertke and Kyla Otting.

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

NEW BREMEN boys swim team.

qualifiers last year, including Lexi Richater and Christi Wisvari.

When it came to the boys on the New Bremen swim team, Ritter had this to say: “I look for the boys swim to be strong this year, even though we are down in numbers. There are eight members on the swim team and six of them are returning lettermen. One of them is a returning swimmer and one is a newcomer freshman. This makes the leadership and experience of our swimmers an important part of this team. Not only am I looking to the three seniors to stand out, I am expecting the underclassmen, including the one freshman on the team, to step up and be standouts on the team. The experience is there, now all they have to do is take advantage of the opportunities given to them. Since we are low on the number of swimmers on the team this year, I feel that we are going to have to take advantage of every scoring situation we have. In the past, we Cresta Ritter, New Bremen swim coach, wants were able to put swimmers in just every event and her team to know that they “need to give their all, for the most part those swimmers would score. We all the time.” She doesn’t want them to go into the are not going to be able to have that luxury this season thinking they can’t compete. She wants year, so when we have swimmers in an event, they them to truly believe that they can indeed be comare going to have to swim their best and try their petitive, even if they are playing against bigger hardest to put themselves in a scoring position so schools. that we can compete with the other schools at the Ritter explained that the bigger schools have meets. My goal for this boys team this year is to more opportunity to practice and develop and so it’s qualify at least one of the relays and hopefully some more difficult for New Bremen to stay competitive individuals to the district competition at Bowling in their arena, or to go on to the state level. But she Green State University in February.” wants them to believe they can compete anyway.

And then, for the girls, “this year, seven of the 15 However, when it comes to the smaller schools with members on the team are returning lettermen who similar practice schedules like New Bremen, Ritter will bring strength, talent and experience to the says that they always do well. Despite the chalteam.

These seven returning letter-winners are lenges though, New Bremen still had four district

Swimming/Diving

NEW BREMEN girls swim team. ready to accept the challenge to step up their swimming and take as many points as possible in a meet.

I am not only excited about the talent that is returning to the swim team this year, but I am also excited about the talent the underclassmen and first year swimmers bring to the team. Of the other eight members on the team, seven of them are returning, non-letter winners, or freshmen that have swam for the summer program for many years and have the talent and experiences this team needs to produce results. I feel that this year’s team can be very competitive and I am looking for good things from this group of girls. They are hard workers and that will show in the end. My goal for this team is the same as our boys’ team: to qualify at least one of the relays and hopefully some individuals to the district competition at Bowling Green State University in February.”

Last year, the New Bremen girls finished 31/38, and the boys finished 27/40.

Returning letter winners for the boys include sophomore, Sam Wisvari, juniors, Drew McClurg and Morgen Parlett, and the seniors, Alex Feltz, Jacob Rutschilling, and David Zirkle. Returning letter winners for the girls are sophomores Stephanie Brandt, Veronica Hirschfeld, and Kaylie Squires, junior, Mackenzie Howell, and seniors, Natalie Heitkamp, Jill McClurg, and Kristen Sprague.

Top newcomers for the boys are freshman, Vince Wilson, and sophomore, Kyle Swiger. And then, top newcomers for the girls are freshmen, Aly Elking, Paige Kuck, and Julia Niekamp.

Christian Academy coach emphasizes academics

BY FRED HERRON John Spencer, second year coach of the Sidney Christian Academy’s varsity boys basketball team, said that he emphasizes academics above all else.

“Academics first. Also the well being of the players.

The players need emotional balance, handling the wins and the losses in the same way.”

The reason for the academic focus is that Christian Academy requires a higher grade level from students in order to compete in athletic events.

Because of that, the players cannot relax their studies in order to play sports, or for any other reason.

As far as basketball goes, Spencer said that his squad “is moving in the right direction again.” His team had gone on to win

four games last year from zero wins the year before, to finish 4-15 overall, and they also garnered a league record of 1-5.

“The Eagles are returning three of the five starters from last year,” Spencer noted. This in-

cludes the “team’s second leading scorer Derek Spencer.” Spencer also commented, “big men Isaac Abbott and Aaron Amsden will be counted on a lot for rebounding, shot blocking and scoring.

Their experience from last

year has given them Kindig and Nick Gibson plenty of optimism about are all coming back again this season. Second year point guard Derek Spencer will be asked to control the tempo and pull the trigger a little more on the long ball.”

Andrew Ditmer, John

this year. Spencer said, Continued on page 18

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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 16

