DEFENDING LEAGUE CHAMPIONS … Bryan’s Reese Grothaus takes a jumper in the lane at Wauseon. Grothaus is one of six returning letterwinners for the Golden Bears, who are considered the frontrunners in the NWOAL this year. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
Despite losing six players from last year’s league championship team, the Bryan Golden Bears are looked at as the team to beat in the NWOAL.
Reese Grothaus (11.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg last year) is among six returning letterwinners for Bryan along with Anna Gray, a transfer from Tinora who was 2nd team GMC last season.
Liberty Center is considered to be one of the top challengers to Bryan as they return nine letterwinners from a 14-10 team last season.
The Tigers Henry County rival Patrick Henry also looks to be in the mix as they feature a young team but are welcoming in a freshmen class that was very successful at the junior high level.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1. Bryan (Last Season: 18-5, 7-0 NWOAL; Lost in Division II sectional finals to St. Marys 39-29)
HEAD COACH: Todd Grosjean (16th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Addie Arnold (8.0 ppg), Delilah Taylor (9.0 ppg), Allie Zimmerman (3.0 ppg), Brooke Taylor (3.0 ppg), Lexi Alspaugh (2.0 ppg), Ellyn Murphy (3.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Reese Grothaus (11.7 ppg, 3.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds); Blayze Langenderfer (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Juniors – Kailee Thiel (7.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg); Ella Vogt (5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Ella Rau (4.0 ppg); Marah Smith
NEWCOMERS: Anna Gray (transfer from Tinora, 2nd team GMC), Allie Alspaugh, Calysta Wasson, Avery Brown
STRENGTHS: “We have 3 starters back and 7 letterwinners. We have some size inside.”
“We have some athletic girls that can run and have had success in fall sports this year. Hopefully that competitive attitude will carry over to basketball.”
WEAKNESSES: “Our overall numbers are down in the program this year. We’ve had some injuries that we hope we can get healed up.”
“We have some roles that need to be filled. We’re hoping our freshmen can step in and give us some minutes so we can play the way we want to.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We play an extremely challenging schedule and will need to develop some depth. Rebounding will be important and staying healthy.”
“We hope to factor into the NWOAL race and make a tournament run in Division II.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “NWOAL will be extremely balanced. Liberty Center returns a lot of experience and athletes. Archbold will be athletic and in the mix and Patrick Henry will be much improved.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Tinora (H); League Opener: December 23 – Wauseon (H)
2. Wauseon (Last Season: 22-4, 6-1 NWOAL; Lost in Division III regional semifinals to Ottawa-Glandorf 63-42)
HEAD COACH: Dan Seiler (5th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Marissa Seiler, Kadence Carroll, Autumn Pelok, Ellie Rodriguez, Madison Strauss
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior-Hayley Meyer (Honorable Mention NWOAL, Honorable Mention District 7); Junior-Kaylin Ersham; Sophomores-Johanna Tester, Mackenzie Stasa
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have four returning letterwinners and are welcoming in a very talented yet young group of players.”
“We hope to improve every game, stay healthy and continue to build a successful program.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL is a competitive league, and we hope to compete against some strong teams.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 18 – Anthony Wayne (H); NWOAL Opener: December 23 – Bryan (A)
3. Archbold (Last Season: 15-8, 5-2 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Wauseon 70-47)
HEAD COACH: Brian Ziegler (15th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Addi Ziegler (11.8 ppg); Addison Moyer (5.2 ppg); Karsyn Hostetler (5.0 ppg); Harley Phillips (5.2 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Leah McQuade (8.5 ppg), Sophie Rupp (3.8 ppg), Carly Grime (2.5 ppg), Meg Mello (1.0 ppg), Alivia Rodrguez (1.0 ppg); Juniors – Norah Ruffer (1.0 ppg); Alyana Perez (1.0 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Junior-Nyah Grime; Sophomores-Allana Pedraz, Grace Meyer, Aunali Reyes; Freshman-Makena Thiel
STRENGTHS: “Seven returning letterwinners along with experienced guards will lead us.”
WEAKNESSES: “Height along with rebounding and post play.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have a good mixture with the seven returning letterwinners and some first-year players. Our quickness and effort will need to overcome our lack of height.”
“We always play a tough schedule going against good players and coaches, so we’ll need to be prepared every night.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 19 – Hicksville (H); NWOAL Opener: December 23 – Patrick Henry (A)
4. Liberty Center (Last season: 14-10, 4-3 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Eastwood 58-39)
HEAD COACH: Tim Davis (9th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Kate Mohler (6.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Hannah Wachtman (1.1 ppg), Lucy Jones
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Peyton Armey (8.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Alyssa Giesige (4.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg); Haley Mohler (2.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Bea Barrett (4.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Kailey Blanton (3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Emersyn Gerken (4.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) Emerson Gray (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 spg); Eliza Jones (3.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg); Nicole Keller (1.9 ppg, 1.1 apg)
NEWCOMERS: Molly Perry, Elle Mohler, Gracie Miller
STRENGTHS: “We have a lot of depth with a lot of experience coming back. Our defense was solid last year and believe that will be a strength for us.”
“We also feel that a balanced scoring attack will also be a strength.”
WEAKNESSES: Consistent offense, rebounding
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We expect to work hard every day and get better every day. With that mind set we believe that we can compete with the top teams in our league and have a very successful season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Our league will be tough from top to bottom again this year. Bryan has a lot of players back and the best player in the league.”
