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November 30, 2015

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All Press Boys’ Soccer TeamALAN MILLERJEWELERS

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High School Soccer Teams

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By J. Patrick EakenPress Sports Editorsports@presspublications.com

Three boys’ soccer teams made history this season — winning a league champion-ship and going where few teams had gone in their program’s history. Oak Harbor may be the most nota-ble, not only winning a Sandusky Bay Conference title, but reaching the Division II regional tournament with two wins over Northern Lakes League schools in the dis-trict. The season ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to Elida. The Rockets fi nished 16-4, and were led by junior forward Nate Poiry, who fi nished with 89 points, including 35 goals and 19 assists. He was not only the SBC Player of the Year, he is an Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press Co-POY.

In statements emailed to The Press about Poiry, Oak Harbor coach Ken Filar said, “Nate is not only a prolifi c goal scorer, but a great team player and led his team in assists. He is humble, unselfi sh and understands the importance of playing as a unit and gets the big picture. He’s also a high quality individual who displays great sportsmanship at all times and you’ll never see him taunting opponents or bang-ing his chest after goals. He’s very quick to defl ect the attention and he acknowledges his teammates when he’s interviewed and knows it takes 22 guys to move on in the tournament.

“He’s very fun to watch and enjoys the challenge of being man-marked or double teamed. He knows that means other play-ers will be open for goal scoring opportuni-ties,” Filar continued.

“The SBC coaches know Nate well enough that he’s not just someone we tar-get for goals and he’s not one dimension-al. Our league coaches are pretty intelligent and don’t just vote for who had the most goals. They know what kind of player he is.” The Rocket boys had all 11 starters receive all-league honors. First team selec-tions included Poiry, Draper, Damron, and Bowlick. Hall and Hess were named sec-ond team All-SBC. Eastwood’s soccer team had its best season in years, if not ever, says Coach Joe Montag, and that’s a long time. Eastwood started its’ varsity boys program in the early 1980s, well before other schools its size, and a club team dates back to the fall of 1975. This year, Eastwood fi nished 14-3-1, in-cluding an unbeaten 9-0-1 in the Northern Buckeye Conference. The season included a 13-game win streak, and the Eagles were led by All-Press Co-POY junior forward Jacob Montag, who fi nished with a school record 80 points, including 30 goals and 13 assists. The Eagles defeated Mansfi eld St. Peter’s 10-1 in the Division III sectional

Community sees three boys’ teams win league titles

Dakota Calkins Clay So F

Matt Bohland Clay Sr F

Rudy Cruz Eastwood Jr F

Mark Everhardt Genoa Sr F

Jacob Montag Eastwood Jr F

Nate Poiry Oak Harbor Jr F

Matthew Szymanski Cardinal Stritch Jr F

Logan Baugher Eastwood Jr M

Jarod Brossia Genoa Sr M

Tyler Bowlick Oak Harbor Jr M

Noah Goetz Genoa Sr D

Aaron Lesniewicz Genoa Sr D

Ryan Reiter Eastwood Jr D

Donovan Damron Oak Harbor Jr D

Rudy Bowe Eastwood Jr GK

Kyle Draper Oak Harbor Sr GK

Christian Buenrostro Cardinal Stritch Sr GK

2015 Alan Miller Jewelers

All-Press Boys Soccer Team

2015 Alan Miller Jewelers

All-Press Boys Soccer Team

Zack Ellison Lake Jr F

Trent Smith Woodmore Sr F

Tyler Axtell Cardinal Stritch Jr F

Daniel Bautista Waite Sr F

Matt Depner Woodmore Sr M

Sean Hoeft Genoa Fr M

Andrew Hoffman Lake So M

Shawn Lillich Lake So M

Liam Hall Oak Harbor Jr M

Austin Lozier Clay Sr D

Landon Bleau Clay Sr D

Sam Barbee Woodmore Fr D

Damon Plummer Lake Sr D

Landon Zura Eastwood Jr D

Zach Hess Oak Harbor Jr D

Matthew Albright Cardinal Stritch Jr D

Justin McCormick Genoa Sr GK

SECOND TEAM

HONORABLE MENTION

Nick Damron, Oak Harbor; Allen Wecke, Oak Harbor; Holden Pelz, Oak Harbor

Nick Nye, Oak Harbor; Quintin DeWalt, Oak Harbor; Cole Cutchall, Woodmore

Darrien Gugle, Genoa; Jacob Hahn, Eastwood; Trevor Hoffman, Eastwood

Jared Luther, Eastwood; Shale Wahl, Woodmore; Logan Bihn, Genoa; Mikey Szymanski, Lake

Kevin Paul, Woodmore; Thomas Cluckey, Clay; Erek Hansen, Clay

Garrett Anderson, Clay; Justin Goedde, Cardinal Stritch

Mitchal Gobbell, Cardinal Stritch; Kyle Miazgowicz, Cardinal Stritch

Co-Players of the Year:

Dakota Calkins, Clay

Jacob Montag, Eastwood

Jarod Brossia, Genoa

Nate Poiry, Oak Harbor

FIRST TEAM

Co-Coaches of the Year:

Justin Guy, Clay

Joe Montag, Eastwood

Ken Filar, Oak Harbor

opener and then ran into defending state champion Mansfi eld Christian, losing 4-1. In that game, the coach’s son, Jacob, scored one of only 14 goals Mansfi eld Christian had allowed in 18 games. Nine Eagles got All-NBC accolades, four were all-district, and Jacob is second team All-Ohio. Jacob is NBC and All-Press Co-POY with Genoa senior midfi elder Jarod Brossia. Jacob is fi rst team all-district and All-NBC for the second year running, won the NBC Golden Boot Award for 20 league goals, and he scored in 16 of 18 games. In addition, Eastwood junior forward Rudy Cruz is fi rst team All-Press, fi rst team All-NBC and second team all-district af-ter recording 23 goals and eight assists. Junior goalkeeper Rudy Bowe is All-Press fi rst team, All-NBC fi rst team, and the NBC Golden Glove Award winner after allowing just 10 goals during league match play. Meanwhile, Brossia’s Genoa team was the only team to put a blemish on the Eagle’s league record as the Comets tied the Eagles 2-2 in their fi rst league encounter. Genoa fi nished 10-6-2 and reached the D-II district tournament, losing to Napoleon, 1-0. Brossia led the team with 55 points, including 18 goals and 19 assists, and all

that scoring came from his position in the middle of the fi eld. "I pushed Jarod to become more of a complete player this year, and for him to re-peat as NBC Co-Player of the Year was a great challenge," said Genoa coach Tim Memmer. "And, he not only was required to play more defense that any of the other top attackers in the league in our ‘team-centric’ tactics, but also he had a target on him in every game.And even with these, he increased his goal and assist production, scoring or assisting in two-thirds of our goals this season.” Clay fi nished 5-10-3, but despite that record, the Eagles won a league champion-ship, taking the Northwest Ohio Scholastic Soccer League Division 2 title with a 4-0-2 record. Sophomore forward Dakota Calkins is NWOSSL POY and All-Press Co-POY, scoring nine goals in league play. Coach Justin Gay said Calkins “stood out” against NWOSSL competition. The future looks bright for Clay, so Guy says the program is “moving in a different direction.” Clay is leaving the NWOSSL and next year will play in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference only, where they had just one win this season. Plus, Guy says they hope to upgrade the non-league schedule.

Clay sophomore forward/outside mid-fi elder Dakota Calkins. (Press fi le photo by Scott Grau/TRACsports.org)

Eastwood's Jacob Montag (23) battles with Otsego's Jacob Caris (2). (Photo by Lee Welch/FamilyPhotoGroup.com)

B-2 THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015

By J. Patrick Eaken, Mark Griffi n,Yaneek Smith, and Nicholas Huenefeldsports@presspublications.com

Genoa came within one win over Otsego of claiming a share of the Northern Buckeye Conference title last year. The Knights rolled through the conference to fi nish 14-0 in the NBC. If Genoa doesn’t win the NBC champi-onship this year, no one can say it was for lack of experience. All fi ve starters return from a year ago.

“If you take any one of those fi ve out, we defi nitely show some weakness,” Coach Mike DeStazio said. “They play so well to-gether, they are truly a team. They all have a role to play. They have accepted that role, which means somebody’s got to get as-sists, get rebounds, be a leader on defense. They’ll do whatever they have to do to help us win a ballgame.” Woodmore’s focus will be defense. In fact, Woodmore scored just one point in the fourth quarter of its season opening win over Port Clinton, which won the Sandusky Bay Conference last year, but managed to hold on for the victory because of their de-fensive effort. “We have stressed defense from day one. We can always control our effort de-fensively and the girls understand that we require maximum effort on that side of the ball,” Coach Kyle Clair said. “This year’s team is the best defensive team I have ever had. We may struggle offensively at times, but we hope to make up for that with our havoc-style defense. We have to sustain aggressive, full-court defensive pressure for 32 minutes and fi nish on the offensive end.” Joe Nowak, who replaces Jim Gracyk as the Flyers’ coach, said the team is doing a good job of adjusting to his style of offense and defense.

“Our playing style is quite a bit differ-ent from what they were accustomed to,” Nowak said. “We had a pretty good sum-mer. It was a time of adjustment and they’re still adjusting to more of a half-court style game. I’m happy with the progress they’ve made so far.

“Defensively, that’s been a big focus in the preseason - sitting down in a defensive stance and trying to stop people. We will play man-to-man and some zone. That has been a big focus for us, guarding people.” The biggest hurdle for fi rst-year Eastwood coach Nick Schmeltz is getting the players to learn his system and phi-losophy. Schmeltz, who played guard at Eastwood (2010), was the Eagles’ junior varsity girls coach last season. He also spent two years as the assistant junior var-sity boys coach.

“For the seniors, I’m their third coach in four years,” said Schmeltz, who replaces Lindsay Ross. “They’ve learned three dif-ferent systems and philosophies. We’re teaching different stuff than past coaches, so we’re batting through that. I’m really pleased how far we’ve come along, and they’re working really hard and picking up stuff.”

Schmeltz added that the way to the top of the NBC standings for the Eagles will be based on the team’s defense, athleticism and quickness.