SIDNEY

Boys Basketball December 1…………...........………at Beavercreek 4………………………………....Wayne 7………………………..West Carrollton 11…………………………at Springboro 14…………………………..at Trotwood 18………………………at Bellefontaine 21……………………………….at Piqua 28………………………...at Tippecanoe 29………………………….at Tecumseh January 4………………………………. at Butler 8……………………………………Troy 11………………………….at Greenville 12………………………………..Stivers 18……………………………..Trotwood 19………………………………Lehman 25…………………………………Piqua 26…………………………..at St. Marys 29…………………………..Wapakoneta February 1…………………………………..Butler 8…………………………………at Troy 12………………………………..Urbana 15…………………………….Greenville Girls Basketball November 23……………………………...at Russia 24………………………………Lehman 28…………………………..Beavercreek December 5………………………………at Wayne 8……………………………..at Houston 10……………………………..at Urbana 12……………………at West Carrollton 17…………………………….Tecumseh 19……………………………Springboro 22……………………………..Trotwood 29……………………………..St. Marys January 5…………………………………..Piqua 9………………………………..at Butler 14……………………………..St. Henry 16………………………………..at Troy 19…………………………….Greenville 23…………………………..at Trotwood 30……………………………….at Piqua February 2…………………………………..Butler 4……………………………...at Botkins 6……………………………………Troy 9…………………………...at Greenville Wrestling December 1…………………..Sidney Duals (SMS) 6………………at Butler, Stebbins, Tipp 15…………..at Pickerington Invitational 20….Indian Lake, K. Ridge, Troy (SHS) 28, 29………..at Wright State GMVWA January 5……………………at Beavercreek Inv. 8….at Greenville, Northridge, Trotwood 18, 19………at Alliance (Top Gun Inv.) 24………………………….Piqua (SHS) February 1, 2……………………at Butler GWOC 7…...Northmont, West Carrollton, Xenia (SHS) Boys/Girls Swimming December 8…………………………………...Alter 9………………………………..Tri-meet 15………………………………..Urbana January 5…………………………….Sidney Inv. 6…………………………..Bellefontaine 12……………………………...Fairmont 19, 20……………..At Trotwood/Classic 26, 27……………………..GWOC/TBA February 2………………………………….Celina 8 (Boys)………....at Trotwood/Sectional 9 (Girls)…...at Washington TWP Rec Center/Sectional 15 (Boys)...at Miami University/Districts 16 (Girls)…….at Miami Univ./Sectional Bowling November 30………………………at Bellefontaine December 3…………………………at Beavercreek 8 (Girls)…………...at GWOC/Preseason 9(Boys)…………...at GWOC/Preseason 13………………………………..at Troy 14…………………………..Miamisburg 15………..at Team USA Bowl. Tourney 17…………………………Bellefontaine 21…………………………………Piqua January 2…………………………………..Butler 4………………………..West Carrollton 5…………………….at Buckeye Classic 7……………………………at Trotwood 11……..at Bearcast High School Classic 16…………………………………..Troy 18…………………………….Greenville 25……………………………….at Piqua 29………………………………at Butler February 1………………………………Trotwood 5…………………………...at Greenville 9 (Boys)………….at GWOC Postseason 10 (Girls)………...at GWOC Postseason

LEHMAN

Boys Basketball November 21…………………………...at Fairlawn 23…………………….Tri scrimage Meet 30……………………………….Minster December 1…………………………..at Ridgemont 8……………………………...at Newton 14…………………….at Jackson Center 15…………………………..at Riverside 21……………………………..Versailles 22………………………...at Miami East 28, 29………….at Piqua/Holiday Tourn.

January 4………………………Franklin Monroe 5……………………….Catholic Central 11………………………...at Ft. Loramie 12…………………..at Temple Christian 19……………………………...at Sidney 22…………………Waynesfield-Goshen 26………………………………Houston February 1………………………at Troy Christian 8…………………………………...Anna 9………………………………….Bethel 12…………………………..Tri-Village 15……………….at Upper Scioto Valley 19………………….St. Marys Memorial Girls Basketball November 23……………………………..Riverside 24……………………………...at Sidney 29……………………………at Houston December 1……………………….at Minster H.S. 8……………………………….Fairlawn 11…………………………Marion Local

15………………………...St Henry H.S. 18…………at Upper Scioto Valley M.S. 22………………………Ridgemont H.S. 28. 29..at Piqua Schools/WPTW Holiday Tour.

January 3……………………………..Ft Loramie 5…………………...St. Marys Memorial 12……………………..at Versailles H.S. 15……………...at Catholic Central H.S. 17………………….Jackson Center H.S. 19…………………………….Anna H.S. 26……………………New Bremen H.S. 31………………..at Troy Christian H.S. February 2….at New Knoxville H.S./Varsity Only 5………………………Tri-Village H.S. 9……………………….at Bradford H.S. Swimming/Diving December 1……....at Lima Central Catholic School 8………………………..at Greenon H.S. 9……………………………….at Sidney 22………..at St. Joseph Central Catholic January 5………………………..Urbana & Elida 11….Franklin, Miami East, Ft. Recovery 19…at Miami Univ./SW District Classic 25………………………..Dixie, Minster February 3..at Butler H.S./Trimeet @ Wright State 8(Boys)……..at Trotwood/Madison H.S. 9 (Girls)…….at Trotwood/Madison H.S. 15 (Boys)………at Miami Univ./District 16 (Girls)……....at Miami Univ./District Wrestling December 8………………………...at Lincolnview 15…………………………..at Versailles 22………at Catholic Central-Springfield 29……………..at Lima Central Catholic January 5……………………………at Plymouth 12………………….at Tri-County North 17……………….at National Trail/Quad 19……………………………….at Triad 21………………..at St. Charles Catholic 24……………………………...Tri-Meet February 9…………………………...at Covington

28………………………….at Covington 31……………………………at Houston February 2………………………Franklin Monroe 5…………………………………...Anna

