KEY BLUESTREAK … Archbold’s 6’5” senior center Ashton Kammeyer goes to basket against Cardinal Stritch in last year’s district semifinals against Cardinal Stritch. Kammeyer figures to play a key role for Archbold this season as they look to bring home another league title. (FILE PHOTO)
By: Nate Calvin
The NWOAL will have some new faces on the sidelines this year with Swanton, Delta, and Bryan welcoming in new head coaches.
In Swanton’s case their new coach has plenty of experience in the league. New mentor Bruce Smith spent time as the head coach at Delta and has had recent stints as an assistant at Evergreen and Swanton.
Reigning league champion Archbold figures to be in mix when it comes to the league race as they return six letterwinners from last year’s regional semifinal team.
Chad Burt’s Wauseon Indians will look to continue their run of success, but it will be a challenge this year as they look to replace seven seniors.
A team that will not have that problem are the Evergreen Vikings. Veteran coach Jerry Kiefer returns all five starters for this first time in his coaching career with a total of six letterwinners back from a team that finished third in the NWOAL.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1. Archbold (Last season 21-5, 7-0 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III regional semifinals to Ottawa-Glandorf 52-48)
HEAD COACH: Joe Frank (4th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Noah Gomez, Trey Theobald, Austin Roth
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-DJ Newman (11.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Sr.-Ashton Kammeyer (7.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Sr.-Brady Johns (1.6 ppg); Sr.-Tyler Hurst (2.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg); Sr.-Gavin Bailey; Jr.-Alex Roth (10.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores-Cade Brenner, Jayden Seiler
STRENGTHS: Experience; overall team speed / quickness; work ethic; senior leadership
WEAKNESSES: No proven defensive stoppers; communication
SEASON OUTLOOK: “As is the case with each team, identifying and defining roles will be important. This team has a lot of experience, but we are missing our best 2 defenders from last year’s squad.”
“We are looking for players to step up and be willing to fill the role that they are asked to play for this team.”
“I think we will be able to score but our priority will always be on the defensive end. Our success will hinge on our ability to consistently guard and rebound the ball.”
“Our schedule will be a challenging one, but we are confident it will prepare us well for the tourney trail.”
“The NWOAL will be as balanced as it has been in years. Each game will be a challenge with quality coaches and players representing all of the schools in the NWOAL.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Due to the extended football season, the Bluestreaks opener has been pushed back to December 2nd at home against Edgerton and NWOAL action will start on January 6th at Patrick Henry.
2. Wauseon (Last season: 18-5 overall, 6-1 in NWOAL; Lost in Division II district semifinals to St. Marys 58-43)
HEAD COACH: Chad Burt (14th Season)
PLAYERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Connor Penrod, Kolton DeGroff, Isaac Wilson, Tyson Britsch, Easton Delgado, Jacob Hageman, Noah Sauber
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Jonas Tester (14.6 ppg); Jr.-Jude Armstrong (2.1 ppg); Sr.-Carson Burt; Sr.-Matt Shaw; Sr.-Krue Powers
NEWCOMERS: Juniors-JT Gleckler, Ethan Borton, Landon Hines, Jack Leatherman; Sophomores-Tyson Rodriguez, Elijah McLeod
STRENGTHS: Hard working group
WEAKNESSES: Inexperience; ball handling; lack of height
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have many new faces in new roles. We have won 17 or more games for 8 years in a row and have a group of kids that are eager to compete and establish themselves at the varsity level.”
“We are inexperienced in some key positions, but they are a coachable group and will continue to grow and develop as the season progresses.”
“Overall, the league will be as balanced and competitive as it has been in a long time with a number of teams capable of winning the league title.”
“Archbold has tremendous athletes and a large core returning.” Evergreen, Swanton, and Liberty Center all have tremendous talent returning. Bryan, Delta, and PH will all be improved and capable of challenging on a nightly basis.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The Indians will start the season at Anthony Wayne on November 30th and will travel to Bryan for the NWOAL opener on January 6th.
3. Evergreen (Last season: 16-7 overall, 4-3 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinals to Otsego 39-36-OT)
HEAD COACH: Jerry Kiefer (29th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Austin Lumbrezer (2.6 ppg); Jake Fuller (2.3 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors-Evan Lumbrezer, Brock Hudik, Ethan Loeffler, RJ Shunck; Sophomores-Eli Kiefer, Tyson Woodring
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores-Drew Gillen, Ryder Hudik
STRENGTHS: Experience
WEAKNESSES: Rebounding
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have six returning letter winners and 5 starters back from last year, first time in 29 years I return my starting five.” “We need to work to improve rebounding the basketball at both ends of the court. We hope to contend for a NWOAL league title.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The Vikings open at home versus Clay on November 26th and will start their NWOAL schedule at home with Swanton on January 6th.