“If we keep playing hard and im-prove,” he said, “I think we can be up there. We have to stay injury free and have some bounces go our way. We’re capable of com-peting with the top teams in our league.” Rockets, Rangers have high hopes Genoa is not the only team expected to contend for a title, But, how do you fol-low up one of the most successful seasons in the history of the program? It’s the chal-lenge that faces Oak Harbor coach Tom Kontak. After leading his club to just its sec-ond district title in the program’s history, Kontak returns nearly his entire club, one that is picked to win the Sandusky Bay Conference title. Led by senior Andrea Cecil, who re-cently committed to play at Bowling Green State University, the Rockets carry with them heavy expectations. But the expecta-tions are for the writers and fans to worry about while the players and coaches must focus on getting to work. “A strength heading into the season would defi nitely be the overall experience of the group; a group that, after getting completely healthy, made it to the regional semifi nals last season,” said Kontak, who has accumulated a 53-22 record during his three years in Oak Harbor. “Overall, this group of players is athletic, has had much success in the classroom and other sports and is a very close-knit group. “Going into any season, a main con-

Comets, Rockets, Cards, Rangers in search of trophies

Genoa six-foot tall senior wing Erica Harder (22) is defended by Clyde 5-7 junior guard Morgan Bannister (24) in a season-opening Clyde Turkey Shootout semifi nal matchup. (Press photo by Russ Lytle/Facebook.com/RussLytle/RHP)

cern is always that the players collectively stay focused as one unit. You hope that the players continue to trust and support each other.” Northwood returns all fi ve starters from last year and expectations are high in Northwood. The Rangers’ girls program has never won a conference or league champi-onship.

“We’ve set some high expectations for ourselves,” Coach Bill Hamilton said. “The girls want to win the league and they are setting that as a goal for themselves. That could create pressure for them. They un-derstand what they need to do. If they put their effort into making that happen, it’s a possibility.”

Hamilton said the Rangers can be right up there with Tiffi n Calvert, Ottawa Hills and Cardinal Stritch as one of the teams to beat in the TAAC this season, and no one is counting out Gibsonburg.

“We need to defi nitely work hard — harder than we did last year — and chal-lenge ourselves to improve every day we step on the fl oor, whether in practice or a game,” Hamilton said. “They’re working as hard as they can to reach that goal they set for themselves.” Cardinal Stritch coach Cathy Hanek likes what she’s seen from some of her top players in the preseason, but one of her concerns is the team’s current lack of depth.

“I like our top six or seven kids,” Hanek said. “We still think we can play fast and use pressure with the group we’ve got, as long as we stay out of foul trouble and stay injury free. We like our chances, and we have a group that works really hard and buys into what we want to do.”

Hanek added that the three things Stritch has to do to be competitive in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference is stay out of foul trouble, control the pace of the game and execute.

“We have the group to do it,” she said. “We’re talented, just not super deep.” The Gibsonburg girls’ basketball team will look to take advantage of their strength in the post this year.

Overall, Gibsonburg has a lot of expe-rience with four returning starters and six returning letter winners.

“They want to win. They are just learn-ing how to win,” Hill said. “They just need to focus on believing in themselves.”

Hess twins return Clay graduated seven seniors from last year’s team but return a strong core in re-turning starters Haley and Hannah Hess.

The twins both averaged 14.2 points a game last year and earned fi rst-team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference and all-district honors. Hannah will be a third-year starter this season, while Haley was the Eagles’ sixth man as a sophomore.

“We are going to rely on them heavily for scoring, as we have in the past,” coach Corey Slovak said. “They are the seniors now, so there is that aspect of leadership they have to shoulder. They have to have big shoulders because they’re going to be the target of other teams.”

Slovak said the Eagles are using last year’s fi rst-round loss to Anthony Wayne in the sectional tournament as motivation this season.

“We didn’t play well, and with sev-en seniors it was a hard lesson to learn,” Slovak said. “We can’t take things for granted. With fi ve sophomores on varsity this year, we went from a very experienced team last year to just the opposite, so we’ll see how we’re going to handle that.”

Waite coach Manny May will fi eld a young team this year, but they will be as he said, “young and upcoming.” In fact, the team’s overall youth may be a weakness, but it’s also a strength, according to May.

“To have young people come out and participate and learn the game is a strength,” he said. “The thing you want to improve on is awareness on the court. It’s about improving the little things in prac-tice until we come together and mature as a team.”

Genoa Coach: Mike DeStazio, sixth yearLast year: 18-6 (12-2, NBC)Key players: Carly Gose, 5-4, Sr., G; Haley Gerke, 5-5, Sr., G; Emily Edwards, 5-6, Jr., G; Kaylee Buhrow, 5-7, Sr., W; Haley Pickard, 5-5, Sr., G; Erica Harder, 5-11, Sr., W; Chayce McQueary, 5-10, Jr., P; Brittany Mathews, 5-4, So., G; Abby Wolfe 5-6, So., W; Caitlyn Shessler, 5-8, Sr., WPreview: The returning starters are Emily Edwards, Haley Gerke, Carly Gose, Erica Harder and Haley Pickard. Edwards, who

will be a three-year starter, earned honor-able mention All-NBC and all-district honors last year after averag-ing 11 points a game

to go with 53 assists.“Emily is a blue-collar worker,”

DeStazio said. “She does all the little things that makes us better. She gets steals, she anticipates and she can score. She’s a very versatile player.”

Gerke connected on 44 3-pointers last year and averaged nine points a game. She has had two surgeries on her knee, but still made honorable mention all-district as a junior.

“It took all last year to get her to where she was contributing quite a bit,” DeStazio said. “She will make us a very good perim-eter team. She’s probably as smart as any-body on the team with her basketball IQ. She is the one person I think will make us better because of her being healthy.”

Gose, an honorable mention all-district selection, had 146 steals last season and averaged fi ve points and fi ve rebounds a game.

“She is by far the smartest basketball player I’ve ever coached,” DeStazio said. “She doesn’t have to score to make us win. Her intelligence in talking on defense and the effort and athleticism she plays with ... She’s the general on the fl oor.”

Pickard, a three-year starter, enters this season with 958 career points. She was a fi rst-team all-conference and all-district se-lection a year ago after averaging 14 points and nine rebounds to go along with 111 steals and 73 assists.

“I have fi ve kids on the fl oor who run the guard spot, and Haley is probably my point guard,” DeStazio said. “When you’re a three-year starter, that will be lot of her strength right there.”

Harder averaged 11 points and eight rebounds last season while earning second-team All-NBC and all-district honors.

“I can say pretty confi dently that she’s the best 5-foot-11 guard in the league be-cause of her ability to handle the ball,” DeStazio said. “She will be a much better perimeter player this year because she put a lot of time into it. She’s the best ball han-dler in the league for her size.”

Other returning letter winners are senior Caitlyn Shessler, junior Chayce McQueary and sophomore Abby Wolfe.

“If we can continue to improve in our half-court offense and become a better pe-rimeter team offensively, we should be able to compete in the top half of our league,” DeStazio said. “With our ability to handle the ball and press defensively, we should make the game very fast.”

GENOA GIRLS ROSTER2 Carly Gose 5'4 Guard Senior4 Allison Bench 5'6 Guard Senior5 Jaynie Plantz 5'9 Wing Junior10 Haley Gerke 5'5 Guard Senior12 Emily Edwards 5'6 Guard Junior14 Kaylee Buhrow 5'7 Wing Senior21 Haley Pickard 5'5 Guard Senior22 Erica Harder 6'0 Wing Senior24 Chayce McQueary 5'10 Post Junior34 Brittany Mathews 5'4 Guard Sophomore40 Abby Wolfe 5'6 Wing Sophomore44 Caitlyn Shessler 5'8 Wing Senior54 Emma Trainer 5'4 Wing Senior

GENOA GIRLS SCHEDULENov 20-21 @ Clyde Turkey Shootout (Tffin Columbian/ Start)Nov 24 @ Oak HarborNov 27 @ OtsegoDec 3 FOSTORIADec 8 @ ElmwoodDec 11 EASTWOODDec 12 DELTADec 17 @ WoodmoreDec 22 ROSSFORD

Dec 28 HOPEWELL- LOUDONJan 5 LAKEJan 8 OTSEGOJan 9 LAKOTAJan 14 @ FostoriaJan 19 @ EastwoodJan 22 ELMWOODJan 28 WOODMOREFeb 4 @ RossfordFeb 8 OLD FORTFeb 11 @ Lake

Lake Coach: Joe Nowak, fi rst seasonLast year: 14-10 (9-5, NBC)Key players: Maddy Hodgson 5-5, So., G; McKenzie Brittenham, 5-5, Sr., PG; Kayla Bekier, 5-10, So., F; Vanessa Warton, 5-2, Sr., G/P; Kristen Deal, 5-9, Sr., F; Bekah Swartz, 5-6, Jr., G; Lexi Robinson, 5-11, Fr., P; Chloe Huston, 5-8, Sr., G; Alicia Frisinger, 6-0, Sr., PPreview: Lake returns six letter winners in Chloe Huston, McKenzie Brittenham, Bekah Swartz, Maddy Hodgson, Alicia

Frisinger and Kristen Deal. The probable starters are Brittenham, Huston, Deal, Frisinger and either Hodgson or Swartz.

“Chloe is a streaky shooter,” Nowak said.

“When she gets hot, she can really shoot the ball. She has a good sense of the game as far as what to look for and when to look for it. I’ve been pretty happy with that so far. McKenzie’s ball handling is pretty solid and she sees the fl oor real well. She has pretty good passing skills and is one of our better on-ball defenders.

“Bekah brings energy,” the coach add-ed. “She’s always going 100 percent and is another one who can shoot the ball from outside. She gets after it defensively as well. Maddy is really growing into her role on the team. She’s probably one of the most vocal girls on the team. Alicia uses her size pretty well to get into position and make a move. Kristen Deal may seem a little un-dersized, but she’s a pretty physical player. She uses her body pretty well and is pretty mobile down low.”

Nowak said the experience the Flyers got at the varsity level last season will be a big plus in 2015-16.

“It may be challenging in that they’ve been under one system and have to play in another one,” Nowak said, “but at least they have that varsity experience where they’re accustomed to the speed and physicality of

(continued on page B-3)

Girls basketball(continued from page B-2)

THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015 B-3

All-Ohioan and Bowling Green State University signee Andrea Cecil scores two of her 23 points as her Oak Harbor team wins a 40-37 non-league tilt over Genoa Tues-day. Genoa senior guard Haley Pickard scored 22 in the game and reached 1,000 points for her career. (Press photo by Russ Lytle/Facebook.com/RussLytle/RHP)

the game. We have pretty good balance in that a lot of girls can do a lot of different things.”

