BIG THINGS AHEAD?...is a question Tri-Village looks to answer with many talented players returning from last year.

Story by Bob Moore
As the curtain opens on the 2007-08 season the coaches have noted that Tri-Village and Twin Valley South are the pre-season favorites. TV had the slight edge over TVS while Miami East, Ansonia, Arcanum, Franklin Monroe, Newton and Covington were grouped in that order in the next tier to challenge for the crown. It stacks up for a very competitive league with great games each weekend. Good Luck to all the teams as we present our Boys Basketball Preview.

1. Tri-Village
Head Coach: Josh Sagester; JV Coach: Dave Fisherback; Varsity Assistants Mick Sagester and Jeff Judy.
Returning Players: 5’9” Sr., Point Guard, Logan Brubaker; 5’11” Jr., Honorable Mention CCC, Tyler Greer (10.4 PPG); 5’11 Sr., Kendall Stutz; 6’6” Sr., Ryan Buck; 6’5” Sr., Dave Barger;
Key Contributors: 6’3” Sr., Tyler Evans; 6’2” Sr., Tyler Fisherback; 6’2” Jr., Brett Fourman; 5’9” Sr., Heath West and 5’7” Fr., Drew Moore

The Patriots return 3 starters and 5 lettermen from last year’s Sectional Championship / District Runner Up team. The Pats have experience, but also depth at every position. Josh Sagester states that this gives the Pats the flexibility to get the ball out and run or if needed slow the ball down and pound the ball down the post to the Bigs. The Pats have hung their success on the D and rebounding and look to set a defensive PPG record for the 4th year in a row.

2. Twin Valley South
Head Coach: Tony Augspurger
Returning Players: One of a few All Conference Selection returning, 6’2” Sr. Steve Summer (12.2 PPG) 43.5% 3 Pt Shooter; 6’3” Sr., J.T. Stone (7 RPG); 6’0” So., Clint Spitler; 6’3” So., Ryan Innis; 6’1” Sr., Travis Strebig; 6’2” Sr., Josh Flynn;
Key Contributors: 6’5” Sr., Noah Holman; 5’11” Sr., Austin Schmidt; 6’3” So., Eric Walker; 6’2” So., Tyler Smith;

The strength of the South Panthers is they have players that can just flat out light it up from outside with Summers, Spitler and Innis. This year Coach A will have a little more size, strength and experience returning to the post as long as J.T. Stone can recover from an ankle injury. The key for the South Panthers notes Coach Augspurger is they must improve drastically on defense and on rebounding if they want to compete for the conference championship.

3. Ansonia Tigers
Head Coach: Chad Cramer; JV Coach, Craig Riethman
Returning Players: 6’3” Sr., All CCC Honorable Mention, Eric Beisner (14.5 PPG); 5’11” Sr., Niles Brown; 5’11” Sr., Jesse Post; 6’6” Jr., Adam Kremer
Key Contributors: 6’3” Sr., Dave Seger; 5’10” Sr., Chance Cox; 6’2” Sr., Evan Edge; 5’8” So., Kyle Young

Back for the Tigers is 6’3 Sr., Eric Beisner who is strong enough to drive anyone into the floor and turn around and burn you from beyond the trey line. Jr., Adam Kremer will had some height and beef in the middle as well as showing a good shot from the perimeter. Keys for the Tigers will be ball control and minimizing turnovers. If they can consistently take care of the rock, and make good decisions with basketball they will be a hard team to beat each week.

4. Miami East
Head Coach: Allen Mack; JV Coach: Justin Roeth; Varsity Assistan Rick Hickman; Freshmen Coach: Tom Meyer
Returning Players: All Conference Player as a Sophomore last year, 6’0” Jr., Dan Hickman (12.6 PPG); 6’2” Sr., Trevor Coomes; 6’3” Sr., Josh Deal; 6’2” Jr., Logan Carey;
Key Contributors: 6’0” Sr., Kirk Wolf; 6’2” Sr., Richie Miller; 6’2” Sr., Rich Vega; 6’2” Jr., Kyle Karadak; 6’0” Jr., Tyler Beard; 6’3” Jr., Aaron Mitchell; 6’2” So., Tyler Dunivan

A surprise pick at #4, but coaches throughout the league picked the Vikings in the top 5 even with only their leading scorer returning from last year. That one player, Dan Hickman, can light it up from all over and will be moved to the point guard position this year. Coach Allen Mack notes that their strengths will be their quickness, ball handling and their focus on an improved defense. Coach Mack also notes that they emphasize playing hard and smart.

