MOVE TO THE HOOP … Evergreen’s Mason Loeffler drives the lane in the Vikings District Semifinal game against Genoa in March. (FILE PHOTO)
By: Nate Calvin
Traditional powers Archbold and Wauseon will both have new faces in new roles this season which may open door for someone else to be the frontrunner in the league race.
Evergreen figures to be one of those teams as they have five seniors and will have two four-year starters for coach Jerry Kieffer. Bryan looks to be another team to watch with six returning letterwinners and will have tremendous size with players measuring 6’7” and 6’6” on the interior.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1.Archbold (23-1, 7-0 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III District Semifinal to Coldwater 35-34)
Head Coach: Joe Frank (2nd Season)
Letterwinners Lost From Last Year: Rigo Ramos, Austin Wiemken, Jeron Williams, A.J. Mahnke
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Elijah Zimmerman (9.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg); Ethan Hagans (3.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg); Noah Cheney (2.1 ppg)
Newcomers: Jr.-Trey Theobald, Jr.-Noah Gomez; Jr.-Kobe Kennedy; Jr.-Austin Roth; So.-DJ Newman; Fr.-Alex Roth
There will be plenty of meaningful playing time available this season as Archbold adjusts to the graduation of six seniors, including four starters. “We have high character young men who are willing to work to become a highly competitive team. This team is eager to leave its own mark on the Archbold basketball program”, said second-year coach Joe Frank.
Archbold will hang their hat on defense as they look to continue their success on that end of the floor as they held teams to 43.1 ppg and 39% shooting from the field last season.
Frank knows that that may struggle on offense at times this season as they look to define new roles on this year’s team. “This year, like always, the key to our season will be our defense. Our ability to guard and rebound the basketball to finish possessions will go along way in determining how successful we will be this season. We do have some key personnel back, but how each player adjusts to their role will be huge”, commented Frank.
Frank is looking for the NWOAL to be competitive as always with Evergreen, Wauseon, and Bryan competing for the league title. “We feel that we will compete well in the NWOAL and hope to be playing our best ball at the end of the season and to make a tourney run”, he concluded.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Due to the playoff run by the football team the regular season opener is tentatively scheduled for December 5th when the Edgerton Bulldogs come to The Thunderdome. The Bluestreaks will start their NWOAL schedule on January 9th when they host their Fulton County rivals the Wauseon Indians.
2. Wauseon (18-5, 6-1 in NWOAL; Lost in Division II Sectional Final to Van Wert 57-54)
Head Coach: Chad Burt (12th Season)
Players Lost From Last Season: Levi Seiler (17.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg); Trent Armstrong (16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.o apg); Trevor Rodriguez (5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Garrett Smith, Zac Carroll, Dylan Michael
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Sean Brock (9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Sr.-Noah Tester (5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Jr.-Connar Penrod (2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Jr. Isaac Wilson; Jr.-Tyson Britsch; So.-Jonas Tester (2.0 ppg)
Newcomers: Sr.-Owen King; Jr.-Noah Sauber; Jr.-Easton Delgado; Jr.-Kolton DeGroff; Jr. Jacob Hageman; So.-Clay Stump; So.-Carson Burt, So.-Krue Powers; So.-Matthew Shaw
Wauseon will be looking to replace six seniors to graduation as they begin the 2019-2020 season. That includes three starters for Chad Burt’s team that will lean on their overall athleticism to try and continue the success the program has had in recent years, a run that includes winning 18 games or more the past eight seasons.
“It will not be easy to replace those seniors”, said Burt when previewing the season. “Team ball handling will be a point of emphasis and a major concern. We will need to continue to develop our perimeter skills to be successful offensively. Rebounding at both ends of the floor is a major concern also as we lack overall height. We have a lot of new faces in new roles, but the kids are eager to compete and establish themselves at the varsity level”, added Burt.
As far as the NWOAL this season, Burt considers Archbold to be the league favorite with Evergreen and Bryan close behind.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The season begins for Wauseon on December 7th with a trip to Fairview and the Indians will be challenged right away in NWOAL play as they head to Archbold on January 9th to start the league schedule.