LAKE GIRLS ROSTER3 Maddy Hodgson 5'5 Sophomore4 McKenzie Brittenham 5'5 Senior11 Kayla Bekier 5'10 Sophomore14 Vanessa Warton 5'2 Senior15 Kristen Deal 5'9 Senior20 Rebekah Swartz 5'6 Junior21 Lexi Robinson 5'11 Freshman30 Chloe Huston 5'8 Senior31 Alicia Frisinger 6'0 Senior LAKE GIRLS SCHEDULENov 20 @ GibsonsburgNov 21 NORTHWOODNov 24 SWANTONNov 27 @ WoodmoreDec 3 @ RossfordDec 5 @ LakotaDec 8 @ OtsegoDec 11 ELMWOODDec 17 FOSTORIADec 21 MAUMEEDec 22 @ Eastwood

Dec 28 @ Port ClintonJan 2 BOWSHERJan 5 @ GenoaJan 8 WOODMOREJan 14 ROSSFORDJan 19 @ ElmwoodJan 22 OTSEGOJan 28 @ FostoriaFeb 4 EASTWOODFeb 6 @ DeltaFeb 11 GENOA

WoodmoreCoach: Kyle Clair, eighth seasonLast year: 8-17 (4-10, NBC)Key players: Jordan Grzygorcyk, 5-9, Sr., P; Lily Rothert, 5-5, Jr., G; Kate Barbee, 5-5, Jr., PG; Liz Koenig, 5-9, Jr., W; Carly Rothert, 5-9, So., F/P; Kait Gephart, 5-7, So., G; Makenzie Hoffman, 5-9, Jr., C; Camryn Bench, 5-7, Jr., F/P; Hayley Freund, 5-6, So., G; Brittany Brugger, 5-9, Sr., P; Nora LaMunyon, 5-7, Fr., GPreview: After a run that saw them win a couple of sectional titles and establish themselves as one of the better teams in

the Northern Buckeye Conference, the Wood-more Wildcats had a rougher go of it last year. However, if Grzygorcyk (4.8 pts, 5.1 reb.) and and Lily Rothert (8.5 pts, 3.1 rebs,

2.1 asst.) have anything to say, Woodmore will be back near the top of the conference. They’ll be joined in the starting lineup by Barbee (4.8 pts., 4.5 reb., 2.1 asst.), Koenig and Carly Rothert. Grzygorcyk played 10 games last season before sustaining an in-jury and missing the rest of the season, so staying healthy will be important. A number of other players will be part of the rotation, among them Gephart (4.8 pts., 3.7 reb.), 5-9 Hoffman, Bench, Freund, Brugger and LaMunyon. In all, the Wildcats have three returning starters, and the team will have to rely on that experience as they work a number of newcomers into the fold. “(Our experience) is very important for us because we have many young play-ers who are getting their fi rst taste of var-sity experience. With a 10- to 12-player rotation, it’s great to have players who are acclimated to the varsity pace and crunch-time situations,” said Clair. “(Lily Rothert and Grzygorcyk) will be key factors for us. With the scoring lost to graduation, we have adapted an ‘All fi ve, all the time’ mentality. Honestly, it has to be a collective effort every night for us to be suc-cessful. While we have good depth, we will need to develop some consistent offensive options as the season progresses. The sooner we do that, the better we will be offensively. “We need to continue to improve on rebounding,” Clair said. “We don’t have a lot of height, so rebounding will have to be something we do as a team.”

WOODMORE GIRLS ROSTER10 Nora LaMunyon 5'7 Guard Freshman11 Jordan Grzegorczyk 5'8 Post Senior12 Clarissa Chavez 5'5 Post Sophomore14 Lily Rothert 5'6 Guard Junior20 Hayley Fruend 5'6 Guard Sophomore22 Liz Koenig 5'9 Guard Junior23 Kate Barbee 5'5 Guard Junior24 Noelle Fruend 5'8 Forward Junior30 Carly Rothert 5'9 F/P Sophomore32 Kaitlin Gephart 5'7 Guard Sophomore34 Camryn Bench 5'7 F/P Junior40 Brittany Brugger 5'9 Post Senior44 Makenzie Hoffman 5'9 Post Junior

WOODMORE GIRLS SCHEDULENov 21 PORT CLINTONNov 24 @ Old FortNov 27 LAKENov 30 GIBSONBURGDec 3 OTSEGODec 5 @ Hopewell- LoudonDec 8 @ EastwoodDec 11 @ FostoriaDec 17 GENOADec 22 ELMWOODDec 28 OTTAWA HILLS

Jan 5 @ RossfordJan 8 @ LakeJan 14 @ OtsegoJan 16 FREMONT ST. JOSEPHJan 19 FOSTORIAJan 22 EASTWOODJan 28 @ GenoaFeb 4 @ ElmwoodFeb 6 OAK HARBORFeb 9 @ LakotaFeb 11 ROSSFORD

Eastwood Coach: Nick Schmeltz, fi rst yearLast year: 6-18 (2-12, NBC)Key players: Mackenzie Albright, 5-8, Sr., G; Brianna Rost, 5-8, Sr., F ; Alexa Schmeltz, 5-7, Sr., F; Kara Ameling, 5-7, Jr., G; Kelley Turk, 5-5, So., GPreview: Eastwood’s three returning start-ers, seniors Mackenzie Albright and Alexa Schmeltz, and junior Kara Ameling, “are pretty talented,” coach Schmeltz said.

“After that, we’re looking for girls to

step up and fi ll spots,” he said. “Athletically, quick-ness-wise, they’re right up there. We just need to get a basketball in their hands and develop them

a little bit.”Albright was an honorable mention

All-Northern Buckeye Conference selec-tion last year after averaging 10.5 points per game. She is a four-year varsity player.

“Mackenzie’s been around and she’s seasoned,” Schmeltz said. “She sees the court and understands the game very well. We tell her something and she picks up on it really quick. She is our point guard and a great leader. I’m hoping some of the girls can learn from her and follow in her footsteps.”

Ameling and Alexa Schmeltz both averaged between three and four points a game a year ago.

“Kara will do anything for us,” coach Schmeltz said. “She’s our best defender, very athletic defensively. She can shut down oth-er teams’ players. Offensively, she runs the court well and is one of our top threats from outside. Alexa has really impressed me in our scrimmages. She is by far our toughest and most aggressive player. She takes it right at you. She is undersized for a post player, but she’s a bulldog down there. She will give some other teams problems.”

Other probable starters are Brianna Rost in the post and Kelley Turk at guard.

“Rost has been around the program for four years, and I have been impressed with her leadership skills,” Schmeltz said. “She’s willing to do anything we ask of her as well. Kelley is coming along. She’s a sophomore and kind of been forced into the mix because of our numbers. She’s learning from Mackenzie Albright, and that helps.”

EASTWOOD GIRLS ROSTER10 Morgan Rost 5'8 Guard Sophomore11 Hannah Owens 5'7 Guard Freshman14 Riley Corns 5'9 Forward Senior15 Mackenzie Albright 5'8 Guard Senior21 Chandler Davidson 5'6 Guard Sophomore22 Kelley Turk 5'5 Guard Sophomore23 Jordan Davidson 5'6 Guard Sophomore24 Kara Ameling 5'7 Guard Junior32 MacKinley Fix 5'10 Forward Sophomore42 Brianna Rost 5'8 Forward Senior44 Alexa Schmeltz 5'7 Forward Senior

EASTWOOD GIRLS SCHEDULENov 27 @ FostoriaDec 1 @ Port ClintonDec 3 ELMWOODDec 8 WOODMOREDec 11 @ GenoaDec 12 OAK HARBORDec 17 @ RossfordDec 21 @ SwantonDec 22 LAKEDec 29 @ MargarettaJan 2 @ Lakota

Jan 5 @ OtsegoJan 8 FOSTORIAJan 9 VAN BURENJan 14 @ ElmwoodJan 16 @ NorthwoodJan 19 GENOAJan 22 @ WoodmoreJan 28 ROSSFORDFeb 4 @ LakeFeb 11 OTSEGOFeb 13 @ Maumee

Oak HarborCoach: Tom Kontak, fourth yearLast year: 16-8 (7-5, SBC)Key players: Andrea Cecil, 6-0, Sr., G/P; Abby Dornbusch, 5-4, So., G; Athena Eli, 5-5, Sr., G; Emma Barney, 5-10, Jr., G; Logan Harris, 6-1, Fr., P Preview: Oak Harbor features a starting lineup that includes shooters out on the perimeter in Abby Dornbusch and Athena

Eli, who is also a stout defender, and athletic, ca-pable forwards in Bowling Green State University signee Andrea Cecil, Emma Barney, and a 6-foot-1 cen-ter in Logan Harris.

Cecil, a two-time All-Ohio selection, averaged 19.6 points and eight rebounds and Barney (8.5 pts., 5 reb.), Eli (6 pts.) and Dornbusch (5.4 pts., 2.6 asst.) as well as Maddie Rathbun (10.2 pts., 6.5 reb.), who is out for the season with a torn ACL, helped to complement the offense. Harris and fel-low post Allie Kuhn will be asked to fi ll the void left by Rathbun’s injury. Kontak adds that defense will be the ultimate factor. “The difference for this team going to the next level and earning an opportunity to play for a league championship is de-fense,” Kontak said. “Plain and simple. As a group, we have to believe that moving our feet and stopping the dribble drive are the most important things we do.” Look for guard Emma Bergman and guard/post Olivia Rollins to provide some punch off the bench. “The biggest challenge this year will be that we all, players and coaches, keep our mental edge at a steady level,” Kontak said. “Our group of players and coaches really do trust each other and believe in one another a great deal.”

OAK HARBOR GIRLS ROSTER1 Emma Barney 5'10 Guard Junior2 Athena Eli 5'5 Guard Senior3 Andrea Cecil 6'0 G/P Senior4 Allie Kuhn 5'10 Post Senior5 Maddy Rathbun 5'8 Post Junior10 Logan Harris 6'1 Post Freshman11 Abby Dornbusch 5'4 Guard Sophomore13 Emma Bergman 5'4 Guard Junior20 Ollivia Rollins 5'9 P/G Senior

OAK HARBOR GIRLS SCHEDULENov 20 @ RossfordNov 24 GENOANov 27 @ EdisonDec 1 HURONDec 5 @ ClydeDec 12 @ EastwoodDec 15 @ Sandusky St. MaryDec 19 @ PerkinsDec 29-30 @ McDonalds Holiday Classic (Lima)

Jan 5 PORT CLINTONJan 7 BELLEVUEJan 9 EDISONJan 12 @ HuronJan 16 @ MargarettaJan 19 CLYDEJan 26 OLD FORTJan 30 PERKINSFeb 2 MARGARETTAFeb 6 @ WoodmoreFeb 9 @ ElmwoodFeb 11 @ Port Clinton

Cardinal StritchCoach: Cathy Hanek, second yearLast year: 13-11 (11-5, TAAC)Key players: Kama Hardy, 5-10, Sr., G/F; Kali Hardy, 5-6, Sr., G; Madison Moran, 5-8, Sr., G/F; Emily Uher, 5-11, Jr., F; Jami Hardy, 5-6, Jr., GPreview: Senior guard Kali Hardy (8 pts., 4 reb.) and senior guard/forwards Kama Hardy and Madison Moran (5 pts., 4 reb.)

are the Cardinals’ returning starters. “Kali is a really hard worker at both ends of the fl oor,” Hanek said. “That’s probably her best attribute. She has improved her shoot-ing from last year and she’s

going to be relied on to do more scoring than she’s used to. Defensively, she’ll be guarding the ball most of the time. She’ll be starting our defense for us.”

