WAUSEON LEADING SCORER … Wauseon senior Marisa Seiler puts up a shot against Archbold last season. Seiler is one of seven returning letterwinners for Wauseon as they look to challenge defending league champion Bryan. (FILE PHOTO)
By: Nate Calvin
Defending league champion Bryan lost five letterwinners off last season’s squad but return a strong nucleus and add a strong contingent from an undefeated JV team last year.
Wauseon and their seven returning letterwinners figure to be one of Bryan’s prime challengers this season.
Marisa Seiler (19.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg) leads the Indian attack this year but a key for Wauseon will be to stay healthy as they lack depth and will depend on younger players to provide minutes off the bench.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the BBC last season.
1. Bryan (Last Season: 19-4 overall, 7-0 in NWOAL; Lost in Division II district finals to Napoleon 40-28)
HEAD COACH: Todd Grosjean (7th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Shallyn Miley (10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg); McKenry Semer (10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Kloee Antigo (3.0 ppg, 3 rpg); Brooke Lamberson (5.0 ppg, 2.7 apg); Bre Long (3.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Addie Arnold (6.0 ppg); Sr.-Delilah Taylor (4.0 ppg); Sr.-Allie Zimmerman (3.0 ppg); Jr.-Reese Grothaus (11.0 ppg); So.-Kailee Thiel; So.-Ella Voight, Jr.-Blayze Langenderfer
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores-Kailee Thiel, Ella Voight, Ella Rau, Marah Smith; Juniors-Blayze Langenderfer, Ella Miller
STRENGTHS: Good returning nucleus; athletic; depth; quickness
WEAKNESSES: rebounding; leadership lost to graduation; need to find defensive stopper
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We will need some underclassmen to step in and fill some roles that were vacated from last year’s team. We will again hang our hat on our defense and hopefully our defense will keep us in games.”
“We have a very challenging non-league schedule this season with Marion Local, Lima Bath, Napoleon, Liberty Benton St. Marys, Van Wert, and Lake.
“The NWOAL will be competitive, and every team returns outstanding players. Liberty Center, Archbold, Wauseon and Evergreen have all league players returning. Patrick Henry has some very talented young players. Swanton and Delta graduated some very good players but can’t be overlooked. It should be a very competitive NWOAL schedule.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Bryan starts the season on November 19th in the Kewpee Tip Off Classic at Lima Bath and start league on December 17th at home versus Swanton.
2. Wauseon (Last Season: 15-6 overall, 5-2 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinal to Archbold 29-27)
HEAD COACH: Dan Seiler (4th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Chelsie Raabe
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr-Marissa Seiler (19.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Sr.-Kadence Carroll (HM District 7); Sr.-Autumn Pelok (2.4 apg, 2nd Team NWOAL); Sr.-Ellie Rodriguez; Sr.-Madison Strauss; Jr.-Hayley Meyer (FT%-73.3, FG%-53.5); So.-Kaylin Ehrsam
STRENGTHS: Seven returning letterwinners
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have experienced players coming back and are looking to become more competitive in every game, stay healthy and utilize our returning 7 letterwinners to help grow the underclassman.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Wauseon starts the season at Archbold on November 26th for the nonconference matchup between the rivals before hosting Archbold on December 17th to start league play.
3. Delta (Last Season: 17-7 overall, 5-2 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III regional semifinals to Ottawa-Glandorf 49-21)
HEAD COACH: Kelsey Gillen (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Brooklyn Green, Reagan Rouleau, Braelyn Wymer, Brooklyn Wymer, Ella Ford
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Jersey Irelan; Jr.-Khloe Weber; Jr.-Sophia Burress; So.-Grace Munger; So.-Olivia Smith
NEWCOMERS: So.-Alani Haas; So. Kate Friess; So.-Ashlyn Lamb; So.-Olivia Turi; Fr.-Kendall Sprow
STRENGTHS: Decent team speed
WEAKNESSES: Very young team, only 3 upperclassmen
SEASON OUTLOOK: “With all new coaching staff and a very young team we are looking to compete in every game and grow as a team throughout the season.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The Panthers host Swanton on November 19th in a nonconference game and will open their NWOAL schedule at Patrick Henry on December 17th.
