THEY GOT GAME...with most of the players back from last years' CCC Champs, the Lady Vikings from Miami East could make some serious noise in 2007-08.

Story by Bob Moore
The overwhelming favorite to repeat on CCC Champions is Miami East. This was like asking if you had the choice to take Tiger Woods versus the field at a golf major championship, who would you choose? So that is how we are going to list the preview this year. We’ll start with Miami East and then list the rest in alphabetical order.

Miami East
Head Coach: Chad Widener, JV Coach: Brian Kadel, Varsity Assistant: Preston Elifritz
Returning Players: All CCC players 5’6” Sr., Guard, Katie Denlinger (10.4 ppg) and 5’ 7” Jr., Guard, Katie Mengos (11 PPG); CCC Honorable Mention, 5’8” Jr., Sarah Skidmore (7 PPG); 5’10” Jr., Rebecca Leffel; 6’1” Jr., Ashley Rice; 5’6” So., Callie Boitnott and 5’10” So., Lottie Hageman. Key contributors moving up from JV; 6’1” Jr., Morgan Rice.

Miami East’s average margin of victory in league games last year was almost 40 points. The hard part in stopping the Vikings is that they have 4 to 5 players that could average 10 points per game. Last year they only had two games where one person scored over 20. Their non-league schedule will give them a test to see how they will measure up by tournament time. They play Division I Vandalia Butler, Division II Tipp City and Urbana and then the ultimate Division III test at the end of the season when they host the Versailles Tigers on January 26th.

Ansonia Tigers
Head Coach: Dave Westfall
Returning Players: 5’8, Sr., Leslie Pitzenberger; 5’10” Sr., Leslie Swabb; 5’2” Jr. Stacie Schmidt; 5’2” Jr., Gina Billenstein; Key Contributor moving in; 5’8” Sr., Danielle Platfoot

The Tigers are on the short list of teams that will finish in the 2 to 5 hole this season. They have adjusted well to 2nd year coach Dave Westfall and they will utilize their team speed and depth. Concerns will be rebounding and boosting their offensive output.

Arcanum Trojans
Head Coach: Steve Christ
Returning Players: 5’8” Jr., Betsie Printz; 5’8” Jr., Emily Shellhous; 5’4” Jr., Angie Cates; 5’4” Jr., Maci Kramer; 5’7” Devon Meyer; 5’9” Jr., Macy O’Dell

The Trojans are loaded with juniors that will be collectively working on replacing 80% of their offense with Ashley Falknor and Jackie Eib off at the next level to play sports in College. Falknor received a Div. I scholarship to play basketball at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. The will also miss their size and in regards to rebounding. Despite the heavy losses the Trojans are optimistic that they can finish in the top 2 – 5 in the CCC.

Bethel
Head Coach: Ed Quincel, JV Coach: John Cash
Returning Players: 5’7” Sr., Kenzie Klingenberg (7.4 PPG), 5’8” Sr., Ashliey Bennett (7.3 PPG); 5’7” Sr., Tarah Stidham; 5’9” So., Emily Elerbrock; 5’8” Jr., Brittany Lewis; 5’8” So., Kendal Banks; 5’5” Jr., Ashley Swackhamer; Key Contributors moving up; 5’7” Jr., Kylie Kopp, 5’5” Jr., Carrie Clendening

The Bees return the bulk of their team from last year that was 5th in team defense which landed them 6th in the CCC standings. To improve the Bees will have to buzz up some offensive productivity and gather in their share of the rebounds on both ends of the floor. With the improvements the Bees made last year under Ed Quincel and bulk of the team returning, many coaches have listed the Bees to finish in the top four in the CCC.

Bradford
Head Coach: Holly Hollinger; JV Coach: Dennis Fair
Returning Players: 5’ 10” Sr., Angel Yount (9.5 PPG); 5’10” Sr., Cassie Bishop; 5’5” Sr., Brittany Reed; 5’2” Sr., Holly Byram. Key Contributors coming up from JV: 5’3” Jr., Alaina Swabb, 5’5” Jr., Alie Dross and 5’11” So., Marissa Wirrig

Numbers are a concern for the ‘Roaders as there are only 12 players currently between Varsity and JV. The good news is that they have back a good group of players who have worked hard over the summer. They return 4 seniors with experience and Sr., Brittany Reed will running the point. Look for newcomer Alaina Swabb to be a possible scoring threat from the perimeter.