Kama Hardy, a second team All-Ohio soccer player, averaged six points and sev-en rebounds as a junior and is the team’s best rebounder and passer, says Hanek.

“She has a nose for the ball,” the coach said. “Her strong point is her passing, but I’d like to see her look to score more. She is good at seeing the fl oor and getting other people the ball and anticipating when her teammates are going to be open.”

“Madison has improved her shot a lit-tle bit since last year,” Hanek said. “She’s kind of in the same boat as Kali. We will look for her to score more than last year and help us out in rebounding as well.”

Junior guard Jami Hardy should be one of the other starters along with junior for-ward Emily Uher.

“Jami is one of our better shooters,” Hanek said. “The last half of last year she played big minutes for us and made some big shots. We’re counting on her to do that again this year. Emily is still a little bit raw, but she’s getting better around the basket and is one of our best rebounders. She is another person we’ll be relying on inside, offensively and defensively.”

CARDINAL STRITCH GIRLS ROSTER2 Kama Hardy 5'10 G/F Senior3 Courteney Hardy 5'6 Guard Sophomore4 Jami Hardy 5'6 Guard Junior5 Kali Hardy 5'6 Guard Senior10 Erika Berg 5'6 Guard Sophomore12 Taylor Besgrove 5'6 Guard Sophomore20 Mady Moran 5'8 G/F Senior22 Jordyn Holcomb 5'8 G/F Junior24 Emily Uher 5'11 Forward Junior44 Makiah Dobrzynski 5'6 Guard Junior

CARDINAL STRITCH GIRLS SCHEDULENov 20 FREMONT ST. JOSEPHNov 30 @ WaiteDec 3 @ DanburyDec 5 EMMANUEL CHRISTIANDec 10 @ GibsonburgDec 12 @ Maumee ValleyDec 15 NORTHWOODDec 18 OTTAWA HILLSDec 21 EVERGREENDec 23 MONROEVILLEDec 29 @ Sandusky St. MaryJan 7 TOLEDO

CHRISTIANJan 9 @ Tiffin CalvertJan 16 DANBURYJan 21 @ Emmanuel ChristianJan 23 GIBSONBURGJan 28 MAUMEE VALLEYJan 30 @ NorthwoodFeb 1 @ SwantonFeb 4 @ Ottawa HillsFeb 6 @ Toledo ChristianFeb 11 TIFFIN CALVERT

NorthwoodCoach: Bill Hamilton, fourth yearLast year: 13-10 (9-5, TAAC)Key players: Alex Rable, 5-7, Sr., F; Dara Artino, 5-6, Sr., G; Kristi Sawmiller, 5-11, Sr., F; Allison Roach, 5-5, Jr., PG; Jade Laviolette, 5-10, So., F; Amber Meach, 5-6, Jr., G, Lexi Lampros, 5-7, So., F; Olivia Randall, 5-5, Fr., GPreview: Northwood’s returning starters are seniors Alex Rable, Dara Artino and Kristi Sawmiller, junior Allison Roach and

junior Jade Laviolette.“There is a nice chemis-

try between those fi ve, and they’re working to get the other three (Amber Meach, Lexi Lampros and Olivia Randall) to come along as well,” Hamilton said. “The

focus will be on the (starting) fi ve. Depth is our weakness, but the other three will be able to step in (off the bench).”

Roach is the team’s top returning scor-er. She averaged 15.7 points per game en route to earning fi rst-team All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference honors last season.

“She scores from inside and outside and does a nice job,” Hamilton said. “She takes it to the hole and can light it up from the outside. The goal is that they all score. In the best of worlds, if we can score 10-12 points per game each, that’s what we’re looking for.”

Sawmiller posted averages of 5.2 points and 5.6 rebounds last year, while Artino averaged 5.8 points.

“Kristi does a really nice job for us under the boards,” Hamilton said. “She works hard, and as a coach I can’t ask for any more than that. I wish she would score a little more for us, and that’s been a focus. We want her to score more and help hold our opponents to under a certain score.

N

(continued on page B-4)

Girls basketball(continued from page B-3)

B-4 THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015

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“Dara works really hard and puts a lot of effort into her play. It’s that effort that creates positive things for us on the offen-sive end.”

Rable, who was named the TAAC Co-Player of the Year in soccer this fall, aver-aged 5.5 points per game on the court as a junior last season.

“Defensively, she’s a real go-getter for us,” Hamilton said. “She makes a lot of things happen that makes our team better. She does the defensive things and has a knack for it. When she’s on her game, she changes things. Her defense creates of-fense.”

NORTHWOOD GIRLS ROSTER2 Olivia Randall 5'2 Freshman3 Brooke Schmitz 5'2 Freshman4 Allison Roach 5'3 Junior10 Lamai Fox 5'1 Freshman11 Amber Meach 5'7 Junior13 Alex Rable 5'9 Senior14 Corey Fry 5'2 Freshman15 Kristi Sawmiller 5'11 Senior21 Amya Roscoe 5'4 Junior22 Kylie Grant 5'8 Freshman32 Dara Artino 5'6 Senior33 Alexis Lampros 5'6 Sophomore34 Kirsten Dombrowski 5'5 Freshman35 Bhakti Merchant 5'8 Junior44 Nayvee Dewar-Erard 5'4 Sophomore52 Jade Laviolette 5'10 Junior

NORTHWOOD GIRLS SCHEDULENov 21 @ LakeNov 30 @ Monclova ChristianDec 5 @ Ottawa HillsDec 10 TOLEDO CHRISTIANDec 12 TIFFIN CALVERTDec 15 @ Cardinal StritchDec 18 DANBURYDec 30 NORTH BALTIMOREJan 7 @ Emmanuel ChristianJan 9 GIBSONBURGJan 14 @ Maumee Valley

Jan 16 EASTWOODJan 19 FOSTORIA ST. WENDELINJan 21 OTTAWA HILLSJan 23 @ Toledo ChristianJan 28 @ Tiffin CalvertJan 30 CARDINAL STRITCHFeb 4 @ DanburyFeb 6 EMMANUEL CHRISTIANFeb 11 @ GibsonburgFeb 13 MAUMEE VALLEY

GibsonburgCoach: Heather Hill (second year)Last year: 7-16 (6-8, TAAC) Key players: Katy Roberts, 5-4, Sr., G; Sonia Pecina, 5-9, Sr., F; Abby Cantrell, 5-10, Jr., G/F; Shylee Schmeltz, 5-3, Jr., G; Allie Teeple, 5-10, Jr., F; Jenna Lewandowski, 5-11, Jr., FPreview: The height of Cantrell, Teeple and Lewandowski will be looked upon as the team lost their leading scorer and rebound-er from last year, Leann Widmer. The duo

of Cantrell and Teeple combined to average 12.6 points last year, while the trio averaged 12.9 re-bounds.

“I keep telling (the team) that I think we need to focus on pound-

ing the ball inside and give our post players a chance to fi nish and get to the foul line,” said Heather Hill, who is in her fi rst full year as head coach.

That was evident in the team’s close, season opening loss to Lake 43-38. Gibsonburg got the ball inside, but fi nished 13-for-34 from the foul line.

“I was very proud of them,” Hill said. “We crashed the boards hard. We pounded the ball inside. We just need to take care of the ball better (23 turnovers), but our de-fense played very, very well.”

Hill, who took over midseason last year, said the team is focusing on improv-ing the turnover battle, which she said will improve with confi dence.

“We’re just afraid of making a mistake rather than taking care of the basketball,” she said. “It’s just a lack of confi dence.”

Through that, Hill has seen improve-ment and noted the work ethic of Roberts, who averaged 5.5 points and 1.7 steals last year.

“By far, Schmeltz and Teeple have come a long ways since we started last year,” she said. “And Katy is by far the best role player I’ve ever coached. She will do anything we ask of her.”

GIBSONBURG GIRLS ROSTER4 Megan Walsh 6'0 Forward Senior10 Shylee Schmeltz 5'3 Guard Junior11 Emily Roberts 5'7 G/F Freshman14 Anna Stout 5'8 Guard Sophomore20 Katy Roberts 5'4 Guard Senior22 Abby Cantrell 5'10 G/F Junior24 Marie Villarreal 5'4 Guard Senior25 Allie Teeple 5'10 Forward Junior30 Jenna Lewandowski 5'11 Forward Junior32 Sonia Pecina 5'9 Forward Senior

GIBSONBURG GIRLS SCHEDULENov 20 LAKENov 30 @ WoodmoreDec 3 TOLEDO CHRISTIANDec 5 @ Tiffin CalvertDec 10 CARDINAL STRITCHDec 12 @ DanburyDec 15 EMMANUEL CHRISTIANDec 17 LAKOTADec 21 @ Fremont St. JosephJan 2 @ ArcadiaJan 4 @ Ottawa HIlls

Jan 7 MAUMEE VALLEYJan 9 @ NorthwoodJan 16 @ Toledo ChristianJan 21 TIFFIN CALVERTJan 23 @ Cardinal StritchJan 28 DANBURYJan 30 @ Emmanuel ChristianFeb 1 BOWLING GREENFeb 6 @ Maumee ValleyFeb 11 NORTHWOODFeb 13 OTTAWA HILLS

ClayCoach: Corey Slovak, fourth yearLast year: 17-6 (9-5, TRAC)Key players: Hannah Hess, 5-8, Sr., G; Haley Hess, 5-7, Sr., G; Hannah Kuhlman, 5-5, Sr., G; Caitlyn Kuecher, 5-6, Jr. G; Sydney Hess, 5-7, Jr., G; Lexi Reese, 5-6, Jr., F; Elizabeth Vincent, 5-10, So., C.Preview: The Eagles won’t be able to sneak up on any opponents this season. Clay racked up 17 wins last season and made

things interesting in the TRAC. Slovak is counting on that being the case again.Clay’s returning let-ter winners are Hannah Hess, Haley Hess, Hannah

Kuhlman and Sydney Hess.“Sydney’s role for us is going to be that

glue, or grinder, player,” Slovak said. “She’s always going to guard the other team’s best player. She sticks her nose in on defense and takes charges and does things that maybe other people don’t want to do. She can run the point and is not a bad shooter.”

Sydney, Haley and Hannah Hess will all be in the starting lineup with sopho-more center Elizabeth Vincent. Kuhlman or junior guard Caitlyn Kuecher could also start. Slovak said the Eagles will play four guards and one post “on a regular basis.”

