PHOTO BY RACHEL NAGEL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CORNER POCKET … Bryan senior Josey Arnold launches a triple from corner in an NWOAL contest at Delta in January.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
Losing just one letterwinner from last season’s NWOAL championship team makes the Patrick Henry Patriots the team everyone is chasing this season in the NWOAL.
Patrick Henry will be led by two of the top players in the league as Carys Crossland (17.6 ppg) and Ada Christman (11.5 ppg) look to guide the Patriots to the state final four after falling to Columbus Grove in the regional final last year.
Other teams in the league also return key players from last season with Delta bringing back leading scorer in sophomore Anna Lohman (13.8 ppg), Wauseon returns their top scorer in senior Sophia Rupp (10.9 ppg), and Bryan brings back the high-scoring duo Josey Arnold (13.1 ppg) and Averyann Fisher (12.3 ppg).
The league will have two new coaches this season as Josh Williams takes over at Evergreen and Craig Good is the new coach at Swanton.
Here are the previews for each team in order of their finish in the NWOAL last season.
1. Patrick Henry (24-1, 7-0 NWOAL; Lost in Division VI regional final to Columbus Grove, 45-41)
HEAD COACH: Justin Sonnenberg (7th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Kasey Nelson (9.5 ppg, 72% FT, 31% 3-pt)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Carys Crossland (17.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Ada Christman (11.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Sophie Guelde (4.1 ppg), Alessa Almanza, Lani Rosebrook (2.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Kelsey Schwiebert (5.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Sophomores – Kynlyi Crossland (4.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Ella Christman (3.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Meyta Hieber
STRENGTHS: Defense, rebounding, depth,
WEAKNESSES: Patience on offense
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Our girls have come into the season with great energy and focus. I think they are hungry. They’ve been working hard every day in the gym and weight room.
“We want to build on the momentum from last year. The girls have set high goals, and they are working hard to achieve them.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL has a lot of good teams again this year and we are hoping to compete towards the top of the league.
“With the experience coming back from last year’s regional final team we are hoping to make a tournament run again this year.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 21 – Defiance (H); NWOAL Opener: January 2 – Swanton (A)
2. Delta (19-3, 5-2 NWOAL; Lost in Division V district semifinals to Paulding, 46-29)
HEAD COACH: Kelsey Gillen (5th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Kendall Sprow (11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 spg), Natalie Friess (1.5 rpg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Abbey Todd (9.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Keagyn Gillen (4.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Ellie Martinez (returning from ACL injury), Grace Maynhart, McKenzie Kruger (1.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg); Juniors – Addison Wyse (6.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Anabell Gillen; Sophomores – Anna Lohman (13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Olivia Mohring
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Willa Rosene; Senior – Elaina Hilyard
STRENGTHS: “Returning four starters, and nine letterwinners. We have a strong defensive team who is eager to get the season started. We have good speed and competitiveness.”
WEAKNESSES: “Graduating two very strong leaders in the program.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “The team had a successful season last year and are looking to continue that success throughout this season.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL continues to be a very competitive league, and we are hopeful that we will be able to compete for one of the top spots in the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 25 – Ottawa Hills (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Evergreen (H)
3. Wauseon (21-5, 5-2 NWOAL); Lost in Division IV regional semifinals to Warrensville Heights, 51-44)
HEAD COACH: Shelly Borton (3rd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Mackenzie Stasa (9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Johanna Tester (8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Aunali Reyes (6.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Phoebe Oyer, Selah Sanchez
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Sophia Rupp (10.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Aizlynn Coronado (4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Marin Leatherman (4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Tegan Hamilton (1.1 ppg); Junior – Ella Tule (3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Seniors – Kara Ehrsam, Emmerie Rodriguez; Juniors – Abby Kissel, Mia Barajas, Laynee Sanford, Addison Fisher
STRENGTHS: “We have a lot of varsity experience back from last year’s team. They know what it takes to compete at a high level and are constantly working to continue to get better.”
WEAKNESSES: “We graduated a group of girls that gave tremendous things to our program both on and off the court. Their on court production is going to be difficult to replace but we have kids working each day to accomplish that.”
“Rebounding and controlling the tempo are going to be things that we need to continue to improve. Adjusting to the physicality and the tempo we want to play at is going to be extremely important as the season progresses.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have several players back from last year’s team but many of those players are stepping into some different roles this season. We have a great group of kids that compete at a high level and are constantly working to get better each day.
“They are a very coachable group of girls that will continue to grow and learn as the season progresses, and they settle in this season.
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Overall, the league will be extremely competitive and balanced. We are looking forward to another exciting year playing in the NWOAL.” Predicted order of finish: 1. Patrick Henry, 2. Archbold, 3. Delta, 4. Bryan, 5. Wauseon, 6. Evergreen, 7. Liberty Center, 8. Swanton
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 21 – Toledo Bowsher (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Liberty Center (A)
4. Archbold (16-7, 4-3 NWOAL; Lost in Division III sectional finals to Paulding, 53-40)
HEAD COACH: Brian Zeigler (18th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Alana Pedraza (3.5 ppg, 2.6 apg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Charlee Forward (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, FT – 78.7%), Miley Gericke (12.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, FT – 77%; Junior Reagan Wendt – (3.2 ppg, 1.9 spg); Sophomore – Klaire Kern (8.3 ppg, 1.9 spg)
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Maci Martz, Aubree Hurst; Freshman – Molly Harris
STRENGTHS: “We have four letter winners and three returning starters to build around. Our quickness and shooting is above average.”
