(FILE PHOTO / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
NWOAL PREVIEW … Sophia Rupp puts the ball on the floor in a league game versus Swanton last season. Rupp is the Indians top returning scorer this season after averaging 9.6 ppg.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON – The NWOAL has been dominated by Bryan the last few seasons but with the Golden Bears hit hard by graduation, other teams will be looking to make some noise in the league race.
Patrick Henry tops that list led by the scoring combo of Carys Crossland and Ada Christman as they look to build on last year’s third-place finish in the league and appearance in the district semifinals.
Wauseon looks to be a factor also as Shelly Borton returns everyone including leading scorer Sophia Rupp at 9.6 ppg and senior point guard Mack Stasa who averaged 8.7 ppg and 2.7 apg.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1. Bryan (26-2, 7-0 NWOAL; Lost in Division II regional final to Copley, 62-29)
HEAD COACH: Todd Grosjean (18th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Kailee Thiel (13 ppg, 7 rpg), Ella Voigt (10 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Marah Smith (6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3 apg), Ella Rau (8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Anna Gray (7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Avery Brown (1.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – McKenzie Mason; Juniors – Josey Arnold (5.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Ava Zimmerman (1.0 ppg), Gabby Mossburg; Sophomores – Piper Hanna, Amiyah Langham (1.2 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Mylie Vollmer (Jr.); Kelsie Thiel (So.); Averyann Fisher (Fr.)
STRENGTHS: “We have a good group of young athletes that are working extremely hard. Good quickness and speed and a very competitive group. We will have to be REALLY solid defensively.”
WEAKNESSES: “We graduated a lot of experience; six seniors (five that started). Lack of experience and overall size.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Have a determined group of girls that have been part of a lot of success. They want to continue what the groups in front of them have accomplished. It will be a challenge, but I think our girls will respond.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league will be very competitive as always. Patrick Henry is the favorite with all the talent and experience they have returning.”
“Wauseon and Archbold both have experience and a bunch of returning athletes. Both teams will be in the hunt.
“Delta, Evergreen, Liberty Center and Swanton all have good players returning. We hope to compete, gain experience and see what happens.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – vs. Mansfield Senior @ Kewpee Classic (Lima Bath); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Archbold (A)
2. Liberty Center (23-3, 6-1 NWOAL; Lost in Division III regional semifinal to Ottawa-Glandorf, 53-18)
HEAD COACH: Tim Davis (11th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Eme Gray (15.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 spg), Kayley Blanton (6.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Bea Barrett (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Eliza Jones (6.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg), Elle Mohler (3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 spg), Gracie Miller (2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 spg), Molly Perry (3.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.0 spg), Emersyn Gerken (1.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Nicole Keller (3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 spg., 2.7 apg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: None
NEWCOMERS: Seniors – Addi Zientek, Macy Krugh, Maddie Bailey, Payton Hageman; Juniors – Aletha Fausnight, Gabby Conrad, Brooklynn Miller; Sophomores – Chloe Mohler, Hope Atkinson, Mackenzie Fuller
STRENGTHS: “This group works very hard and will compete. Our strengths are post-play and defensively we should be solid.”
WEAKNESSES: Lack of experience and handling pressure
SEASON OUTLOOK: “This group does not have much experience after losing nine seniors. However, we want to compete each night out, and once we gain some experience, we feel we can make some noise in our conference and tournament.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “As always, the league will be extremely competitive. A lot of teams have a lot of girls back from last year.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 26 – Paulding (H); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Wauseon (A)
3. Patrick Henry (16-8, 5-2 NWOAL; Lost in Division IV district semifinal to Toledo Christian, 43-40)
HEAD COACH: Justin Sonnenberg (6th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Karsyn Weber (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Kya Seeman (7.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Kenzie Prigge (2.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg), Addie Schwab (2.3 ppg), Grace Haas (1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Paige Boyer
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kasey Nelson (4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Carys Crossland (12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Ada Christman (8.8 ppg), Sophie Guelde (4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Lani Rosebrook, Kelsey Schwiebert
STRENGTHS: Rebounding, defense
WEAKNESSES: Depth, scoring balance
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We lost a talented group of seniors, and they’ll be tough to replace. However, I believe our new leaders are ready to step up and take on bigger responsibilities.”
“Our only senior, Kasey Nelson, has been a tremendous asset, and I’m proud of the leadership she’s shown so far. I feel our success this year will depend on how fully we embrace our roles and how committed we are to playing strong defense.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league was senior heavy last year, and I think it is up for grabs this year. Wauseon and Archbold should finish towards the top of the league. I feel we can compete towards the top as well.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 26 – Miller City (H); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Swanton (H)
4. Wauseon (13-11, 4-3 NWOAL; Lost in Division II sectional final to Liberty-Benton, 61-32)
HEAD COACH: Shelly Borton (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: None
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Mack Stasa (8.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.9 rpg), Johanna Tester (6.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Aunali Reyes (5.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Juniors – Sophia Rupp (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Aizlynn Coronado (6.5 ppg, 2.2 apg, 3.4 rpg), Marin Leatherman (3.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Sophomore – Ella Tule (4.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Tegan Hamilton (So.)