NEW KNOXVILLE

Boys Basketball November 30…………………………..Ft. Loramie December 7………………………...at Waynesfield 8……………………………….…..Anna 14……………………………..Versailles 21…………………………...at Shawnee 22…………………………………...Ada 28…………………………..at St. Marys 29………………………….Spencerville January 4………………………………St. Henry 5……………………………...at Botkins 11………………………at Marion Local 12…………………….at Jackson Center 15…………………………..Wapakoneta 18…………………….Delphos St. Johns 25………………………at New Bremen 26…………………………..Ft. Jennings February 1………………………………..Parkway 2……………………at Temple Christian 8………………………...at Ft. Recovery 15…………………………….Coldwater 16………………………….at Crestview 22…………………………….at Minster Girls Basketball November 23, 24..at Bath/Kewpee Tip Off Tourney 27………………………..At Ft. Loramie December 6………………………………...Minster 11…………………………Upper Scioto 13………………………….at Versailles 18………………………At Spencerville 22………………………………..Russia 29……………………………….Botkins January 3……………………………at St. Henry 8………………………...at Waynesfield 10…………………………Marion Local 17………………….at Delphos St. Johns CHRISTIAN 19……………………….Jackson Center 22…………………………..Wapakoneta ACADEMY Boys Basketball 24…………………………New Bremen November 26…………………………..at St. Marys 30………………………..at Ohio Eagles 31……………………………at Parkway December February 7…..…………………….Dayton Temple 2………………………………..Lehman 8……………………………East Dayton 5……………………………..at Houston 14…………………….Milford Christian 7…………………………...Ft. Recovery 15…………………………..Ohio Eagles 14………………………….at Coldwater 20…………………..Xenia Bible Baptist January RIVERSIDE 4………………...at Miami Valley Saints Boys Basketball 5………………….Springfield Cavaliers December 11………………………..at East Dayton 1………………………………...Botkins 12…………………....at Xenia Christian 3………………………...Tip Off Classic 18………………………..Seton Catholic 8……………………...at Jackson Center 19…………………………Botkins CYO 14…………………………..at Fairbanks 22…………………..Xenia Bible Baptist 15……………………………....Lehman 25…………………………...Grand Lake 21…………………Waynesfield-Goshen 29…………………………Botkins CYO 22……………………………….Botkins February 28, 29………...Bradford Holiday Tourn.

1….……………….Miami Valley Saints January 2……………………….at Spring Valley 4…………………………..at Ridgemont 5………………………….Spring Valley 5…………………………..at Northridge 8……………………...at Dayton Temple 8…………………………at Indian Lake 9……Prospective OCSAA 1st Rnd TBA 11……………………...Marion Catholic 12…………at Horizon Science (Dayton) 12………………………………Ansonia 14………………………...at Grand Lake 15………………………………….Triad 13……...Winter Sports Awards Banquet 18………………….Upper Scioto Valley Girls Basketball 19……………………………...Fairlawn November 22…………………..West Liberty Salem 30………………………..at Ohio Eagles 25…………………..at Temple Christian December February 7………………………...Dayton Temple 1………………………………...at Perry 10……………….at Dominion Academy 9………………………………..Houston 14…………………….Milford Christian 15…………………..at Dayton Christian 15…………………………..Ohio Eagles Girls Basketball January November 4………………...at Miami Valley Saints 23…………………………….at Lehman 8…………………………Troy Christian 29…………………..West Liberty Salem 12……………………at Xenia Christian December 18………………………..Seton Catholic 1……………………………...at Botkins 19…………………………Botkins CYO 6………………………………Fairbanks 25…………………………...Grand Lake 8………………………...Jackson Center 29…………………………Botkins CYO 11…………………………...at Fairlawn February 13………………at Waynesfield-Goshen 1…………………..Miami Valley Saints 18……………………...Benjamin Logan 2……………………….at Spring Valley 20……………………...Catholic Central 5………………………….Spring Valley 28, 29………...Bradford Holiday Tourn.

8……………………...at Dayton Temple January 9……Prospective OCSAA 1st Rnd TBA 3……………………………..Ridgemont 12…………at Horizon Science (Dayton) 7………….at Northwestern (Spring14………………………...at Grand Lake field) March 10…………………...at Marion Catholic 4.………Winter Sports Awards Banquet 14………………………………….Triad 17……………….at Upper Scioto Valley 24…………………………Bellefontaine Russia 26……………………………...at Bethel Boys Basketball 28…………………………..Indian Lake December 31………………………………….Perry 1………………………………St. Henry February 4……………………………...at Botkins 2………………………………..Houston 7………………………...Jackson Center 7………………………...at Northeastern 8……………………………...at Minster 11……………………………….at Anna 14…………………………...Ft. Loramie MINSTER 18………………………………Houston Boys Basketball 21…………………………...at Fairlawn November 27………..at Buckeye Ins. Cassic(Piqua) 30…………………………….at Lehman January December 5………………………………..Ansonia 1……………………………Spencerville 11……………………………….Botkins 8………………………………….Russia 12…………………...at Catholic Central 14…………………………..at St. Henry 18…………………….at Jackson Center 15…………………………….at Botkins 19………………………at New Bremen 22………………………………….Anna 22………………………………….Anna 28…………………………....at Houston 25………………………...at Ft. Loramie January 26…………………………..at Versailles 4…………………………..Marion Local February 5…………………………….at Ottoville 1……………………………….Fairlawn 11…………………………...at St. Johns 8……………………………..at Houston 12…………………………...Ft. Loramie 12………………………...Newton Local 18…………………………New Bremen 16…………………………Marion Local 19……………....at Mississinawa Valley Girls Basketball 25……………………………at Parkway 26…………………………..Wapakoneta November February 23………………………………..Sidney 24…………………Mississinawa Valley 1…………………………...Ft. Recovery 27…………………………….at Botkins 2………………………...Jackson Center 8…………………………...at Coldwater December 9………………...at St. Marys Memorial 1………………………...Jackson Center 15……………………………..Versailles 6………………………………...at Anna 16………………………………..at Troy 8…………………………..Marion Local 22……………………….New Knoxville 13…………………………...Ft. Loramie Girls Basketball November 15…………………………...at Fairlawn 20………………………………Houston 24…………………….at Jackson Center 22……………………….New Knoxville 27…………………Mississinawa Valley December 27...at Buckeye Ins. Gr. Holiday Classic (Piqua) 1………………………………..Lehman January 6………….at new Knoxville (Var. only) 8……………………...at Jackson Center 8…………………………………at Troy 12…………………………….at Minster 13……………………………..St. Henry 17………………………...at Ft. Loramie 20………………………….at Versailles 19…………………………..at Versailles 22………………………..at Ft. Loramie 21……………………………….Botkins 26, 27…………………...at Elida Tourn.