“Our biggest advantage is we can put three or four (guards) out there at a time, spread teams out and take advantage of our spacing and quickness and one-on-one at-tacks,” Slovak said.

WaiteCoach: Manny May, 18th yearLast year: 7-14 (4-6, TCL)Key players: Dajanay Wells, 5-8, Sr., G; LaTrecia Williams, 6-1, Sr., C , Sierra Pegish, Sr., F; Marteena Fitch, Jr., GPreview: Wells, Williams and Pegish are the team’s long three seniors, and the team will feature plenty of freshmen and sophomores

as well as two juniors. One of those sophomores is Mae Sanders, who led the team with six points in a season opening loss to East Cleveland Shaw.

“She’s going to im-prove every game,” May said. “She played on the freshmen and JV teams last year. She’s very aggressive and a nice rebounder.”

As shown by Sanders leading the team with six points, this year’s team won’t fea-ture an elite scorer after the loss of reign-ing City League Player of the Year Ramiah Henry to graduation.

“We don’t have anyone to fi ll her role yet,” May said. “The fi rst half of the season will be about getting our feet wet and un-derstanding the pace of the game. We just have to step up and have a collective thing as a team to score points.”

The team’s post game could be a strong unit, and the youth of the team at the guard position intrigues May.

“We have solid post players,” he said. “If we get the ball to them, they will deliver. Our guard play will be interesting because they are young. As they improve, the team will improve.”

CLAY GIRLS ROSTER2 Hailey Clere 5'6 Sophomore3 Sydney Hess 5'7 Junior4 Hannah Jehany 5'7 Junior5 Hannah Hess 5'8 Senior10 Shannon Coughlin 5'7 Sophomore12 Samantha Stanley 5'3 Sophomore20 Caitlyn Kuecher 5'6 Junior21 Haley Hess 5'7 Senior22 Hannah Kuhlman 5'5 Senior24 Taytem Rew 5'6 Sophomore32 Lexi Reese 5'6 Junior44 Elizabeth Vincent 5'10 Sophomore

CLAY GIRLS SCHEDULENov 27 SPRINGFIELDNov 30 @ WhitmerDec 3 CENTRAL CATHOLICDec 10 FINDLAYDec 17 @ Fremont RossDec 21 ST. URSULADec 22 @ StartDec 28-29 @ Cincinnati Princeton TourneyJan 7 @ Lima SeniorJan 9 @ Sylvania Southview

Jan 14 @ Notre DameJan 18 PERRYSBURGJan 21 WHITMERJan 25 @ Central CatholicJan 28 @ FindlayFeb 1 FREMONT ROSSFeb 2 BEDFORD (Mich.) Feb 4 @ St. UrsulaFeb 8 LIMA SENIOR

WAITE GIRLS ROSTER4 C'asjha Pratt Freshman5 Alizah Alvarez Sophomore20 Marteena Fitch Junior23 Julia Campos Sophomore24 Dajaney Wells Senior30 Angelica Escareno Junior32 Angelique Bryan Sophomore34 Mae Sanders Sophomore40 Latriece Williams Senior50 Jamareah Howell Freshman55 Sierra Pegish Senior

WAITE GIRLS SCHEDULENov 21 East Cleveland ShawNov 24 @ FindlayNov 27 BOWSHERNov 30 CARDINAL STRITCHDec 4 STARTDec 11 @ WoodwardDec 15 ROGERSDec 18 @ ScottDec 26-27 @ Detroit Edison Tourney

Jan 8 @ BowsherJan 9 CLEVELAND MAX HAYESJan 13 @ StartJan 16 @ Columbus NorthlandJan 20 WOODWARDJan 21 @ DanburyJan 27 @ RogersJan 30 DETROIT COUNTRY DAYFeb 3 SCOTT

By J. Patrick Eaken, Mark Griffi n,Yaneek Smith, and Nicholas Huenefeldsports@presspublications.com

The Waite boys’ basketball team has seen steady improvement since fourth year head coach Adam Rodriguez took over, and this year the team hopes to break a 78-year championship drought.

In his fi rst year, Rodriguez led Waite to three wins. That improved to seven his second year. It became 10 last year. This year, with several three-year varsity start-ers, they hope to make the jump to a league championship, which hasn’t been achieved since 1938.

“We expect to compete for a league title,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been harping on that. They’re trying to go out with a bang and put a new number up on the banner for a city championship. Seventy eight years is a long time.” It’s been a while since Clay coach Rob Belegrin was this excited to start a season. His senior-less team struggled to win last year, but they were scrappy, fun to watch, and never gave up. Now, they have varsity experience under their belt.

“We’ve got everybody back, and we played four sophomores last year,” Belegrin said. “We have a good group of seniors and juniors who all have experi-ence. We’re looking a lot better than last year, when we just had to grind to get ex-perience. We will have ups and downs this year, but we’re a lot better and a lot more confi dent.”

“Our goal in the conference is to basi-cally try to get to .500,” Belegrin said. “Our goal is to win the games we can win and maybe sneak up on a team and get a win, which we did last year.”

Denny knows how to win In the Northern Buckeye Conference race, it can be said newcomer Denny Meyer knows how to win basketball games, es-pecially at Lake. The former girls’ varsity coach led the Flyers to four league titles, four sectional titles and one district title in four years. Now, he steps in as Lake’s boys coach.

With no returning starters and four returning lettermen, Meyer has his work cut out for him this season. Two key play-ers from last year’s squad chose not to play basketball this season.

“Right now we don’t know where we’re going to get scoring from,” Meyer said. “We’re working hard on our defense to keep us in games. Right now we are not athletic enough to be where we’re going to get a lot of steals. Our goal is to make teams take tough shots. We are going to be a good rebounding team.” At Genoa, one key to success will be something that coach Zach Alt really can’t teach. It’s either there or it isn’t initially, but it can be built during the course of a season.

“Our chemistry is good,” Alt said. “We share the ball well. I see us having a lot of assists as a team. That’s how we’re going to have to score. Defensively, we’re going to get after you. As a group, they take pride in getting after you defensively. We’ve most-ly stayed in the half court (on defense) in scrimmages.”

Genoa’s weakness, Alt said, is a lack of experience at the varsity level.

“We’re pretty young, but this is a group that will be a more mature team by the end of the season,” Alt said. “They’ll have a better understanding of varsity-level bas-ketball. They have knowledge of basketball in general, but they need an understanding of varsity level.”

Alt said Rossford, Eastwood, Elmwood and Lake should be the top four teams in the Northern Buckeye Conference.

“We’d like to be in the upper half and play meaningful games in February,” Alt said. “If that means playing in games lead-ing to a conference title, that would be nice. The kids have been working hard and I re-ally appreciate their chemistry and work-ing hard every day.” At Eastwood, the core of last year’s team — Noah Smith, Tim Hoodlebrink, Jason Fertig, Brennan Seifert and leading scorer Zach Jacoby (16 pts.) — have grad-uated, leaving coach Matt Routson with just one returning starter from last year’s Division III regional semifi nal team.

“We need court-time experience,” Routson said. “Some of these guys got play-ing time last year, maybe three or four min-utes here or there. Having to step up and be ‘the guy’ is different.” Woodmore had a respectable sea-son last year, going 10-13 and 6-8 in the Northern Buckeye Conference. Drew Lewandowski and Grant Weis

Boys basketball excitement brewing at Waite, Clay

The Waite basketball team. (Photo courtesy Innovations Portrait Studio/InnovationsVisualImpact.com)

were the stars of the team, combining to average 29.6 points and 10.9 rebounds. But they, along with two other starters, Ryan Avers and Zach Gephart, have graduated and taken the vast majority of last year’s production with them. Like they did last year, Woodmore will have to make up for its lack of size by rely-ing on its athleticism and trying to get out on the break offensively. But more than anything, especially for such an inexperienced group, the key is to make strides throughout the season and hope to play its best when the postseason arrives. “This is a team that I expect to continu-ally improve as the season goes along and will be playing its best basketball at tourna-ment time,” Coach Aaron Clouse said. Since Eric Sweet took over at Oak Harbor, his program has hung its collective hat on playing tough defense. This season will be no different. The Rockets will have to replace eight key players from last year’s team, and though they have some capable scorers to fi ll the void, it will be defense that must re-main the focal point. “That is who I am and that is what we are about here at Oak Harbor,” Sweet said. “Our goal this year is to take that hard-nosed defensive approach and match it on the offensive end.” Gone are Tyler Sievert, Andre Ramsey, Cole Weirich, Paul Shay, Deshawn Johnson, Isaiah Jefferson, Kalob Vargas and Vince Szabo, all of whom contributed in different ways last season

Chasing Green Bears and EaglesJamie Kachmarik had a pretty good

fi rst season as Cardinal Stritch’s coach.He had one of the best players in the

area in fi rst-team All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference and all-district performer Austin Adams, the leading scorer in school history who averaged 21 points and 10.5 rebounds a game last year. Adams is now starting at Urbana University.

“You can’t replace him, because he’s one of those irreplaceable players,” Kachmarik said. “Now, my roster is very young. One guy played signifi cant minutes (last year) and three other guys return who were on the team but didn’t play a major role. We had six seniors last season who played a lot in our seven-man rotation.”

Kachmarik said Ottawa Hills and Toledo Christian are the two teams to beat in the TAAC this season.

“Ottawa Hills has almost everyone re-turning,” he said, “and Toledo Christian has a good core returning. We’ll be good with time, but we’re just young right now. Guys have to learn how to do it every day.” The Gibsonburg boys basketball team lost four starters from last year’s 23-1 team, but return the other starter, Marcus Tille, and Mateo Flores, the team’s sixth man last year who averaged 6.8 points per game.

“They’ll be our fl oor leaders,” Liskai said. “We’ll expect more scoring out of them this year.”

It will be tough, though, for 14th year head coach Brent Liskai and his coach-ing staff to replace the 45 points per game that they lost from last year’s team. What they will do, though, is bank on the suc-cess they’ve had over the past four years (68 wins) and a JV team that went 16-4 last year.

“The kids have been around (win-ning),” Liskai said. “They know what it takes. It’s all about them developing their own personality and playing the right way.” Northwood’s season hadn’t even start-ed yet, but fi rst-year coach Allen Drake liked what he saw from his players since

he took over a program that has won just two games in two years.

“The main thing is being able to change the culture and have them buy into what I’m trying to do with them, being able to establish the ground rules,” Drake said. “They’ve responded pretty well. They’re working really hard, and they’ve said this is the hardest thing they’ve ever done. I wanted to mentally test them to see if they could handle the grind of the season. I have to know if they are mentally tough enough to handle everything we have going on.”