“Others return key players and there are teams that are getting help from their younger kids that will be able to make an impact.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 21 – Hilltop (A); NWOAL Opener-December 23 – Delta (A)
5. Evergreen (Last Season: 13-11, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Wauseon 63-33)
HEAD COACH: Brittaney Cymbolin (7th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Bekah Bowser (17.6 ppg); Jocelyn Schuster (2.8 ppg); Jessica Riggs (1.4 ppg); Lydia Valentine (1.5 ppg); Sydney Woodring
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Macy Chamberlin (10.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Addison Ricker (7.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg); Lucy Serna (6.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Brooke Sintobin (1.3 ppg); Hannah Wilson
NEWCOMERS: Kennedy Emmit, Brookelyn Gleckler, Katie Huffman, Ella Burgermeister
STRENGTHS: “Our strengths will be our ability to execute, work as a unit, and camaraderie across all teams.”
WEAKNESSES: depth
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We look forward to the season and will work hard towards being simple, solid, and sound.”
“We know our league will be difficult, so we must focus on staying positive, working as a unit, and being relentless on both ends of the floor.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “As always, the NWOAL is usually a balanced league. I foresee Bryan being the team to beat with their size and coach Grosjean’s development of his youth program several years ago, which has now placed his team in an excellent position for continued success.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 18 – Lake (H); NWOAL Opener: December 23 – Swanton (H)
6. Delta (Last Season: 6-16, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost to Evergreen in sectional semifinals to Delta 58-45)
HEAD COACH: Kelsey Gillen (2nd season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Jersey Irelan (1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg); Junior-Alani Hass (Injury, 7.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Khloe Weber (9.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Sophia Burress (8.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Juniors – Grace Munger (7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Olivia Smith (3.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Kate Friess (2.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Olivia Turi, Ashlyn Lamb; Sophomore – Kendall Sprow
NEWCOMERS: Freshmen-Kyla Risner, Abbey Todd, Keagyn Gillen, Ellie Martinez
STRENGTHS “We return eight varsity players. We were in a lot of games last year that we just couldn’t pull ahead in the end, hoping with continued growth this year we will be able to pull off a few more wins.”
WEAKNESSES: “Losing starter Alani Haas to an injury.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking to be even more competitive this season. We have had a lot of growth in the off season and with returning eight players to the roster, we are hoping to come ready to win some additional games this season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Last year we finished 6th in the league, so we are looking to raise a few more spots this year and add more wins in the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Otsego (A); NWOAL Opener: December 23 – Liberty Center (H)
7. Patrick Henry (Last Season: 4-18, 1-6 NWOAL; Lost in Division IV sectional semifinals to Leipsic 39-23)
HEAD COACH: Justin Sonnenberg (4th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Brooke Bostelman (2.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Kayla Kruse, Kyleigh Breece, Ella Meyer
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – Madison Prigge (4.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Juniors – Karsyn Weber (6.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Kya Seemann (5.5 ppg), Kenzie Prigge (3.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Addie Schwab; Sophomore – Kasey Nelson (3.8 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: “Junior Paige Boyer was a solid scorer all year on JV last season and is expected to contribute a lot this season.”
“Addie Schwab will step into a much bigger role this year. She plays great defense and does a lot of good things for us on offense.”
“Junior Grace Haas was hurt most of last year and did not see much varsity time but is expected to be a boost for our team inside.”
“Senior Paige Moehrman is coming off an injury but will be an asset for us. We also have a few freshmen (Ada Christman and Carys Crossland) who are working to earn an opportunity to contribute on the varsity level.”
STRENGTHS: “We have good overall speed and a lot of depth.”
WEAKNESSES: “We have great leadership from our seniors, but we only have 2 of them. Overall, we are still a young team.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We had a great off-season and our players have put in a lot of hard work. As a team we are expecting to be much improved and be more competitive this year.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Bryan is the team to beat in the league with Liberty Center close behind them. Our players have worked extremely hard to move up from the bottom of the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 18 – Napoleon (A); December 23 – Archbold (H)
8. Swanton (9-14, 0-7 NWOAL; Last Season: Lost in Division III sectional semifinals to Lake 64-23)
HEAD COACH: Eric Oakes (8th season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Frankie Nelson (15.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Jayden Hendricks, Emma Sullivan, Macy Pawlowicz, Ashley Keaton, Morgan Pettit, Tiffani Nelson, Trista Eitniear
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alaina Pelland, Katie Floyd, Megan Haselman, Allison Fagerman, Olivia Gowing, Emma Crow
NEWCOMERS: Sammi Nelson, Miranda Yeager, Kyleigh Shinaver, Peighton Manning, Jessica Finfera, Avalon Keiser, Lyla Carrizales, Cari Lagrange, Lauren Bettinger, Audrey Robinson
STRENGTHS: “We are athletic and quick, and we should have good depth in all positions, even though we graduated eight seniors.”
“We have a number of players that got good minutes last year at the varsity level.”
WEAKNESSES: “We need to be much better on the boards this year and on offense be more aggressive going to the hoop.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I think defensively we should be pretty good. Offensively, if we can see the floor and make good decisions, we will be competitive.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 18 – Emmanuel Christian (H); NWOAL Opener: December 23 – Evergreen (A)
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com