WEAKNESSES: Lack of height and depth
SEASON OUTLOOK: “How successful we are depends on how quickly new players fill bigger roles.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “We are looking to improve on last year’s 4-3 record. Patrick Henry is the favorite to win the league.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Hicksville (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Bryan (A)
5. Bryan (13-11, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division IV district semifinals to Wauseon 46-45 (OT))
HEAD COACH: Todd Grosjean (19th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: McKenzie Mason; Ava Zimmerman (Out for senior season with torn ACL); Gabby Mossburg (Out for season with dislocated ankle)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Josey Arnold (13.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Mylie Vollmer (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Juniors – Amiyah Langham (6.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.0 apg), Piper Hanna (4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Kelsie Thiel (1.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg); Sophomore – Averyann Fisher (12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Claire Struble, Emme Miller; Sophomores – Braya Hepker, Bre Richmond, Gezzy Kidston
STRENGTHS: “We return a solid nucleus with varsity experience. We lost two of our better defenders in Zimmerman and Mossburg to season ending injuries. We have some athletic young ladies that like to defend and will play extremely hard.”
WEAKNESSES: “Losing Zimmerman and Mossburg hurts us defensively, experience wise, and depth. We will need some underclassmen to step into roles and give us minutes off the bench.”
“We have girls that are nursing injuries from fall sports and will have to heal up and get healthy. We will be undersized in most games this season, as we were last year, so rebounding will be a huge emphasis again.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We like the experience that we have back with Arnold, Fisher, Langham, Hanna, and Vollmer. They played a considerable number of minutes last season for us. We hope to take another step forward and continue what groups previously have done at Bryan. We will have to remain healthy as well.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The league returns a bunch of very talented players from last year. Most of the NWOAL all league players were underclassmen. Patrick Henry returns almost everyone and will be the preseason favorite. Archbold and Delta both return all league and all state players.
“Wauseon will be solid again after advancing to the regional level. Evergreen will have new leadership and also has experience returning. Liberty Center will be young but very well coached. Swanton has new leadership and will be much improved. This should be a very competitive NWOAL season of basketball.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 21 – Lima Bath (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Archbold (H)
6. Evergreen (13-11, 3-4 NWOAL; Lost in Division VI district semifinals to Patrick Henry, 60-17)
HEAD COACH: Josh Williams (1st Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Addison Ricker (11.2 ppg), Kennedy Emmitt (9.5 ppg), Ella Burgermeister (3.0 ppg)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ava Vaculik (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Bailey Lumbrezer (5.4 ppg, 1.5 spg), Lanae Manz (12.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.3 spg), Avery Emmitt (2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Kyla Risner (3.5 ppg; 2.4 spg, 3.0 rpg)
NEWCOMERS: “Lots of potential within all the underclassmen to contribute right away.”
STRENGTHS: Perimeter shooting, creating pressure, perimeter defense
WEAKNESSES: Scoring balance, rebounding
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Really looking forward to coaching this group particular group of ladies this coming season. There is such a great mix of players that have varsity experience to go along with talented underclassmen that are going to make a major impact on the season.
“Ladies have been working extremely hard each day with great attention to detail on the little things that they will need to compete.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Looking to stay competitive in a very strong league top to bottom.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 21 – Edgerton (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Delta (A)
7. Liberty Center (10-13, 1-6 NWOAL; Lost in Division VI sectional finals to Tinora, 44-43)
HEAD COACH: Tim Davis (12th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Addi Zientek (4.5 ppg), Maddie Bailey (4.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Macie Krugh (3.7 ppg), Payten Hageman
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Aletha Fausnight (7.3 ppg, 4.5rpg), Gabbie Conrad (2.1 ppg); Juniors – Hope Atkinson (2.0 ppg), Chloe Mohler (4.0 ppg, 2.0 apg); Sophomore – Brooklyn Mohler (1.7 ppg, 2.0 spg)
NEWCOMERS: Senior – Brookelyn Miller; Sophomores – Teagan Oberhauser, Paige Hill; Freshmen – Castyn Miller, Addi Davis, Blaire Mohler
STRENGTHS: Experience, scoring, guard quickness, size inside
WEAKNESSES: Depth, overall size
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We feel we have experience back in key positions that can help our youth develop. We want to compete every night out and get better every day. Finding some consistency on offense and girls learning their roles will be critical.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL is a monster from top to bottom. Every team brings some top players back from last year. Every game will present huge challenges.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 25 – Paulding (A); NWOAL Opener: December 19 – Wauseon (H)
8. Swanton (3-20, 0-7 NWOAL; Lost in Division V sectional finals to Lima Bath, 55-26)
HEAD COACH: Craig Good (1st Season)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Lauren Bettinger (guard), Carli LaGrange (guard/forward); Junior – Lexie Yeager (guard); Sophomores – Mady Pelland (guard), Evelyn Ventimiglia (forward
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Avyonna Hamrick (guard), McKenzie Cooper (guard)
STRENGTHS: “I would say right now it is our guard play. We are shorthanded at the post position. We should be able to do a lot of things offensively and defensively with our guard depth.”
WEAKNESSES: “We have a young and inexperienced bench.”
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We’re going to continue to work and grow as a team. The early part of the season will be important for building depth and confidence.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “When you’re coming off a season where you didn’t win a league game, you would assume everyone has a good team. I think Patrick Henry is the team to beat. Honestly, we’re just trying to focus on ourselves and how we can be more competitive and put us in situations to win league games this year.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: November 22 – Stryker (A); NWOAL Opener: January 2 – Patrick Henry (H)