24……………………………...Fairlawn 29………………………………...Kalida January

3………………………..at Marion Local 5………………………………….Celina 10……………………………...St. Johns 12………………………………...Russia 17……………………....at New Bremen 19…………………………...at Ottoville 24……………………………....Parkway 31……………………….at Ft. Recovery February 7……………………………...Coldwater 9…………………………………...Anna 12…………………………..Wapakoneta Swimming November 30………………...at Troy Christian Inv. December 1……………………at Van Wert Relays 8…at Ft. Recovery/N. Bremen/St. Marys 11……………...at Bellefontaine/Botkins 15…………………….Home Meet/TBD 29…………………at Lima Holiday Inv. January 12…………...at Wapakoneta/Celina Inv. 25……………at Dixie/Lehman Catholic 26………….Marion Local/New Bremen 30………….at Elida/Lima Sr./St. Henry February 2……………………....at Coldwater Inv.

VERSAILLES

Boys Basketball December 1……………………………….at Celina 7…………………………..New Bremen 8……………………………...Covington 14…………………….at New Knoxville 21…………………………….at Lehman 28, 29…………………...Holiday Tourn.

January 4………………………………..Parkway 5………………………….at Ft. Loramie 11…………………………..at St. Henry 12………………....Mississinawa Valley 18………………………….Ft. Recovery 19………………………...at Tippecanoe 25………………………at Marion Local 26………………………………...Russia February 1……………………………...Coldwater 2………………………Franklin Monroe 8……………………………….St. Johns 9……………………………..at Ansonia 15…………………………….at Minster 16………………………….at Greenville Girls Basketball November 23, 24.…………………………at Celina 29………………………...at Tippecanoe December 1…………………………...at Covington 6………………………..at New Bremen 8……………………………….Arcanum 11…………………..at Franklin Monroe 13……………………….New Knoxville 18…………………………………..Bath 20…………………………….....Minster 29………………………...at Ft. Loramie January 3……………………………..at Parkway 10……………………………..St. Henry 12……………………………....Lehman 17……………………….at Ft. Recovery 19………………………………...Russia 24…………………………Marion Local 26…………………………….Greenville 31………………………….at Coldwater February 2…………………………….Miami East 7………………………….....at St. Johns 9……………………...at Jackson Center Wrestling December 1………………....at Sidney Dual Tourn.

11……………………..Indian Lake Dual 15………………………..Versailles Inv. 28-30……...at GMVWA Holiday Tourn.

January 3……………………………...Greenville 10………………………...at Brookville 11…...Tri Meet with Bluffton/Allen East 18……………………....at Bellefontaine 23…………………….State Dual Tourn.

26……..at Upper Arlington/Beavercreek 30…………………….State Dual Tourn.

February 2…………….at Delphos/MAC Tri Meet 5…………………………...at Covington 6……………………...State Dual Tourn.

9……………………...State Dual Tourn.

15, 16……………...at Lehman/Sectional 22, 23……………..at Kettering/Districts 28, 3/1……………....at Ohio State/State Swimming December 1………………..at Van Wert/Relay Inv. 8……………...at Tipp City/Beavercreek 15..At Wright State/Vandalia Butler Inv. 18……………....at Van Wert/Coldwater 22……………………………...at Celina 28...at Greenville/Ft. Recovery/St. Henry 29………………....at Lima Holiday Inv. January 12……....at Wright State/Dayton Carroll 19, 20…….at Miami Univ./SW Dist Classic (Optional) February 2…………….at Coldwater Cavalier Inv. 20-22……..at Canton Branin Natatorium/State

14…………………….Delphos St. Johns Swimming January 12…………at Celina/Celina Wapak Inv.