3. Evergreen (20-5, 5-2 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III District Semifinal to Genoa 47-37)
Head Coach: Jerry Keifer (28th Season)
Letterwinners Lost From Last Year: Chandler Lumbrezer (9.8 ppg); Bryce Hudik (9.7 ppg); Nick Borojevich (6.2 ppg); Zach Lumbrezer (2.9 ppg)
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Mason Loeffler (15.1 ppg); Sr.-Nate Brighton (10.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg); Sr.-Jack Etue (3.0 ppg); Sr.-Shane Ruetz (1.0 ppg); Sr.-CJ Hauk (1.8 ppg)
Newcomers: So.-Ethan Loeffler; So.-Evan Lumbrezer; Jr.-Austin Lumbrezer; Jr.-Dylan Hickerson
With five seniors returning, the Evergreen Vikings are considered by many to be the favorites in the NWOAL this year. Evergreen will feature two four-year starters and will have good size led by Nate Brighton (6’5”) and Mason Loeffler (6’4’).
“We lost our two primary ball handlers from last year and will have two new point guards getting their first varsity experience”, said Kieffer when discussing this year’s team. “We believe we can build on the season we had last year and continue to work hard and compete for a league title”.
Kieffer thinks there are four or five teams with a legitimate shot at the league championship.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Evergreen will hos Ottawa Hills on December 2nd in their season opener and will start NWOAL play on January 9th at Liberty Center.
4. Liberty Center (10-14, 3-4 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III Sectional Final to Archbold 74-59)
Head Coach: Greg Badenhop (8th Season)
Letterwinners Lost From Last Season: Conner Sonnenberg (5.0 ppg, 2.9 apg); CJ Spradlin (4.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg); Gabe Hinton (3.4 ppg, 1.2 apg); Brady Gerken (3.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Bryce Bailey (1.4 ppg); Manny Keller (1.0 ppg); Jarret Krugh; Austin Like
Returning Lettermen: Carter Burdue (14.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg); Trent Murdock (9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Camden Krugh (9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Aaron Shafer (Missed last season die to injury; lettered as sophomore)
Other Returners: Sr.-Conner Keller; Jr.-Trey Patterson; Jr.-Max Phillips; Jr. Evan Hogrefe; Jr.-Noah Collins
The Tigers return their top three scorers from last season which is a luxury head coach Greg Badenhop hasn’t experienced before in his time as the leader of the Liberty Center program.
“Our versatility, athleticism, and ability to score the ball multiple ways with different people will be our strengths”, said Badenhop.
Liberty Center will be faced with replacing their best defensive players who graduated and they will have to fill roles around their three leading scorers according to Badenhop. “Another big concern coming into this season is health. Wehave to stay healthy this season if we want to reach our ceiling”, he added.
Badenhop hopes to be able to build off the success of the football program with a majority of his players will come straight to basketball from football. When talking about the NWOAL this season, he expects the league race to be wide open with five or six team having a case to be considered the league favorite.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Liberty Center’s season opener on November 29th against Holgate has been postponed due to the playoff run by the Tigers football team. League play starts on January 9th for Liberty Center at home against Evergreen.
5. Swanton (11-13, 3-4 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III Sectional Final to Evergreen 55-41)
Head Coach: Joel Visser (2nd Season)
Letterwinners Lost From Last Year: Randy Slink (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Jared Wilson 12.0 ppg, 2.5 apg); Dylan Gilsdorf (5.0 ppg, 3.0 apg); Hunter Mix (9.2 ppg); Dean Croskey (1.5 ppg)
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Brendan Keith; Sr.-Justyn Bartlett (2.0 ppg); Sr.-Jake Crow; Jr.-Andrew Thornton (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Jr.-Josh Vance (6.0 ppg, 2.0 apg)
Newcomers: Jr.-Trent Weigel, Jr.-Blake Szalapski, Jr.-Anthony Puarte; Jr.-Corey Becker; Jr.-Brendan Pelland
Second year Head Coach Joel Visser has a young squad returning this year as the Bulldogs will need to replace their top two scorers from a year ago. Swanton will turn to their team defense and overall depth as they try to establish new leadership and find team chemistry.
“Overall we have quality young talen that needs to learn roles and how to play together”, commented Visser.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Swanton plays at Lake on November 30th to open the season and will host Bryan on January 9th to start the NWOAL portion of their schedule.