4. Swanton (Last season: 14-10 overall, 4-3 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Ottawa Hills 34-33)
HEAD COACH: Bruce Smith (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Andrew Thornton (12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg); Trent Wiegel (6.1 ppg); Josh Vance (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cole Mitchey (6.7 ppg); Hayden Callicotte (2.8 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Nic Borojevich; Luc Borojevich (both played at Rossford last year)
STRENGTHS: Defense; quickness
WEAKNESSES: Three-point shooting
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We expect to be solid defensively with good perimeter quickness. If our big guys can develop, we should be competitive.”
“We also need our three-point shooters to become more consistent. We expect to be in the thick of the league race if we can stay healthy.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Swanton travels to Lake on November 26th and play at Evergreen on January 6th to start NWOAL play.
5. Liberty Center (Last season: 12-11 in overall, 4-3 in NWOAL; Lost in the Division III sectional finals to Archbold 36-34)
HEAD COACH: Greg Badenhop (10th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Camden Krugh (8.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Trey Patterson (6.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Max Phillips (1.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Evan Conrad (8.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Sr.-Wyatt Leatherman (10.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Sr.-Isaiah Estelle (2.7 ppg); Sr.-Dakota Schultz (3.9 ppg); Matthew Orr (1.5 ppg); Jr.-Aiden Hammontree (1.5 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Sr.-Jake Spieth, Jr.-Riley Chapa; Sr.-Teejay Moore; Jr.-Josiah Johnson; Large group of sophomores
STRENGTHS: Size / Length; shooting; good depth
WEAKNESSES: Ball handling; more perimeter shooters
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are once again hoping to build off the tremendous success our football team has had this season.”
“Majority of our players come to us from football, so they already understand what type of commitment, energy, & toughness it takes for a team to be successful.”
“It is our goal to take that same mindset & keep it rolling into basketball season.
“I believe the NWOAL will once again be very balanced. You have about five or six teams that all could make a case as to why they are the best team in the league.”
“It’s going to be a nightly battle in the league no matter the opponent.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: With the football team still going in the playoffs the Tiger’s opening game is tentatively set for December 4th at Ottawa-Glandorf with the NWOAL opener set for January 6th at Delta.
6. Bryan (Last season: 4-17, 2-5 in NWOAL; Lost in Division II sectional semifinal to Napoleon 52-33)
HEAD COACH: Brock Homier (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Canon Lamberson, Titus Rohrer, Keith Huard, Decota Shaw, Braiden Showalter, AJ Martinez
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Evan Cox, Craig Jackson, Carter Brown
NEWCOMERS: Jase Kepler, Maddox Langenderfer, Sam Herold, Carter Dominique, Ayden Pelz, Joe Watson
STRENGTHS: Work ethic; athletic
WEAKNESSES: Experience and size;
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking to get better every single day we are in the gym. We are going to pride ourselves on our energy, attitude, and effort.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Bryan hosts Tinora on November 27th and will host Wauseon on January 6th in their NWOAL opener.
7. Patrick Henry (Last season: 7-16 overall, 0-6 in NWOAL; Lost in Division IV sectional semifinals to Lincolnview 61-45)
HEAD COACH: Bryan Hieber (2nd Season)
SEASON OUTLOOK: Requested information not submitted
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Patrick Henry will welcome Napoleon on November 26th to get the season started and the NWOAL schedule starts at home on January 6th against defending league champion Archbold.
8. Delta (Last season: 2-20 overall, 0-6 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinals to Liberty Center 35-20)
HEAD COACH: Matt Brighton (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Chase Stickley (6.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Nick Mazurowski (1.5 ppg); Todd Sackschewsky (1.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors-Josh Tresnan-Reighard; DJ Davis; Alex Hodge; Juniors-Bryce Gillen (7.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Bryer Knapp (3.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Nolan Risner (5.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg); James Ruple (5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg); So.-Justin Ruple
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores-Jude Gibbons, Reece Vardin, Luke Renhard, Valentin Aybar, Freshmen-John Brasher, Wyatt Gibbons, Felipe Aranjo, Walter Hallett, Ethan Huffman, Brady Morr; Brodey Roth, Slade Young
STRENGTHS: Experience; Work ethic; team depth
WEAKNESSES: Overall size
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have many experienced players returning which includes four starters from the previous year. Rebounding & scoring-by-committee will be imperative for us.”
“The NWOAL is a very competitive league with good coaches and players who execute. Additionally, the NWOAL is a league where the play is physical, and that has helped guide our off-season workouts.”
“We have worked hard in the weight room as well as finishing around the basket. We are hoping that the work our players have put in this off-season helps us compete with other teams in our league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Delta faces Pettisville at home on November 26th to open the season and will open the NWOAL portion of their schedule on January 6th at home versus Liberty Center.
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com