STRENGTHS: Scoring balance, experience, creating and handling pressure
WEAKNESSES: Consistency, inside scoring
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have a lot of experience back. They come in each day eager to get better, learn, and implement our game plan. Staying healthy is going to be key for us.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: 1. Patrick Henry, 2. Wauseon, 3. Bryan
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Toledo Bowsher (H); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Liberty Center (H)
5. Archbold (10-13, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional semifinal to Oak Harbor, 39-35)
HEAD COACH: Brian Ziegler (17th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Norah Ruffer (2.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Nyah Grime (2.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Alayna Perez (5.7 ppg, 83% FT), Jenae Kinsman (0.8 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alanna Pedraza (6.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 39 steals), Grace Meyer (5.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg), Charlee Forward (9.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 40 steals), Miley Gericke (8.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 75% FT), Adison Kinsman (0.6 ppg, 30 steals), Makena Thiel (injured last season)
NEWCOMERS: Klaire Kern, Madi Bowers, Reagan Wendt
STRENGTHS: Experience – Six lettermen and three starters return, team quickness
WEAKNESSES: Height, rebounding
SEASON OUTLOOK: “With our experience returning we are looking on improving on last season’s 10 wins.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Our league is full of good coaches and players. The NWOAL will be a very competitive conference with several teams favored to win the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 23 – Hicksville (A); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Bryan (H)
6. Delta (13-11, 2-5 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional final to Tinora, 42-39)
HEAD COACH: Kelsey Gillen (4th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Grace Munger (9.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Alani Haas (5.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Kate Friess (6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Olivia Smith (4.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Ashlyn Lamb (2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Ella Demaline (1.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Senior – Kendall Sprow (6.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg); Juniors – Abbey Todd (4.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Keagyn Gillen (2.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Ellie Martinez, McKenzie Kruger; Sophomore – Addison Wyse
NEWCOMERS: Natalie Friess (Sr.-Returning from ACL injury), Anna Lohman (Fr.)
STRENGTHS: “This year’s team has high athleticism, quickness, and basketball IQ. The team’s cohesiveness will help improve the win record over last season.”
WEAKNESSES: “We lost six seniors, and we only have three returning letterwinners who saw significant varsity playing time from last season.”
“With the loss of six seniors, we have many girls who will play new significant roles on the team and have to build confidence as the season progresses.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Overall, I feel we will have more wins than in the past few seasons. The program continues to build positive momentum. We have a very hardworking team of athletes who have set some high goals and are eager to start the season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The coaching staff is very hopeful that the team will finish towards the top of the league standings this year. We continue to strengthen and grow together as a very competitive team.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: December 3 – Montpelier (A); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Evergreen (A)
7. Swanton (8-15, 1-6 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional final to Fairview, 61-42)
HEAD COACH: Jared Walker (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Emma Crow (8.8 ppg), Olivia Gowing (4.0 ppg), Sam Nelson (1.0 ppg), Peighton Manning (8.8 ppg), Ava Keiser (1.0 ppg), Kyleigh Shinaver (1.0 ppg), Alexia Ostrander (3.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Miranda Yeager (4.0 ppg), Jessica Finfera (3.0 ppg), Lauren Bettinger (1.0 ppg), Madilynn Stevenson (1.0 ppg), Carli Lagrange (1.0 ppg)
NEWCOMERS: Carli Lagrange, Lauren Bettinger, Madilynn Stevenson, Lexie Yeager
STRENGTHS: Speed on perimeter, ball handling, good team chemistry
WEAKNESSES: Depth, experience, height
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We will be competitive throughout the season. Our league schedule will help prepare us for the tournament.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I think Patrick Henry will be the favorite. Bryan, Liberty Center, and Wauseon will also be very competitive. All league teams bring back important pieces.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 26 – Lake (H); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Patrick Henry (A)
8. Evergreen (12-12, 0-7 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional final to Liberty Center, 46-31)
HEAD COACH: Brittany Cymbolin (10th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Brooke Sintobin (5.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Addison Ricker (9.7 ppg, 6 rpg), Kennedy Emmitt (7.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Ella Burgameister (2.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg); Juniors – Bailey Lumbrezer (3.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Kyla Risner (3.9 ppg, 1.9rpg); Sophomore – Lanae Manz (5.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Avery Emmitt (So.)
STRENGTHS: Shooting, camaraderie
WEAKNESSES: Height
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I look forward to coaching this hard-working group of young ladies and am excited for the year ahead. With a strong mix of returning players and talented newcomers, the squad has been
focusing on building chemistry and refining their skills during practice. Our returning players have shown impressive leadership and determination, setting a competitive tone for the season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I believe the league will be challenging once again, and I foresee Patrick Henry being the team to beat with tough guard and post play. Our goal is to stay competitive and be known for our hard work and relentlessness.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Edgerton (H); NWOAL Opener: January 3 – Delta (H)