Clay Coach: Rob Belegrin, seventh yearLast year: 1-21 (1-13 TRAC)Key players: Chris Walter, 6-3, Sr., G; Noah Durczynski, 6-4, Sr., F; Garyck Hahn, 6-4, Sr., F; Nate Bush, 6-0, Jr., G; Josh Kiss, 6-0, Jr., G; Mohammed Elmazjoub, 6-0, Jr., PGPreview: The Eagles return several full- or part-time starters in guards Nate Bush, Joe Kiss, Chris Walter and Steven Nguyen, and

forwards Garyck Hahn and Noah Durczynski. A handful of other players also got varsity experience in 2014-15, when Clay’s lone win came against Three Rivers Athletic

Conference rival Whitmer.“We can play 10 to 11 deep,” Belegrin

said. “We’re going to be in games this year. We just can’t go on scoring droughts. Some nights the ball won’t go in the hole. When we missed a few last year, we’d get down. We just have to overcome that and we’ll work on that.”

Belegrin called Bush a team leader and looks for him to improve his production of-fensively after averaging 3-4 points a game last year. “He’s our defensive stopper on the ball and a great rebounder who can get to the hole and fi nish,” Belegrin said. “He’s a great leader for our team. The kids listen to him and respect him. He’s not selfi sh, but we are trying to make him more selfi sh scoring-wise.”

Kiss and Hahn both averaged around seven points a game a year ago.

“Josh was a good scorer for us,” Belegrin said. “He’s good at the rim and at the foul line, but he has to be more con-sistent handling the ball and be more con-sistent on defense. Garyck has a good mo-tor. He can move and run and rebound and score. Sometimes he plays way too fast. Sometimes he has to slow down. He’ll be in and out of the starting lineup.”

Durczynski played half of last sea-son on the junior varsity squad before be-ing called up, and Belegrin said he is im-pressed with the senior’s all-around game.

“Noah rebounds, plays defense and knows everything we’re doing,” the coach said. “He sets good screens and gets a lot of guys open, and that’s huge. He can catch and fi nish, and that’s nice.”

Nguyen, the team’s top returning scor-er (8 ppg.) started at point guard last year but will come off the bench as a two-guard this year, according to Belegrin. The back-up point guard is freshman Reese Wamer.

Mohammed Elmazjoub, a junior who got some playing time last year, will get plenty of minutes this season.

“The stage was way too big for him last year, but he worked his butt off and the stage isn’t too big for him this year,” Belegrin said. “He’s ready to roll. He’s got great ball handling skills, attacks the rim and fi nishes well, and his defense has got-ten a ton better.”

The key bench players include junior guard Keshawn Clark and senior forwards Kyle Blausey and J.D. Davis.

Waite Coach: Adam Rodriguez, fourth yearLast year: 10-11 (2-8, TCL)Key players: Alec Heslet, 6-3, Sr., G; Eric Neal, 6-2, Sr., G; Chris Johnson, 6-3, Sr., F; Mark Boone, 6-6, Jr., FPreview: The team lost their leading scorer, Jeremy Pratt, to graduation, but re-turns a trio of key seniors in Heslet, Neal

and Johnson. Rodriguez said the team will rely on its experience, inside out game and 3-point shooting this year.

“One of the hardest things is having a team

that’s not used to winning going into games and expecting to win,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve done that so far in the pre-season and that has to carry out through the whole season.”

Rodriguez said the team plans to work the ball into the post, which will include third-year varsity forward Johnson, but they’re going to shoot the three when avail-able.

“We’ll be able to press a little bit more than years past, too,” he added.

The team recently traveled to a scrim-mage in Detroit and faced two teams that won 20 games last year, and Rodriguez was pleased that his team competed.

“I expect good things from this team this year,” he said.

“I like our chemistry. Our guys have seen some of the dog years. Now, they’re hoping to su rpass anything Waite has seen in a long time.”

CLAY BOYS ROSTER0 Nate Bush 6'1 150 Soph Forward1 Mohammed 5'10 160 Junior Guard Elamzjoub2 Keshawn Clark 5'6 140 Junior Guard3 Chris Walter 6'2 150 Senior Guard4 Dustin Alton 5'10 160 Soph Guard10 Reese Wamer 5'10 155 Fresh Guard11 Noah Durczynski 6'3 170 Senior Forward12 Kyle Blausey 6'5 200 Senior Forward14 JD Davis 6'3 205 Senior Forward23 Josh Kiss 6'0 175 Junior Guard24 Steven Nguyen 5'10 160 Senior Guard34 Garcyk Hahn 6'3 165 Senior Forward40 Dakota Calkins 5'8 150 Soph Guard

CLAY BOYS SCHEDULENov 27 @ Tiffin ColumbianDec 1 WOODWARDDec 4 @ WhitmerDec 8 @ FindlayDec 11 @ St. FrancisDec 18 ST. JOHN'SDec 29 ROSSFORDJan 2 @ Lima SeniorJan 5 CENTRAL CATHOLICJan 8 @ Fremont RossJan 12 SYLVANIA NORTHVIEW

Jan 15 @ Cardinal StritchJan 19 WHITMERJan 22 FINDLAYJan 26 @ WaiteJan 29 ST. FRANCISFeb 2 @ St. John'sFeb 5 @ Central CatholicFeb 9 @ GenoaFeb 12 FREMONT ROSSFeb 19 LIMA SENIORFeb 23 WOODMORE

WAITE BOYS ROSTER1 Dajuan Baker 6'1 150 Senior Forward2 Dalson James 6'0 150 Junior Guard10 Eric Neal 6'2 170 Senior Guard12 Jay Leasure 6'1 150 Senior Guard14 Alec Heslet 6'3 175 Senior Guard20 Dominique Booth 5'11 160 Soph Guard23 Ronnie Sanders 6'4 170 Junior Forward24 Jay'von Weston 6'2 180 Senior Forward30 Kelvin Downer 5'10 170 Senior Guard32 Chris McMillan 6'5 190 Junior Forward33 Mark Boone 6'6 260 Junior Forward34 Chris Johnson 6'3 180 Senior Forward40 Keyshawn Leach 6'4 170 Soph Forward

WAITE BOYS SCHEDULEDec 2 BOWSHERDec 9 STARTDec 12 ANTHONY WAYNEDec 14 MONCLOVA CHRISTIANDec 16 @ WoodwardDec 19 @ Sylvania SouthviewDec 22 @ FostoriaDec 28-29 @ Warrior Classic (Emmanuel Christian)Jan 2 ST. FRANCISJan 6 ROGERS

Jan 9 @ Dublin JeromeJan 15 @ ScottJan 18 Lenawee Christian (@ Bowsher)Jan 22 @ BowsherJan 26 CLAYJan 29 @ StartFeb 2 WOODWARDFeb 5 @ RogersFeb 12 SCOTTFeb 16 TCL final fourFeb 18 TCL final

(continued on page B-6)

THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015 B-5

Boys basketball(continued from page B-5)

Gibsonburg (Photo courtesy Innovations Portrait Studio/InnovationsVisualImpact.com)

Lake Coach: Denny Meyer, fi rst yearLast year: 22-2 (13-1, NBC)Key players: Spencer Little, 5-4, Sr., G; Aaron Witt, 5-8, Sr., G; Adam Duncan, 5-10, Sr., G; Zach Ellison, 5-10, Jr., G; Julio Mata, 6-2, Jr., P; Nick Stowers, 6-2, Sr., W; Jimmy Urias, 6-3, Jr., PPreview: Meyer said the Flyers will play a lot of half-court man-to-man defense “be-cause we don’t have a lot of depth.”

“They haven’t run much man-to-man, so it’s a work in progress right now,” Meyer said. “Our fi rst scrimmage we looked pretty good. Our last scrimmage, not so good.

We’re playing pretty inconsistent right now.”

Senior Aaron Witt, who lettered two years ago but didn’t play last year, will start at point guard.

“He’s a halfway decent shooter, and right now we’re really working with him to get us into our offensive sets,” Meyer said. “He sees the fl oor pretty good. We’re work-ing on pushing the ball up the fl oor.”

Lake’s returning lettermen are seniors Adam Duncan and Spencer Little, and juniors Zach Ellison and Jimmy Urias. Duncan will start at one wing position, and Ellison will start at shooting guard this sea-son.

“Adam is more of a defensive guy and will guard the other team’s best guard,” Meyer said. “Right now he’s the heart of the team. He’s our leader. If he plays good defense, everybody else starts playing good defense. That’s what his role has always been.”

Meyer said Ellison is one of the team’s most athletic players.

“He’s a pretty decent shooter,” the coach said. “He can be pretty inconsistent, but he can shoot the ball and is one of our better defenders.”

Urias, who lettered last year, and ju-nior Julio Mata will start in the post.

“Urias is a very good post player,” Meyer said. “He was an offensive lineman and has good footwork and good hands. In the past he wasn’t expected to score. Now he has to work on his post moves because we have to get scoring out of our post. Julio played strictly jayvee last year and is very athletic. We just have to get him up to speed with varsity play.”

Lake will add another player later in the season in senior wing Nick Stowers, a transfer from Rossford. Stowers has to sit out the fi rst 11 games due to the transfer rule.

“He’s the best scorer we have on the team by far,” Meyer said. “We may have to use him at post, because we don’t have much depth in the post.”

Genoa Coach: Zach Alt, second yearLast year: 11-12 (7-7, NBC)Key players: Matt Bradfi eld, 6-1, Jr., W; Sam Sutter, 5-10, Jr., G; Josiah Bradfi eld, 5-10, So., G; Noah Edwards, 5-8, So., W; Jacob Plantz, 6-2, Fr., W; Drew Bench, 6-5, Fr., PPreview: Genoa returns just one full-time starter in honorable mention all-district performer Matt Bradfi eld. Junior Sam Sutter and sophomore Josiah Bradfi eld

started “maybe 10 per-cent of our games” last season, according to Alt.

Matt Bradfi eld, a junior wing, averaged

eight points and four rebounds a game as a sophomore coming off the bench.

“He is a strong, athletic kid and an above average defender,” Alt said. “He’s gritty and he likes to get his nose in there, and he’s a good rebounder.”

Sutter will start at shooting guard and is in his third season on the varsity team.

LAKE BOYS ROSTER3 Spencer Little 5'4 Senior10 Austin Wilhelm 5'8 Senior12 Zach Jacob 5'8 Junior15 Aaron Witt 5'8 Senior20 Nathan Bonds 5'10 Senior22 Mikey Szymanski 5'7 Sophomore23 Adam Duncan 5'10 Senior30 Zach Ellison 5'10 Junior32 Julio Mata 6'2 Junior33 Nick Stowers 6'2 Senior34 Andrew Hoffman 5'3 Sophomore54 Jimmy Urias 6'3 Junior LAKE BOYS SCHEDULENov 28 OAK HARBORDec 1 @ Toledo ChristianDec 4 WOODMOREDec 10 @ RossfordDec 12 DELTADec 15 @ OtsegoDec 18 @ FostoriaDec 22-23 LAKE HOLIDAY CLASSICDec 29 @ NorthwoodJan 7 ELMWOOD

Jan 9 SWANTONJan 12 @ EastwoodJan 15 GENOAJan 21 @ WoodmoreJan 26 ROSSFORDJan 29 FOSTORIAFeb 2 OTSEGOFeb 5 @ ElmwoodFeb 9 @ New RiegelFeb 12 EASTWOODFeb 19 @ Genoa

“Sam has a lot of experience and he has a high basketball IQ,” Alt said. “He knows my expectations as a player and what we’re trying to build as a program. He gets the group organized and is a good ball handler and shooter.”