5. Arcanum
Head Coach: Brian Gunter; JV Coach: Kevin O’Dell; Assistant Coaches: Brian Brandon (Freshmen) and Josh Greve
Returning Players: 5’10” Sr., Clint Hale; 5’10 Sr., Travis Brinkley; 6’5” Jr., Brenton Balsbaugh; 6’1” Jr., Braden Means
Key Contributors from JV: 5’10 Jr., Chris Workman; 5’10” Jr., Seth Paulus; 6’0” Jr., Jordan Greve; 6’1” Jr., Cory O’Dell; 6’0” Jr., Matt Woods; 6’1” Fr., Austin Burner

The Trojans will have one of the better post player in the league with 6’5” Brenton Balsbaugh. After that the Trojans next tallest player is 6’1.” The coaches of the league expect Trojans to play well with Balsbaugh being a force in the middle and returning players Clint Hale, Braden Means and Travis Brinkley to add some punch from the perimeter. Keys for the Trojans will be securing the ball off the boards and keeping Balsbaugh in the game as much as possible. First year coach at Arcanum, Brian Gunter states that the team motto is to ‘Play Hard, Play Smart and Play together.’

6. Franklin Monroe
Head Coach: Dane French; JV Coach: Dave Horner
Returning Players: 5’9” Sr., Ethan Nealeigh; 6’0” Sr., Bill Taylor; 5’8” Jr., Lane Lucas; 5’8” Jr., Ty French
Key Contributors from JV: 6’4” Jr., Heath Kaufman; 6’2” Jr., Gavin Glassede; 6’4” Austin Pressly; 6’5” Fr., Van Spitler

The Jets have the experience to use their quickness and hustle to run and gun plus the size coming up with the youth to use a more balanced scoring attack. Coach Dane French notes that if they are going to be successful they must improve on the defense, rebounding and be a consistent offensive threat from the perimeter. Give the Jets some experience with the size, some big wins/momentum early in the season and they have the word sleeper written all over them in Royal Blue and White.

7. Newton
Head Coach: Neal Hans; JV Coach: Ken Ford; Varsity Assistant: Richard Cline
Returning Players: 5’10” Sr., All Conference Selection, Jason Powell (9.1 PPG); 5’11” Sr., CCC Honorable Mention, Kale Booher; 6’4” Sr., Logan King; 6’1” Sr., TJ Lavy; 5’10” Sr., Bryce Hodges; 5’10” Sr., Matt Snipes;
Key Contributor from JV: 6’3” Jr., Justin Hutton

As one CCC rival coach states, “You can’t replace Kyler Booher, but Jason Powell is a good place to start.” Powell will be looked upon to take up the bulk of the scoring threat from the graduation of Kyler Booher. Kyler’s younger brother Kale, will also need to be more of scoring threat at the point guard position. The Indians return the bulk of their experience, but lost 40% of their scoring with Kyler playing college ball this season. Coach Neal Hans notes that for this year’s team to be successful they must box out and rebound. Logan King, TJ Lavy and Justin Hutton will provide the size and the presence in the middle. Team play is always emphasized with Coach Hans, but as the team adjusts to the post Kyler Booher era, the players need to know how they can best help the team through their various strengths. If the Indians make the adjustment early with this senior laden team, they will make some serious noise in the CCC in 07-08.