HOUSTON

Boys Basketball November 30…………………….at Jackson Center December 1………………………………...Newton 7…………………………………...Anna 8……………………at Franklin Monroe 11………………………at Fort Loramie 14……………………………...Fairlawn 18……………………………...at Russia 28……………………………….Minster 29……………………………at Ansonia January 4………………………………...Botkins 5…………………..Mississinawa Valley 11……………………….Jackson Center 12……………………………...Bradford 18……………………………….at Anna 19…………………………….Covington 22…………………………Fort Loramie 25…………………………...at Fairlawn 26…………………………….at Lehman February 2…………………………Troy Christian 8………………………………….Russia 9……………………………at Riverside 15…………………………….at Botkins Girls Basketball November 23…………………………at Covington 27…………………….at Jackson Center 29………………………………Lehman December 1…………………………………...Anna 4…………………………..at Tri-Village 6………………………..at Fort Loramie 8…………………………………Sidney 13……………………………...Fairlawn 20……………………………...at Russia 27……………………………….Botkins 29…………………………New Bremen January 3………………………...Jackson Center 5…………………………….at Bradford 8………………………………...at Anna 12…………………………Fort Loramie 17…………………………...at Fairlawn 19……………………………….Newton 24………………at Mississinawa Valley 31………………………………...Russia February 2……………………………at Riverside 5………………………...New Knoxville 7……………………………...at Botkins

BOTKINS

Boys Basketball November 30, 12/1……………..at Benjamin Logan December 4………………………………….Russia 7……………………………..Ridgemont 11…………………….at Jackson Center 14………………………………….Anna 15……………………………….Minster 21………………………...at Ft. Loramie 22…………………………..at Riverside

24………………………………….Anna 31………………………...at Ft. Loramie February 2…………………………………...Perry 7……………………………….Fairlawn 9………………………………Versailles

FT. LORAMIE

Boys Basketball November 30…………………….at New Knoxville December 1………………………………..Ansonia 7…………………………….at Fairlawn 11……………………………....Houston 14……………………………...at Russia 21…………………………….....Botkins 22……………………………..St. Henry 28…………………….at Jackson Center 29………………………at New Bremen January 4…………………………………...Anna 5………………………………Versailles 11………………………………Lehman 12…………………………….at Minster 18……………………………...Fairlawn 22……………………………at Houston 25………………………………...Russia 26………………………….Ft. Recovery February 1……………………………...at Botkins 2………………………..at Marion Local 8………………………...Jackson Center 9………………………at Jefferson Twp. 15……………………………….at Anna Girls Basketball November 24………………………at Marion Local 27……………………….New Knoxville December 1…………………………….at Fairlawn 6………………………………..Houston 8………………………….at Miami East 13……………………………...at Russia 15……………………………….Botkins 20…………………….at Jackson Center 22……………………………….Minster 27………………………………….Anna 29……………………………..Versailles January 3……………………………...at Lehman 5…………………………..New Bremen 8……………………...at Mechanicsburg 10……………………………...Fairlawn 12……………………………at Houston 15……………………….at Ft. Recovery 17………………………………...Russia 24…………………………….at Botkins 31……………………….Jackson Center February 7………………………………...at Anna 9………………………………St. Henry

ANNA

Boys Basketball November 30……………………………...Fairlawn December 7……………………………..at Houston 8……………………...at New Knoxville 11………………………………...Russia 14…………………………….at Botkins 15…………………………New Bremen 21……………………….Jackson Center 22…………………………….at Minster 28, 29……..at Versailles/Holiday Tourn.

January 4………………………….at Ft. Loramie 5…………………………..Marion Local 11…………………………...at Fairlawn 12…………………………...at St. Henry 18……………………………....Houston 22……………………………...at Russia 25……………………………….Botkins February 1……………………...at Jackson Center 2…………………...West Liberty-Salem 8……………………………...at Lehman 9……………………………...Covington 15…………………………...Ft. Loramie Girls Basketball 24…………………………New Bremen 27…………………………...at Fairlawn December 1……………………………..at Houston 4………………………………....at Bath 6………………………………….Russia 13…………………………….at Botkins 15……………………….Jackson Center 22…………………………...Miami East 27………………………...at Ft. Loramie 29………………………...Graham Local January 5…………………………..Marion Local 8………………………………..Houston 14……………………………...Fairlawn 17……………………………….Botkins 19…………………………….at Lehman 21……………………………..at Carroll 24…………………….at Jackson Center 26……………………at Madison Senior 31………………………...at Tippecanoe February 5……………………………….at Russia 7…………………………….Ft. Loramie 9……………………………...at Minster