Alt added that Josiah Bradfi eld “is a quick, hard-nosed defender. He really sees the fl oor well and he gets to the rim pretty well.”

EastwoodCoach: Matt Routson, fourth yearLast year: 17-9 (8-6, NBC)Key players: Nick Coffman, 5-7, Sr., G; Chris Orcutt, 6-3, Sr., P; Jonathan Bowlus, 6-4, Sr., P; Cory Coffman, 5-10, So., G; Cade Boos, 5-10, So., G; Grant Hirzel, 5-9, So., G; Collin Dewese, 6-1, Jr., GPreview: The lone returning starter is senior two-guard Nick Coffman, who averaged fi ve points a game in 2014-15. Coffman is a

three-year varsity player.“We’re looking for

leadership from him, No. 1,” Routson said. “He’s a threat from the perimeter, but we’re also looking for

him to put the ball on the fl oor. We want him to be more versatile. His experience will defi nitely help us.”

The Eagles have four other return-ing lettermen in seniors Chris Orcutt and Jonathan Bowlus, junior Collin Dewese and sophomores Cade Boos and Cory Coffman. Sophomore point guard Grant Hirzel played in three games last year and aver-aged seven points before missing the rest of the season with a back injury.

“He’s healthy and we’re glad to have him back,” Routson said. “He is really quick and is a good kid. He handles the ball really well and will defi nitely be an asset. He still has to improve with his leadership and vocal abilities, but his basketball sense is very strong.”

Hirzel is scheduled be in the starting lineup along with Nick Coffman, Boos, Dewese and Bowlus.

“We are going to look to Dewese for some points,” Routson said. “He’s a really good shooter who can create off the dribble. He had a good summer for us putting the ball in the basket. Bowlus is going to start (in the post) and Chris Orcutt will come off the bench. It’s important we get rebounding and defense in the post from them. They have to help us rebound, because we will be a little smaller.”

Sophomore guard Cory Coffman will be out until mid-December with a broken foot, according to Routson.

“He’s going to be a spark off the bench for us,” the coach said. “He’s a hard-nosed, tough kid and we’re looking for him to add some depth at the guard position.”

Routson said the Eagles can shoot the ball well across the board, and they have good depth at each position.

“We have youth at each position, but really good chemistry,” he said. “This group gets along very well. That’s been a positive at practice. They are a very hard working, smart group.”

GENOA BOYS ROSTER2 Josiah Bradfield Guard Sophomore5 Jacob Plantz Wing Freshman10 Noah Edwards Wing Sophomore12 Sam Sutter Guard Junior20 Matt Bradfield Wing Junior23 Drew Bench Post Freshman30 Lohgan Mazur Post Senior

GENOA BOYS SCHEDULENov 27 @ Oak HarborDec 4 @ OtsegoDec 8 @ LakotaDec 10 ELMWOODDec 15 @ FostoriaDec 18 EASTWOODDec 29 @ GibsonburgJan 7 WOODMOREJan 9 @ Old FortJan 12 ROSSFORDJan 15 @ Lake

Jan 16 CLYDEJan 21 OTSEGOJan 23 SWANTONJan 26 @ ElmwoodJan 29 @ EastwoodFeb 2 FOSTORIAFeb 5 @ WoodmoreFeb 6 @ Hopewell-LoudonFeb 9 CLAYFeb 12 @ RossfordFeb 19 LAKE

WoodmoreCoach: Aaron Clouse, second yearLast year: 10-13 (6-8, NBC)Key players: Derek Wank, 6-2, Jr., G; Connor Bringman, 6-1, G; Colin Sandrock, 6-1, Sr., C; Ross Weirich, 5-11, Sr., G; Mitch Miller, 5-10, So., G; J.T. Atkins, 5-9, Jr., G; D.J. Wellons, 5-9, Jr., G; Donovan Reyes, 6-0, So., FPreview: There are three players who return that played extensive minutes last year — Wank (5 pts, 2.3 reb.), Bringman (3.1 pts.,

5.3 reb.), and Sandrock (3.6 pts., 2.0 reb.). Bringman, who played primarily in the post last season, will move to his natural guard position, something that should better utilize his talents. He may be again

asked to defend bigger players in the post like he was last season. Some of the newcomers include four guards — Weirich, Miller, Atkins and Wellons — and a forward, Reyes. “The team will need to work hard to replace the seniors. The success of the team will depend upon being able to play as a team,” said second-year coach Aaron Clouse, who previously coached softball before taking over the basketball program. “We are pretty young with only three play-ers in the top two grades with extensive playing experience. “We do not have great size, so we are going to have to work as a team at everything we do. We have lost more than two-thirds of our scoring from last season, so we are go-ing to have to depend on our defense and rebounding to get us through the early stages of the season. Our numbers across the pro-gram are very good. In practice, there has been good teamwork and camaraderie.” That early-season stretch includes four of the fi rst six games on the road. Last year, the Wildcats got off to a fast start, beginning the season 5-1.

Gibsonburg Coach: Brent Liskai 14th yearLast year: 23-1 (16-0, TAAC)Key players: Marcus Tille, 5-11, Sr., G; Mateo Flores, 5-10, Sr., GPreview: Aside from Tille and Flores, this year’s team will see a lot of 6-2 sophomore post player Josh Ernsthausen, as well as

Preston Arriaga, Erik Jahna and several of those players who experienced success on last year’s JV team.

“We don’t have a true big man,” Liskai said. “We’re a very quick team,

not a very big team. Josh fl oats around all over the fl oor, and we’re looking to spread the fl oor and create some opportunities off penetration and ball movement.”

Liskai is also expecting some of those opportunities to come from a full-court pressure defense and an up-tempo offense, which will put the team in good situations to make some plays.

The early season schedule won’t do Gibsonburg any favors as they open at Elmwood, who has all fi ve starters back. Then, they will face Toledo Christian, who will be one of the top picks in the league.

“Hopefully we can knock the dust off and get out of the gate early,” Liskai said.

In addition to the tough early sched-ule, the team got off to a late start due to the football team’s success this year, which included a playoff berth. It’s all part of a nice challenge for the team, though.

“Some teams are going to want a piece of this team based on the last few years,” Liskai said. “We’ll see how they respond. It’s a whole new challenge. The coaches are looking forward to it. The players are, too. The key will be if we can compete on the glass.”

EASTWOOD BOYS ROSTER2 Brian Selhorst 5'10 Guard Senior3 Cory Coffman 5'10 Guard Sophomore4 Cade Boos 5'10 Guard Sophomore5 Grant Hirzel 5'9 Guard Sophomore10 Collin Dewese 6'1 Guard Junior11 Ryan Reiter 6'3 Guard Junior12 Logan Frobose 6'0 Guard Sophomore15 Chris Orcutt 6'3 Post Senior20 Jonathan Bowlus 6'4 Post Senior22 Ryan Salazar 6'3 Post Senior34 Nick Coffman 5'7 Guard Senior

EASTWOOD BOYS SCHEDULENov 27 NEW RIEGELDec 4 @ ElmwoodDec 5 MAUMEEDec 10 FOSTORIADec 15 WOODMOREDec 18 @ GenoaDec 19 TINORADec 28 PORT CLINTONJan 2 @ Sylvania NorthviewJan 7 @ RossfordJan 9 @ Oak Harbor

Jan 12 LAKEJan 15 @ OtsegoJan 21 ELMWOODJan 23 @ GibsonburgJan 26 @ FostoriaJan 29 GENOAFeb 2 @ WoodmoreFeb 5 ROSSFORDFeb 12 @ LakeFeb 16 @ Ottawa HillsFeb 19 OTSEGO

Cardinal StritchCoach: Jamie Kachmarik, second yearLast year: 19-7 (12-4, TAAC)Key players: Trent Besgrove, 5-8, Sr., G; Jordan Burton, 5-9, Fr., G; Jeff Dunsmore, 6-0, So., G; Adam Bruckner, 6-2, Sr., P; Bryce Pratt, 6-4, Jr., FPreview: The 2014-15 Cardinals set a school record with 19 victories, breaking the record of 18, and reached the Division

IV regional semifi nals before falling to Delphos St. John’s. They were also the only team to defeat TAAC champion Gibsonburg, in the district semifi nals, last season.

This year’s lone returning starter is senior point guard

Trent Besgrove, who averaged four points and three assists a game as a junior. Stritch’s other probable starters are freshman guard Jordan Burton, sophomore guard Jeff Dunsmore, senior post Adam Bruckner and senior forward Bryce Pratt.

“Jordan is a quick guard who can score,” Kachmarik said. “Dunsmore is a good outside shooter and a good athlete, and Bruckner plays with a lot of energy and is a physical player. Bryce Pratt has good length and is now transitioning from a pe-rimeter player to an inside player.”

Kachmarik said the team’s strength is that the players play hard and with a lot of energy. He said the Cardinals are “going to have to really try to get after people defen-sively” in the full court and half court.

“We need to be strong in rebounding,” the coach said. “We are a very inexperi-enced team, but our skill level is all right.”