8. Covington
Head Coach: Roger Craft; JV Coach:
Returning Players: Sr., Jordy Burlison, Sr., Andy Sparks
Key Contributor(s) from JV: Sr., Bill Dickey; Sr., Kody Thiebeau; Juniors, Kyle Kanet, Nate Lavey; Sophomores, Jordy Meyer, Adam Craft, Ben Christian; Fr., Josh Boehringer

Even though young and inexperienced, the Buccs will be a physical team and hardnosed team. With the success of football and only a few weeks of practice, Coach Roger Craft doesn’t even have a starting lineup yet. The Buccs first game will be on December 1 against Versailles and Craft hopes that the success on the gridiron will transfer to the hardwood.

9. Mississinawa Valley
Head Coach: Jeff Vaughn; JV Coach: Todd Pechie; Assistant Coach: Mark Long
Returning Players: 6’1” Sr., Honorable Mention CCC, Ryan Dickey (8 PPG); 5’8” Sr., Tracey Harris; 5’9” Sr., Nathan Brunk
Key Contributors from JV: 6’1” So., Trent Heitkamp; 6’1” So., Colton Cox; 6’0” Jr., Darick Hiatt; 5’6” Fr., Gary Peace

Gone is 75% of the ‘Hawks offense and rebounding with the graduation of Wes Gelhaus, Jason Claywell and Levi Wicker. Coach Jeff Vaughn states that playing fundamental basketball will be key for the Mississinawa this year, especially rebounding since the biggest player on the floor will be 6’ 1” What they lack in height will only present opportunities to play a different style of basketball in ’08 since the ‘hawks will rely on their quickness and toughness.

10. National Trail
Head Coach: Mike Harrison; JV Coach: Jeremy Everman; Freshmen Coach: Andy Blevins; Assistant Coach: Charley Hoce
Returning Players: 6’5” Jr., Honorable Mention selection, Ben Beck (9.9 PPG); 6’3” Jr., Malachi Jones; 6’0” Sr., Tyler Rhodus; 5’10” So., Evan Catron
Key Contributors: 6’2” Jr., Zach Ebersole; 5’10” Sr., Andy Kimberlin; 5’9” Jr., Dalton Abner; 6’0” Sr., Matt Coggin

Mike Harrison returns as coach of the Blazers and notes that he has extremely hard working, attentive group of kids that are a fun group to coach. Keys for the Blazers to have success are to minimize turnovers and to play more consistent at both ends of the floor.

11. Bethel
Head Coach: Chris Endres; JV Coach: Bob Lucas; Assistant Coaches: Mark Clute, Rich Longshore and Jeff Mullins
Returning Players: None
Key Contributors from JV team: … Everybody. No seniors on the team, all are juniors and sophomores.

Third year coach Chris Endres notes that success will be measured by how well the team grows together and plays defense. The Bees will have good size with two 6’6” players and they will be complimented by some quick, scrappy guard play. If you’re an opposing team, you better hope you play the Bees early in the season for they will only improve each game they play.

12. Tri-County North
Head Coach: David Woodworth
Returning Players: Unknown. No preview returned.

What is known about the North Panthers is that 3 year starter Ethan Blankenship is not enrolled at Tri-County North. This will make the Panthers very young and without Blankenship they will struggle to find a groove offensively. Second year coach David “Woody” Woodworth is a North grad who did a good job last year, so look for the Panthers to improve by the end of the season.

13. Bradford
Head Coach: Jason Wood; JV Coach: Scott Floyd
Returning Players: 6’2” Sr., Sean Wood; 6’2” Sr., Brock Wysong; 5’10” Jr., Cody Shafer
Key Contributors from JV: 5’9” So., Douglas Canan; 5’9” So., Logan Looker; 6’0” So., Daniel Phillips; 6’0” So., Phillip Jones; 6’0” Jr., Tray Sanderson; 6’2” So., Josh Williams; 5’9” Jr., Chris Vogler

Coach Jason Woods notes that this year’s ‘Roaders are hard working, quick and have a desire to improve. Their goals this season are to be more competitive in league and non-league games. Keys to their success will be limiting their turnovers, boxing out and controlling the tempo.