LEAGUE FAVORITES … Bryan senior Kailee Thiel goes to the bucket in the Golden Bears state semifinal game last March against Cincinnati Purcell Marian. Thiel is one of four returning starters for Bryan as they go for a fifth straight NWOAL championship. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
Bryan, Patrick Henry, and Liberty Center are considered the teams to beat in the NWOAL this season, after finishing in that order in league play last season.
The Golden Bears return four starters from last year’s Division II state semifinalist as they will be seeking a fifth straight NWOAL title.
Both Patrick Henry and Liberty Center return a strong contingent of players with hopes of ending the Bryan run of dominance in NWOAL.
Bryan will travel to Patrick Henry on January 25 and then head to Liberty Center on February 1 while Patrick Henry will visit Liberty Center on February 8.
The league will have two new coaches this year with Shelly Borton taking over for Dan Seiler at Wauseon and Jared Walker steps in for Eric Oakes at Swanton.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1. Bryan (Last season: 25-3, 7-0 NWOAL); Lost in Division II state semifinals to Cincinnati Purcell Marian 61-47)
HEAD COACH: Todd Grosjean (17th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Reese Grothaus (13.0 ppg); Blayze Langenderfer (6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg); Allie Aspaugh (1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Ella Miller (Missed senior season due to ACL injury)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Ella Voigt (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Kailee Thiel (10.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Ella Rau (5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Marah Smith (3.5 ppg, 2.9 apg), Anna Gray (5.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Avery Brown; Sophomores – Josey Arnold (1.2 ppg), Ava Zimmerman
NEWCOMERS: Senior – Molly Hess; Junior – McKenzie Mason; Sophomores – Josey Arnold, Ava Zimmerman, Mylie Vollmer
STRENGTHS: “We have great numbers this season (24), compared to last season (16). We get a couple players back that were injured and had to sit out. Our depth, athleticism, and quickness should be strengths for us this year. We also have seven seniors with experience.”
WEAKNESSES: “We lose Reese Grothaus who at crunch time was our “go to person”. We need someone to step into that role. We also lost Blayze Langenderfer who was our spark off the bench.”
“We will need someone to contribute in that capacity. Rebounding is a weakness when we don’t do it collectively.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “This could be another solid season if we avoid being satisfied. We have a huge bullseye on our back. Our pre-season schedule is extremely challenging.”
“Our season schedule is extremely difficult, especially our January schedule. We will have to stay healthy, and our focus will again be on playing solid defensively.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league will be extremely competitive. Liberty Center and Patrick Henry both return a bunch of talented and athletic players.”
“Archbold, Delta, Evergreen, Swanton, and Wauseon will all be very much improved and can beat anyone. You better be ready on league nights.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 28 – Tinora (A); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Wauseon (A)
2. Patrick Henry (Last season: 19-5, 6-1 NWOAL; Lost in Division IV sectional finals to Lakota 41-36)
HEAD COACH: Justin Sonnenberg (5th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Madison Prigge
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Karsyn Webber (F), Kya Seemann (G), Kenzie Prigge (G), Addie Schwab (F/P), Grace Haas (F/P), Paige Boyer (G), Kasey Nelson (PG), Carys Crossland (G), Ada Christman (F/P)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Sophie Guilde (PG)
STRENGTHS: Senior leadership, depth, balance scoring
WEAKNESSES: Boxing out/rebounding and decision making while trying to play up tempo
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are looking to improve upon a very solid season last year. We have a great senior class, and we will rely on them a lot this year.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Bryan and Liberty Center are at the top of the league this year and we feel we can compete for a league championship. I think the league will be very competitive and balanced this year.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 28 – Miller City (A); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Archbold (A)
3. Liberty Center (Last season: 22-4, 5-2 NWOAL; Lost in Division III regional semifinal to Ottawa-Glandorf 48-29)
HEAD COACH: Tim Davis (10th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Peyton Armey (6.4 ppg), Alyssa Giesige (4.2ppg, 4.7 rpg), Hailey Mohler (3.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Eme Gray (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Kailey Blanton (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Elle Mohler (3.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Bea Barrett (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Eliza Jones (4.5 ppg), Nicole Keller, Molly Perry, Gracie Miller, Emersyn Gerken
STRENGTHS: Experience, athleticism, defense, shooting
WEAKNESSES: Rebounding, passing
SEASON OUTLOOK: “With the experience we have back and improved shooting and ball handling we expect to compete each night out. Our goal is to get better each night out and be consistent with our play.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league will be extremely tough again this year as it is every year. I think there are a handful of teams that can be at or near the top at season’s end.