January 4……………………………..at Houston 5………………………...New Knoxville 11……………………………...at Russia 12……………………………at Parkway 15……………………………...Fairlawn 22……………………….Jackson Center 25……………………………….at Anna February 1………………………….....Ft. Loramie 2………………………..at New Bremen 8…………………………….at Fairlawn 9…………………..Waynesfield-Goshen 15………………………………Houston 16……………………………….at Perry Girls Basketball November 24………………………………Parkway 27………………………………...Russia 29…………………………..Indian Lake December 1………………………………Riverside 6……………………...at Jackson Center 10……………………....at New Bremen 13………………………………….Anna 15………………………...at Ft. Loramie 17…………………Waynesfield-Goshen 20……………………………...Fairlawn 27……………………………at Houston 29…………………….at New Knoxville January 3…………………………at Spencerville 12……………………….Jackson Center 14………………………at Bellefontaine 17……………………………….at Anna 19…………………………at Ridgemont 21……………………………...at Russia 24…………………………...Ft. Loramie 31…………………………...at Fairlawn February 4…………………………………Sidney 7………………………………..Houston Swimming/Diving December FAIRLAWN 9……………………………….at Sidney NEW BREMEN Boys Basketball 11………………………at Bellefontaine Boys Basketball November November 29………………….at Bellefontaine Inv. 30……………………………….at Anna January 30…………………………….Allen East December December 19, 20…………at SW Classic/Trotwood 4…………………………………...Triad February 1………………………....Troy Christian 7……………………………at Versailles 2………….…………….at Lima YMCA 7…………………………….Ft. Loramie 14……………………………at Houston 14………………………………Parkway JACKSON CENTER 15…………………………….at Newton 15……………………………….at Anna Boys Basketball 18……………………………Ridgemont 21……………….at St. Marys Memorial 21………………………………...Russia November 22……………..at Lima Central Catholic 30………………………………Houston 22…………………………...at Bradford 28………………………..at Indian Lake December 28, 29………at Parkway/Holiday Tourn.

29…………………………...Ft. Loramie 4……………………………Indian Lake January January 4………………………...at Ft. Recovery 7……………………………….at Russia 4………………………...Jackson Center 11…………………………….Coldwater 8………………………………Riverside 11………………………………….Anna 12………………………….at Covington 11……………………………….Botkins 15…………………………….at Botkins 18…………………………….at Minster 14………………………………Lehman 18………………………..at Ft. Loramie 19………………………………...Russia 21……………………………….at Anna 19…………………………..at Riverside 25……………………….New Knoxville 28…………………………...Ft. Loramie 25………………………………Houston January 26………………………...at Miami East 26………………………..Jackson center 4…………………………….at Fairlawn February February 1……………………………at St. Henry 5………………at Waynesfield-Goshen 1……………………………….at Russia 2………………………………...Botkins 11……………………………at Houston 2…………………..Waynesfield-Goshen 8…………………………..Marion Local 12……………………….New Knoxville 8………………………………...Botkins 9………………………………….Celina 18………………………………...Russia 12……………………….Mechanicsburg 15………………….at Delphos St. Johns 22…………………………….at Botkins 15…………………….at Jackson Center Girls Basketball 16………………………..at Spencerville 26……………………....at New Bremen 29…………………………Marion Local November February 13………………………………..Urbana Girls Basketball 1…………………………………...Anna 24…………………………….Covington November 23………………………..at Indian Lake 2……………………………...at Minster 27………………………………….Anna December 24……………………………….at Anna 8………………………….at Ft. Loramie 29………………………..Troy Christian 9……………………at Temple Christian 1…………………………….Ft. Loramie 8……………………………...at Lehman 15……………………………...Fairlawn December 11……………………………..Riverside Girls Basketball 1………………………………….Celina 13……………………………at Houston November 6………………………………Versailles 15………………………………...Russia 10……………………………….Botkins 24……………………………….Minster 20…………………………….at Botkins 13……………………………at Parkway 27………………………………Houston 27……………………….Jackson Center December 15………………….at Delphos Jefferson 28, 29………at Parkway/Holiday Tourn.

18………………….....at Jackson Center 1……………………………….at Russia January 22………………………...at Tri Village 6………………………………...Botkins 5………………………………...Newton 29…………………………....at Houston 8……………………………at Riverside 10………………………...at Ft. Loramie 13………………………..at Indian Lake January 14……………………………….at Anna 3…………………………...Ft. Recovery 15……………………………….at Anna 17………………………………Houston 5………………………….at Ft. Loramie 18…………………………New Bremen 19……………………………at Ansonia 10………………………….at Coldwater 20…………………………...Ft. Loramie 24……………………………...at Russia 12………………….St. Marys Memorial 27…………………………...at Fairlawn 29…………………….at Mechanicsburg January 17……………………………….Minster 31……………………………….Botkins 24…………………….at New Knoxville 3……………………………..at Houston February 5……………………………...Covington 26…………………………….at Lehman 2……………………………….Bradford 8………………………………….Russia 31……………………………..St. Henry 4………………..at Waynesfield-Goshen 12…………………………….at Botkins 7……………………...at Jackson Center February 15………………at Waynesfield-Goshen 5……………………………Spencerville 7………………………..at Marion Local 17…………………………….at Lehman 19…………………….at New Knoxville

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 17

Lehman starting season on a successful note

BY ROB KISER rkiser@dailycall.com SIDNEY — This season is already a success for the Lehman boys basketball team.

The number 4 uniform is being filled once again by Connor Richard, who was seriously injured in a car accident last season and was told at the time he might not play again.

“It is just great to see him out here, let alone playing basketball,” Lehman coach Isaiah Williams said.

“It is amazing how far he has come. It is definitely a motivator for the other kids, because they know what he has been through.”

In fact, the 5-foot-9 senior guard who is always a threat from 3-point range, has come back so far he is currently in the starting lineup.

“Right now, he is 100 percent,” Williams said. “I think he is just going to get better. He is getting better every day in practice. It is amazing where he is at.”

The Lehman starting lineup will include sophomores Jackson Frantz (6-2) and Greg Spearman (6-1); 5-11 junior Drew Westerheide, 6-4 junior James Rego and Richard.