A graduate from Bowling Green State University, Kachmarik previously worked for then-BGSU head coach Jim Larrañaga while earning his degree. Upon graduation, Larrañaga helped Kachmarik get involved and land a job as part of the Jim O’Brien coaching staff at Ohio State, where he was

WOODMORE BOYS ROSTER2 DJ Wellons 5'10 Guard Junior10 Zach Schmeltz 5'6 Guard Junior12 Ross Weirich 5'11 Guard Senior14 Derek Wank 6'2 Guard Junior20 Kevin Paul 5'10 Guard Sophomore22 Chris Klett 6'4 Forward Senior24 Connor Bringman 6'1 Post Senior32 Mitchell Miller 6'1 Guard Sophomore34 Mikey Blausey 6'3 Forward Junior40 Donovan Reyes 6'0 Post Sophomore42 JT Atkin 5'8 Guard Junior43 Colin Sandrock 6'1 Center Senior

WOODMORE BOYS SCHEDULEDec 4 @ LakeDec 5 OAK HARBORDec 10 OTSEGODec 12 @ Port ClintonDec 15 @ EastwoodDec 18 @ ElmwoodDec 19 HOPEWELL- LOUDONDec 21 @ LakotaDec 30 MARGARETTAJan 7 @ Genoa

Jan 9 @ GibsonburgJan 11 FOSTORIAJan 15 @ RossfordJan 21 LAKEJan 26 @ OtsegoJan 29 ELMWOODFeb 2 EASTWOODFeb 5 GENOAFeb 12 @ FostoriaFeb 13 OLD FORTFeb 19 ROSSFORDFeb 23 @ Clay (continued on page B-7)

GIBSONBURG BOYS ROSTER2 Mateo Flores 5'10 Guard Senior3 Erik Jahna 5'10 Guard Senior4 Nick Kille 6'0 Guard Junior5 Trent Picciuto 5'11 Guard Senior11 Marcus Tille 5'11 Guard Senior12 Vinny Alejandro 5'6 Guard Junior15 Alex Richards 6'0 Post Junior20 Addison Weaver 6'1 Wing Freshman21 Ryan Clark 6'0 Post Junior22 Preston Arriaga 5'11 Post Senior30 Tate Carnicom 6'2 Post Junior32 Kane Gomez 5'8 Guard Junior34 Josh Dyer 5'10 Post Senior40 Josh Ernsthausen 6'2 Post Sophomore

GIBSONBURG BOYS SCHEDULEDec 1 @ ElmwoodDec 4 @ Toledo ChristianDec 8 TIFFIN CALVERTDec 11 @ Cardinal StritchDec 19 @ Emmanuel ChristianDec 22 DANBURYDec 29 GENOAJan 8 @ Maumee ValleyJan 9 WOODMOREJan 12 NORTHWOODJan 15 OTTAWA HILLSJan 19 TOLEDO CHRISTIANJan 22 @ Tiffin Calvert

Jan 23 EASTWOODJan 26 CARDINAL STRITCHJan 29 @ DanburyJan 30 @ Fremont St. JosephFeb 1 @ Fostoria St. WendelinFeb 2 EMMANUEL CHRISTIANFeb 6 @ OtsegoFeb 9 MAUMEE VALLEYFeb 12 @ NorthwoodFeb 19 @ Ottawa Hills

B-6 THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015

part of the 1999 fi nal four team and the 2000 Big Ten championship team.

Boys basketball(continued from page B-6)

Northwood Coach: Allen Drake, fi rst yearLast year: 1-22 (0-14, TAAC)Key players: Scott Slater, 5-10, Sr., G; Joey Woody, 5-10, Sr., PG; Dillan Cathers, 6-2, Sr., F; Gavin Fritz, 5-10, Jr., G; Ethan Barnes, 6-4, Jr., F; Nick Bonnette, 6-3, Jr., FPreview: The Rangers are young in key ar-eas, but three returning seniors had signifi -cant playing time a year ago. A few other

seniors, who haven’t played organized ball since junior high, are also on the team.

Drake said the goal is to spread the court on offense, keep the ball moving and take what the defense gives them. Northwood wants to

use a full-court pressure defense and “pret-ty much protect the paint,” according to Drake.

“Our speed and physicality are the team’s strengths,” the coach said. “That’s what we’ve been working on, developing a high level of conditioning so they can stay

CARDINAL STRITCH BOYS ROSTER1 Jeff Dunsmore 6'0 Guard Sophomore2 Marvin Ham, Jr 6'0 Forward Freshman3 Trenton Besgrove 5'8 Guard Senior10 Jordan Burton 5'9 Guard Freshman11 Shaun Enright 6'0 Forward Sophomore12 Andrew Cousino 5'11 Forward Senior20 Matt Szymanski 6'0 Forward Junior21 Alex Adams 6'5 Forward Sophomore22 Kevin Hohenberger 6'1 Forward Senior23 Drew Whipple 5'11 Guard Junior24 Bryce Pratt 6'4 Forward Junior30 Anthony Mildon 6'2 Forward Junior35 Adam Bruckner 6'2 Forward Senior40 Terrance Taylor 6'3 Forward Sophomore

CARDINAL STRITCH BOYS SCHEDULEDec 4 DANBURYDec 5 @ Fremont St. JosephDec 8 @ Emmanuel ChristianDec 11 GIBSONBURGDec 14 MAUMEE VALLEYDec 15 @ EvergreenDec 19 @ NorthwoodDec 22-23 @ Lake Holiday TournamentDec 30 MANSFIELD ST. PETER'SJan 5 @ Ottawa HillsJan 8 @ Toledo Christian

Jan 12 TIFFIN CALVERTJan 15 CLAYJan 19 @ DanburyJan 26 @ GibsonburgJan 29 @ Maumee ValleyFeb 2 NORTHWOODFeb 5 OTTAWA HILLSFeb 9 TOLEDO CHRISTIANFeb 12 @ Tiffin CalvertFeb 16 EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN

at top speed . Also, being able to play more physical than they are used to in years past.”

The Rangers’ returning starters in-clude Joey Woody, Dillan Cathers and Nick Bonnette. Scott Slater, a starter last year, will come off the bench this season. Drake said Bonnette and Cathers are the team’s “biggest guys” and will be looked upon to be the enforcers.

“They’ve taken the role of protect-ing the other players,” Drake said. “Joey Woody and Gavin Fritz are guys we’ll look to to keep pressure on with their speed and their ability to score offensively. We’re looking for Scott Slater to be our leader and our captain. He’s been one of the guys who has been very vocal during camp.”

N

NORTHWOOD BOYS ROSTER1 Dillan Cathers 6'0 Forward Senior5 Joey Woody 5'6 Guard Senior10 Scott Slater 5'8 Guard Senior11 Gavin Fritz 5'7 Guard Junior12 Evan LaPlante 5'9 Guard Junior13 Marco Kelly 5'7 Guard Junior20 Brandon Lampros 5'7 Guard Junior21 Colin Gutekunst 6'0 Forward Senior22 Chance Saar 6'0 Forward Junior23 Gabe LaPlante 5'11 Guard Sophomore30 Ethan Barnes 6'1 Forward Junior32 Nick Bonnette 6'0 Forward Junior33 James Thompson 6'4 Center Senior

NORTHWOOD BOYS SCHEDULEDec 1 @ EvergreenDec 8 @ Ottawa HillsDec 11 TOLEDO CHRISTIANDec 14 @ Tiffin CalvertDec 19 CARDINAL STRITCHDec 23 ARCADIADec 29 LAKEJan 5 @ DanburyJan 8 EMMANUEL CHRISTIANJan 12 @ GibsonburgJan 15 MAUMEE VALLEY

Jan 22 OTTAWA HILLSJan 26 @ Toledo ChristianFeb 2 @ Cardinal StritchFeb 5 DANBURYFeb 6 @ North BaltimoreFeb 9 @ Emmanuel ChristianFeb 12 GIBSONBURGFeb 13 MONTPELIERFeb 16 @ Monclova ChristianFeb 19 @ Maumee Valley

Drake added that Ethan Barnes, a role player on the junior varsity team last sea-son, has been a surprise.

“Defensively, I think he’ll be our an-chor and the reason we’ll be as success-ful as we want to be based on his efforts,” Drake said. “He’s going to be required to do a lot, and we’ll see if can he handle it over 22 or 23 games.”

Oak HarborCoach: Eric Sweet, fi fth yearLast year: 5-18 (2-10, SBC)Key players: Jeff Winterfi eld, 5-10, Jr., PG; Matt Harris, 6-0, Jr., W; Collin Hayslett, 5-11, Sr., W; Alec Young, 6-5, Sr., P; Tate Smith, 6-5, So, P; Alex Gezo, 5-10, So., G.; Raymon Behlmer, 5-8, Jr., W; James Malin, 5-10, Sr., W; Aric McAtee, 6-3, So., W/P Preview: This year, the starting lineup will feature junior Jeff Winterfi eld, who will play point guard, with fellow junior

Matt Harris and senior Collin Hayslett on the wings and senior Alec Young and sophomore Tate Smith manning the post. Winterfi eld, Hayslett and Young are returning start-ers, but they’re the only re-

turning letter winners on the club. Sweet believes these players bring a lot

OAK HARBOR BOYS ROSTER0 Tristan Varga 5'8 Wing Junior1 Matt Harris 6'0 Wing Junior3 Raymon Behlmer 5'8 Wing Junior4 Alex Gezo 5'10 Guard Sophomore5 Jeff Winterfield 5'10 Guard Junior11 James Malin 5'10 Wing Senior12 Preston Portales 5'9 Wing Junior14 Collin Hayslett 5'11 Wing Senior23 Aric McAtee 6'3 Wing Sophomore24 Cy Franck 6'1 Post Junior35 Tate Smith 6'5 Post Sophomore42 Alec Young 6'5 Post Senior

OAK HARBOR BOYS SCHEDULENov 27 GENOANov 28 @ LakeDec 4 @ EdisonDec 5 @ WoodmoreDec 12 HURONDec 18 @ ClydeDec 19 FREMONT ST. JOSEPHDec 22 SANDUSKY ST. MARYDec 30 @ PerkinsJan 5 @ LakotaJan 8 @ Margaretta

Jan 9 EASTWOODJan 15 PORT CLINTONJan 16 EDISONJan 22 TIFFIN COLUMBIANJan 23 @ HuronJan 29 CLYDEJan 30 @ Old FortFeb 9 PERKINSFeb 12 MARGARETTAFeb 13 @ BellevueFeb 19 @ Port Clinton

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to the table. “Jeff Winterfi eld is a strong athletic player. He is running the point for the team this year and has done a good job so far. He is strong with the ball and is able to be a scorer when needed. Matt Harris is a scorer and a defender and has had a great start to the season,” Sweet said. “Hayslett is our X-factor. His speed and athleticism are hard to match. He’s a senior and he’s playing and acting like a senior on the court. Alec Young is back for his senior year and is playing a stretch four/post for us. He is having a good preseason so far. He is able to stretch the fl oor by shooting some jump shots. Tate Smith is coming on strong. He shoots it well from 15 feet, has nice post moves and rebounds well.” There are also reinforcements on the bench. Sophomore guard Alex Gezo, who is currently injured, will provide shooting upon his return. Junior Raymon Behlmer can play the wing or the post positions, as does senior James Malin, and sophomore Aric McAtee provides some athleticism and scoring. “Alex Gezo has been hurt most of the preseason and is getting healthier but is still out. We are looking forward to his return. Ray is a scrappy defender and re-bounder, James is a utility player who can go into a spot and play it well and Aric is long and athletic and knows how to score,” Sweet said.

Northwood veteran junior guard Evan LaPlante. (Press fi le photo by Don Thompson/Facebook.com/DNRsport)

THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015 B-7

B-8 THE PRESS NOVEMBER 30, 2015

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