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 24 – Paulding (A); NWOAL Opener: Delta (H)
4. Wauseon (Last season: 13-11, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division II district semifinal to Toledo Rogers 54-49)
HEAD COACH: Shelly Borton (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Hayley Meyer (17.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Juniors – Mack Stasa (8.6 ppg, 2.8 apg), Johanna Tester (3.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg); Sophomores – Aizlynn Coronado (5.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Sophia Rupp (3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Aunali Reyes (F), Ava Pelok (G); Sophomore – Marin Leatherman (G/F)
STRENGTHS: Scoring balance, creating, and handling pressure
WEAKNESSES: Depth, inside scoring
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are young, but they have had a lot of varsity experience. They come in each day eager to learn and implement new things. Staying healthy is going to be key for us.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I expect Bryan, Liberty Center, Patrick Henry to be at the top of the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 24 – Lima Bath (A); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Bryan (H)
T5. Evergreen (Last season: 14-10, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost in Division III district semifinal to Van Buren 58-38)
HEAD COACH: Brittaney Cymbolin (8th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Macy Chamberlin (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Lucy Serna (7.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Brooke Sintobin (4.0 ppg), Katie Hoffman, Juniors – Addison Ricker (12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), Kennedy Emmitt (8.0 ppg, 3.0 apg), Brookelyn Gleckler (3.8 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Bailey Lumbrezer, Kyla Risner
STRENGTHS: Quickness, Camaraderie
WEAKNESSES: Height
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I look forward to coaching this hard-working group of young ladies. Their quickness and fight will likely cause teams some fits which we hope to take advantage of.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league will be challenging, especially with Bryan, but we hope to put our best foot forward and make some noise.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 24 – Lake (A); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Swanton (A)
T5. Delta (Last season: 11-13, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost in Division III district semifinal to Liberty Center 41-31)
HEAD COACH: Kelsey Gillen (3rd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Khloe Weber, Sophia Burres
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Grace Munger (12.3 ppg), Alani Haas, Kate Friess, Olivia Smith, Ashlyn Lamb; Junior – Kendall Sprow (5.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Sophomores – Keagyn Gillen, Abbey Todd, Ellie Martinez
NEWCOMERS: Senior-Ella Demaline; Junior- Natalie Friess – Out for Season / ACL injury; Sophomore – McKenzie Kruger; Freshman – Addison Wyse
STRENGTHS: “We return nine letterwinners. The team started practices this season with high energy and a competitive spirit; they are prepared to put in the hard work and be able to compete in every game.”
“With six seniors on the team, we have very strong and eager leaders, who are ready to give their final season all their effort. Our emphasis on defensive strengths will continue to help our team reach higher goals.”
“This year’s roster has more communication, vision, court experience, speed, confidence, depth, and positive leadership than last year which will help improve our game outcomes and record. The team is very eager to get started.”
WEAKNESSES: “We sit in a strong league with Bryan, PH and LC: these teams will be tough to compete with. We have a competitive schedule, and the team will have to continue to be well conditioned, confident, and ready to adjust throughout the season.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Overall, we have a very positive outlook on this season, the team is quick, aggressive, and ready to gain the respect of our opponents. We are hoping to continue to make gains in the win column and make this year even more successful than last.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Bryan, PH and LC are the teams to beat in the NWOAL, it is always a very competitive league. With continued hard work and effort, we will be able to hold our own in the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 28 – Cardinal Stritch (H); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Liberty Center (A)
T5. Archbold (Last season: 9-14, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional final to Van Buren 58-38)
HEAD COACH: Brian Ziegler (16th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Carly Grime (6.8 ppg), Sophie Rupp (9.3 ppg), Leah McQuade (8.1 ppg), Alivia Rodriguez (0.7 ppg), Meg Mello (1.9 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Makena Thiel (5.0 ppg), Alanna Pedraza (2.5 ppg), Alayana Perez (2.9 ppg), Grace Meyer (1.9 ppg), Norah Ruffer (0.5 ppg), Charlee Forward (2.1 ppg), Nyah Grime (0.4 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Miley Gericke, Adi Kinsman
STRENGTHS: Team speed, depth at guard position
WEAKNESSES: Lack of height, returning scoring
SEASON OUTLOOK: ”Our role players from last year will need to establish themselves into more predominate roles and how quickly we are able to do that will determine how much success we have.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 25 – Hicksville (A); NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Patrick Henry (H)
8. Swanton (Last season: 11-13, 1-6 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinal to Northwood 40-29)
HEAD COACH: Jared Walker (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Katie Floyd (3.4 ppg), Alaina Pelland (8.8 ppg), Megan Haselman (1.3 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Olivia Gowing (4.8 ppg), Emma Crow (6.7 ppg), Peighton Manning (4.3 ppg), Sam Nelson (1.0 ppg), Miranda Yeager (2.2 ppg), Jessica Finfera (2.1 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Carli Lagrange, Madilynn Stevenson, Lauren Bettinger, Kyleigh Shinaver, Ava Keiser
STRENGTHS: Overall Depth
WEAKNESSES: Cohesion, Rebounding, Patience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are a very experienced team, and we have a very good non-league schedule that will prepare us for league and tournament play. If we play the way we are capable of, the potential for winning some games is very good.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league will be very competitive with Bryan, Liberty Center, and Patrick Henry once again being near the top. The league schedule always prepares us for the postseason.”
“All the other teams in the league both lost and return key players so finishing in the top half of the league would be a very good thing.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 28 – Swanton @ Lake; NWOAL Opener: January 5 – Evergreen (H)