“Those are the five guys we are going with right now,” Williams said. “But, we don’t have a set lineup.”

The remaining seniors include 6-5 post Michael Jacob, 6-0 guard Tharron Goins and 6-1 guard Dylan Long; the juniors off the bench are 6-0 John Husa, 6-2 Josh Smith, 6-7 Nathan Hall and 5-8 Seth Bensman; and rounding the roster is 6-1 sophomore Nick Rourke.

“The thing is we have a lot of varsity experience,” Williams said. “We have a lot of guys returning who have played.”

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG But, the Cavaliers did lose much of their offense, including the dynamic duo of Alex Baker and LEHMAN SENIOR boys basketball players are (l-r) Connor Richard, Tharon Goins, Michael Jacob and Dylan Solomon King-White, who combined for almost 50 Long. points a game last year.

“We lost a lot of our scoring,” Williams said. “I expect us to be a very balanced team last year.”

Along with that, King-White was the floor leader and it was not unusual for him to record triple-doubles.

“We are going to do point guard by committee,” Williams said. “I think we have a lot of good athletes.”

Lehman will still be an uptempo team.

“We are going to get up and down the floor,” Williams said. “I think we have pretty good depth.”

And once again, pressure defense will be a big part of that.

“We will play defense all the way to the bus in the parking lot after the game,” Williams said with a smile.

While the Cavaliers don’t play in a league, they face a competitive schedule and again play in the B.I.G. Holiday Classic in Piqua.

“We like having the opportunity to play in that tournament,” Williams said. “We play whoever coach Roll (athletic director Richard Roll) puts on the schedule. I am sure it will be a strong schedule like it always is.”

Next year, Lehman will become a member of the league the football team played in this year.

“We will be an associate member,” Williams said.

“We will be eligible for all-league awards and things like that. The kids are excited about that.”

But, for now, the focus is already on the postseason.

“That’s what we are playing for,” Williams said. “We want to be the best team we can be in February and March.”

Most importantly, No. 4 will again be a big part of that.

Lehman Girls Basketball Lehman Catholic first-year girls basketball coach Kim Miller knows not being hired until the summer has put the program behind.

But, she sees progress from the Lady Cavaliers on a daily basis as they prepare for the season.

"We only had a couple open gyms in the summer because of my late hiring," she said. "But, we have already seen tremendous growth from this team. We made a lot of improvement from our first scrimmage and feel like we can have a lot of success."

Miller admits the first step will be increasing the numbers. Lehman has just 11 girls in the program this year.

"We are playing a varsity only schedule," she said.

"We have scheduled some other (JV) games for our girls to play."

Junior guard Julia Harrelson probably brings the most experience to a team that has no seniors.

She saw valuable playing time as a freshman, before starting last year.

The other juniors include Jenna Kronneberg and Jordi Emrick.

"We probably do (expect a lot from Julia Harrelson)," Miller said. "But really, we feel like all the juniors have given us great leadership. Jenna (Kronneberg) missed last season with an ACL injury."

The sophomores are Brooke Jones and Ava Schmitz.

"Brooke (Jones) and Ava (Schmitz) both saw a lot of playing time last year," Miller said. "Along with Julia, they are the girls that saw quite a bit of playing time."

Rounding out the roster are freshman Kendall Eck, Taylor Schmidt, Allie Hall, Emmalae Rego, Marianne Hissong and Cassie Lee. "With not having a JV team, they are all going to be able to get playing time," Miller said.

Miller said the Lady Cavaliers have not decided on their style of play just yet.

"We want to do something to play to our strengths," she said. "We have a lot of quick, athletic girls, so hopefully we can take advanatage of that to get some easy baskets."

As always, Lehman will play a very strong schedule.

"We do have a lot of tough teams on there," Miller said. "But, we feel like these girls are going to be ready for it and be very competitive. Next year, we will have a chance to compete for a league title and we are excited about that."

Right now, Miller just wants to grow the program.

"We want to continue to build the program and keep getting better," Miller said.

Something, she has already seen on a daily basis.

Lehman swimming and diving Lehman swimming and diving coach Scott Ellis is excited about the team he has this season.

Both the boys and girls will have ten swimmers.

“It has been about 10 years since we have had these kind of numbers for the boys,” Ellis said.

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

LEHMAN SENIOR girls basketball players are (l-r) Jordi Emrick, Jenna Kronenberger and Julia Harrelson.

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

LEHMAN BOYS and girls varsity swim teams.

“We are excited about that.”

Seniors Mitchell Bosse and Ethan Jock were district qualifiers for the boys a year ago.

Rounding out the roster are senior Nick Cummons, junior Rob Heckman, sophomores Travis Thornton, Dave Kruse and Kyle Caulfied and freshman Nathan Bosway, John Myer and Alex Wismann.

Seniors Lauren Bosway, Stephanie Ulbrich and Sloane Glover were all district qualifiers for the girls last year.

Rounding out the roster are senior Haley Baker, juniors Lindsey Bundy, Katie Heckman and Elaina Schneider; sophomore Alex Schmitt; and freshman Caroline Heitmeyer and Cassidy Hemm.

“I am excited about our schedule,” Ellis said. “We have a really tough December schedule, which will prepare us for the Classic, the largest high school swim meet in the country. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Wrestling Lehman has nine wrestlers out.