4. Swanton (Last Season: 16-9 overall, 4-3 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III district semifinals to Elmwood 55-39)
HEAD COACH: Eric Oakes (7th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Averie Lutz (13.2 ppg, 4.2 RPG); Aricka Lutz (13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg); Madalyn Peluso; Samantha Taylor; Emma Operacz
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Frankie Nelson (7.9 ppg; 6.0 rpg); Katlyn Floyd (2.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Trista Eitniear; Alaina Pelland; Ashley Keaton; Megan Haselman; Jayden Hendricks
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Fr.-Allison Fagerman; So.-Olivia Gowing; So. Emma Crow
STRENGTHS: eight seniors; team quickness; decent height; strong defensively
WEAKNESSES: shooting; inexperienced
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I think as we get into the season we will continue to improve offensively and hope to be competitive throughout the year.”
“The league has some very strong teams this year and will be a tough test for us every game. I think Wauseon, Bryan, Archbold will have the best shot at the league title, Liberty Center and Evergreen should be strong also. Delta, Swanton, PH all replacing key players.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Swanton travels to Delta on November 19th for their nonconference meeting open the season and begin NWOAL play on December 17th at Bryan.
5. Archbold (Last Season: 12-11 overall, 4-3 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III district semifinals to Swanton 39-24)
HEAD COACH: Brian Ziegler (14th Season)
SEASON OUTLOOK: No information submitted
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Archbold will begin the season on November 20th at Hicksville and will travel to Wauseon on December 17th to start league play.
6. Liberty Center (13-9 overall, 2-5 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinals to Swanton 43-32)
HEAD COACH: Tim Davis (8th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Cassidy Chapa (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Samantha Engler (2.1 ppg); Samantha Graber (8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg); EricaRae Herrick; Sophie Long (1.9 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Kate Mohler (5.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg); Jr.-Peyton Armey (4.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg); Jr.-Alyssa Giesige (4.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Lucy Jones (6.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg); Jr.-Haley Mohler
NEWCOMERS: Sr.-Hannah Wachtman; Jr.-Laney Krugh; Sophomores-Bea Barrett, Kailey Blanton, Emersyn Gerken, Emerson Gray, Eliz Jones, Nicole Keller, Gracie Miller, Elle Mohler, Molly Perry
STRENGTHS: Depth/length/scoring options
WEAKNESSES: Inexperience at the varsity level
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We feel we can be very competitive with the little bit of experience back and the potential of our younger players. Even with the loss of a lot of experience.”
“Our youth is talented enough for us to have great success. The league will be very competitive each night. I feel there are multiple teams who could come out on top.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Liberty Center heads to Paulding on November 19th and goes to Evergreen on December 17th for their league opener.
7. Patrick Henry (Last Season: 1-22 overall, 1-6 in NWOAL; Lost in Division IV sectional semifinal to Miller City 42-16)
HEAD COACH: Justin Sonnenberg (3rd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Mckenzie Vance (8.5 ppg); Kayla Prigge (7.3 ppg); Trista Fintel (2.4 ppg); Jenna Musto; Sam Johnson (2.4 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sr.-Brooke Bostelman; Sr.-Ella Meyer; Jr.-Maddison Prigge (4.4 ppg); So.-Karsyn Weber (6.4 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Sr.-Kayla Kruse; Sr.-Kyleigh Breece; Jr.-Katie Johnson; So.-Kya Seemann; So.-Kenzie Prigge
STRENGTHS: Overall quickness
WEAKNESSES: Lack of experience; no height
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We must continue to work hard and improve. I expect Bryan and Wauseon to be at the top of the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: The Lady Patriots start the 2021-22 campaign at home against Division II state champion Napoleon on November 19th and will start their NWOAL schedule at home against Delta on December 17th.
8. Evergreen (Last season: 8-14 overall, 0-5 in NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Eastwood 67-51)
HEAD COACH: Brittaney Cymbolin (7th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Jordan Lumbrezer (8.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg); Morgan Foster (7.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Rebekah Bowser (11.3 ppg); Sydney Woodring (5.9 ppg); Jocelyn Schuster (5.7 ppg); Macy Chamberlin (6.1 ppg); Jessica Riggs
NEWCOMERS: Addison Ricker, Lucy Serna, Lydia Valentine
STRENGTHS: Work ethic; ability to work together
WEAKNESSES: Depth and rebounding
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking forward to the season and will be working hard towards controlling the controllable. “
“We know our league will be tough, so we will need to focus on doing the little things well and doing our best to be successful one play at a time.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Evergreen starts the season at Lake on November 19th and will host Liberty Center on December 17th in their NWOAL opener.
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com