6. Bryan (13-11, 2-5 in NWOAL; Lost in Division II Sectional Final to Elida 62-44)
Head Coach: Brandon Fisher (4th Season)
Letterwinners Lost From Last Year: Adam Queen (2.4 ppg); Drew Peters (2.8 ppg); Connor Shirkey (6.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Conner Lemons (4.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
Returning Letterwinners: Jr.-Canon Lamberson (1.2 ppg); Jr.-Titus Rohrer (9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Sr.-Caleb Zuver (9.6 ppg); Sr.-Reese Jackson (8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Sr.-Austin Dean (0.4 ppg); Sr.-Connor Arthur (7.2 ppg, 2.7 apg)
Newcomers: Jr.-Braiden Showalter, So.-Craig Jackson, Jr.-Keith Huard
The Golden Bears will be a tall and experience group this season for Brandon Fisher with six players returning that have played meaningful varsity minutes. Resse Jackson (6’7”) leads a formidable front line along with forwards Caleb Zuver (6’3”) and Canon Lamberson (6’3”) while Titus Rohrer (6’6”) will hold down the middle.
“I know it sounds weird with our length, but we need to rebound the ball better. Last year we had some good defensive possessions that didn’t pan out because we didn’t rebound well at times. We also have had some injuries that has hurt our overall depth. We need to get healthy and stay healthy and right now that’s a major concern”, said Fisher, who’s beginning his fourth season as the Bryan head coach.
Overall, Fisher is encouraged by what he saw during the summer and expects the three seniors on the roster to be the team leaders which is something he knows they can do.
“The NWOAL will be very competitive again with Evergreen bringing back a lot of talent. Archbold and Wauseon will be very good as always but every team in our league is well coached and that is something that stands out when you look at our league scheduled”, concluded Fisher.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Bryan will open the season at home against Tinora on November 30th and they will start league play on January 9th at Swanton.
7. Delta (6-17, 1-6 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III Sectional Semifinals to Northwood 45-42)
Coach: Derek Sheridan (2nd season)
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Braden Risner, Sr.-Hunter Tresnan-Reighard; Jr.-Mike Eckenrode, Jr.-Hunter Hamilton; So.-Josh Tresnan-Reighard
Newcomers: Sr.-Guillermo Asensio; Jr.-Chase Stickley, Jr.-Nick Mazurowski; So.-Alex Hodge, So.-Todd Sackschewsky; Fr.-Bryce Gillen, Fr.-Briar Knapp, Fr.-Nolan Risner, Fr.-James Ruple
Derek Sheridan begins his second season as head coach at and will look to build of last year’s 6-17 record. With only three seniors, a lack of experience will be a concern for this year’s team. Sheridan views the team chemistry and their overall work ethic has positives entering the 2019-20 season.
“We will have to rely on team defense and rebounding in order to be competitive. Offensively, we will need to be fundamentally sound and role oriented to be successfully”, commented Sheridan. The Delta coach expects the NWOAL to be wide open this year, stating he looks for another season where the league title will be shared.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The Panthers start the season on November 29th at Jones Leadership Academy and will start NWOAL play on January 9th at Patrick Henry.
8. Patrick Henry (6-17, 1-6 in NWOAL; Lost in Division IV Sectional Finals to Arlington 54-51 (2OT)
Head Coach: CJ Holman
Lettermen Lost From Last Year: Kaiden McGraw (12.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Christian Peterson (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Axel Shanks (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Logan Schweibert; Brice Prigge
Returning Letterwinners: Sr.-Kolton Hollaway (7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Sr.-Hunter Dean (5.0 ppg, 5 rpg); Sr.-Garrett Schweibert (2.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Sr.-Kace Jackson (2.0 ppg); Jr.-Jayden Schulze (2.6 ppg); Jr.-Caleb Rosengarten
Newcomers: Sr. Noah Almanza; Jr.-Layhe Crossland; Jr. Gage Seemann
With the continued success of the football team the Patriots have yet to have their full compliment of players. After going 6-17 last season, Head Coach CJ Holman is looking for big things. “We expect to have a turn around year with our defense leading us as we look to be competitive every night”.
Holman likes the versatility of this year’s team and is encouraged by the size and athleticism throughout the roster. “We will need to improve our shooting and guys will have to adjust to new roles”, added Holman.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Due to the football team advancing to State Semifinals the first three games on the Patriots schedule have been postponed. As of now they are scheduled to open the season on December 20th at Tinora.
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