They include Joseph Simpson (126), Tyler Mentges (126), Mitchell Schlater (138), Ian Smith (145), Clayton Malone (152), Skylar Brown (160), Nate Vogann (170), Quinton Malone (195) and Allen Armstrong (285).

SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

LEHMAN SENIOR wrestler Quinton Malone.

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW • SIDNEY DAILY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2012 • PAGE 18

Christian Academy “All these guys know their roles and have improved over the last season. Andrew has played four years varsity basketball and we are expecting some quality play and minutes from (him).�

On top of this, the Christian Academy “Eagles have some exciting newcomers playing this year: Cody Meador’s will stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting and physical play. Nathan Brown’s ball handling and tenacious defense will help the Eagles on both ends of the floor. New transfer, Triston King, is an athlete who brings energy and fresh legs to a defense that desperately needed some relief last year.�

This year, Christian Academy has brought on Don Southam as an assistant coach for the team. Spencer said, “Don brings five years varsity girls experience and took the girls to the ACSI State Championship game in 2010, where they were runner-ups.� “The excitement is building and the guys have been working hard in the off-season,� Spencer said. “Expect to see the Eagles continually add to their win column and take the entire program, as well as the players, to a whole new level.�

As far as competing in a league this year, Spencer said, “Christian Academy has recently formed a league with Spring Valley Stallions, East Dayton Eagles and Dayton Temple Tigers. All of these teams are from the Dayton area and are strong every year; we know that the league play will be tough, as Spring Valley has dominated this young league with their size and experience. Dayton Temple will be another strong team, with Christian Academy and East Dayton all closing in on this very competitive league.�

Spencer said that he is developing his team and that they “look good for the next few years. This year we’re hoping to be above .500. We could make a run next year, but maybe even this year. We have a great core of guys to maybe get things done this year. You never know until you play the game.�

Spencer has run a motion offense in the past, but he is hoping to help his squad to learn more offensive styles. “I’m a defensive minded guy,� Spencer said. “We’ve always been good defensively.� So the agenda is to spread the floor and shoot both inside and outside. The previous year, they could only shoot inside, so this is an area of improvement for the team. With growth at the Point Guard position, developing the outside shooting game is a very real possibility.

Spencer is very exited about that, because, as he said, “Teams like to press you if they think they can stop the ball.�

A difficult loss for the team was David Wilcox who had the most rebounds in the area last year. He graduated and went on to Ohio Christian College in Columbus. “I’m hoping that Isaac (Abbott) will fill in for him.� Spencer said. “He’s grown from 6’3 to 6’5.�

This year’s go to guys will be Junior, Isaac Abbott, and sophomores, Nathan Brown and Derek Spencer.

The whole group of returning letter winners is Senior, Andrew Ditmer, Juniors Aaron Amsden and Isaac Abbott, and then sophomores, Craig Smith, Derek Spencer, John Kindig, and Nick Gibson.

In addition to Brown, top newcomers include Senior Cody Meadors and sophomore Triston King.

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SDN PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY senior boys basketball players are Cody Meadors (left) and Andrew Ditmer. scorer, sophomore Kayla Curlis, who is 5,2, to maybe do this for the team. “She’s got a great shot,� Heintz said. He also indicated that a couple of other sopho“I think that we’re going to have a big growing mores, returnees Makenzie Milks and Betsi Ford year with a fast learning curve,� said Coach D.J. could “give some consistency and offensive presence.�

Heintz, girl’s basketball coach at Christian Academy. Also returning this year is Makaley Brown. “It will be a lot of fun to watch.� “All three missed some time last year due to varyHeintz, who is also a High School math teacher at ing reasons,� explained Heintz. “Betsi is an athletic Christian Academy, is in his first year as coach for ball handler will play a key role in our offense. Kenthe girl’s basketball squad. He replaced former zie Milks is progressing very quickly and has a coach, Don Southam. Southam coached the girl’s chance to be a scorer for us. Makaley gives great efteam for four years and then retired, opening the fort on the court, but is relatively inexperienced. door for Heintz to step in.

Overall, the experience and athleticism of this sophoIn looking ahead to the upcoming season, Heintz more class will most likely determine the outcome of said that confidence would be one of his major emour season. Staying healthy and on the court is the phases. “Having the faith and the confidence to bekey to their success. Our only senior this year, lieve in themselves.�

That, and defense. “We will be a strong defensive Michaela Strelow is a first year player with some team this year,� Heintz said. “I want to emphasize height. Chasity Inman is playing again after taking that. We’re a little small, but we’re quick. I want to a year off. She is a determined player and can be a use that to our advantage. key defensive player for us. Storme Smith, another “We’re young,� Hentz had to say about offense. The sophomore, is also playing for us this year.� major focus there will be finding a consistent offenHeintz will be implementing a high-pressure desive threat; someone that can put up 10, 15, 20 points fense with full court press, and hopefully some quick a game. “Losing 1000 point scorer, and 4 year starter, buckets and transitions. He is going to start things Holly Spencer, and 4 year starter Lauren Jenkins off with strong man-to-man play. will create some big holes to fill,� explained Heintz.

Last years team went 9-7 for the season, and no Heintz will be looking to last year’s second leading doubt Heintz is looking to only grow from there.

Girls Basketball

T o w n

S p o r t s

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