Covington Buccs
Head Coach: Chris Besecker, JV Coach: Steve Burnett
Returning Player: 5’6” Jr., Renee Otte (5 PPG) Key contributers moving up: 5’5” Jr., Katie Dickey; 5’9” So., Shelby Hobbit; 5’8” So., Alyssa Angla; 5’2” Fr. Kayla Fissell

Gone is the senior class that was part of four 20 win seasons at Covington. 38 points per game lost to graduation with Alex Christian, Andrea Meyer and Ashley Johnson. Junior Renee Otte is the only starter to return. Coach Chris Besecker notes that they will focus on development and long term success. Their goals are to get better each week. With the Tradition at Covington and Besecker at the helm, look for just that. Offense may be a struggle, but expect their D to be a factor once they gain some experience. Even with youth, expect Covington to be a mid pack team.

Franklin Monroe
Head Coach: Ned Gray; JV Coach: Ashley Matheson
Returning Players: All CCC, 5’ 8” Sr., Mara Howell (17 PPG); 5’10” Sr., Jessica Hidebrand; 5’10” Sr., Holly Delk; 5’8” Sr., Amanda Brown; 5’5” So., Sierra Bruner (8 PPG), 5’7” So., Tiffany Kossler

Ned Gray returns to his 9th year as the Jets Head Coach and Senior Mara Howell has been a starter for almost half that time. A four year letterman, Howell has Division 1 skills in a 5’7” body and a front runner for player of the year. All of the returning players listed above received plenty of varsity time and with the right combination of skill in Howell, size with Hildebrand and Delk, experience with the sophomores; then add the experience of Coach Gray – The Jets are a lock in the top 4.

Mississinawa Valley
Head Coach: Jim Koontz
Returning Players: 5’9” Sr., Cierra Saintignon (6 PPG); 5’7” Sr., Angie Beanblossom; Sr., Ashlee Grow; Key Contributors moving up from JV: So., Kirsten Jessup and So., Jodi Schmitz

Jim Koontz is our first rookie coach listed on the preview. He is familiar with the team because the last 4 years he was the JV coach. Gone from this team is a big chunk of their offense. The Blackhawks will try to focus on using their team speed to their advantage. Keys to success will be ball control and rebounding.

National Trail
Head Coach: Troy Ferguson; JV Coach: Shawn Laird; Assistant Coach: Galen Hundley
Returning Players: 5’ 10 Jr., Alyssa Joyce; 5’ 7” Sr., Amanda Grimes; 5’11” Sr., Lori Deaton; 5’10” Sr., Cortney Flory; 5’5” Jr., Sarah Little; Key Contributors: 5’3” Sr., Kayla Lee; 5’9” Jr., Rachel Clark; 5’7” So., Kaitlyn Stephens; 5’10” So., Hilary Loden.

The Blazers brings back some size and experience, but will need to find a scorer with the loss of Jennifer McWhinney. First year coach Troy Ferguson notes that the girls have been working hard and keys for success include minimizing turnovers, finding a scorer and improve on the defense that gave up 55 PPG last year.

Newton
Head Coach: Dan Cain; JV Coach: Scott Davis; Assistant Coaches: Mindi Shardo, Bryce Adams
Returning Players: 5’7” Jr., Kaitie Stewart (11.2 PPG); 5’5” So., Keeley Booher; Key Contributors: 5’8” So., Angela Schipper; 5’5” Fr., Lacey Jackson; 5’5” Fr., Aubrye Cain; 5’6” Jr., Katelyn Deeter; 5’4” Fr., Laura Kozuszek

Kaitie Stewart returns as a 3 year starter and will be the elder stateswomen as a junior. The Lady Indians will start two sophomores and two freshman and will look to improve and provide the foundation of a building program. Only 13 players in the high school program, but the numbers are looking good in the Junior High program, so look for the Indians to improve throughout this season and the years to come.

Tri-County North
Head Coach: Erin Freisthler
Returning Players: Sr., Lindsay Bussard; Sr., Megan Thompson; Jr., Sarah Whitaker; Jr., Rachel Heindl (13.8 PPG); Sr., Brittani Mullins; So., Tilton;

Six returning players and the quickest backcourt in the conference is the strength of the North Panthers. The sleeper team of last year will not go unnoticed this year. Many are picking TCN to be a top 4 finisher in the CCC in ’08.

Tri-Village
Head Coach: Brad Gray; JV Coach: Mike Fisherback; Assistant Coach: Greg Eley
Returning Players: 6’0” Sr., Tina Allison (12.2 PPG); 5’5” Sr., Amelia Frazier; 5’5” Sr., Erin Bundy; 5’10” So., Jordyn Fisherback; 5’4” So., Kaila Burns; 5’7” So., Shawnda Stamps; 5’3” So., Hillarie French. Key Contributor from JV: 5’4” So., Bre Abney

The Patriots bring back 4 starters and 3 other players that saw significant playing time last year. Last year’s team was the 3rd best team defense in school history and 2nd year coach Brad Gray wants the team to build on that success. Keys for the Pats will be taking care of the rock (averaged 24 turnovers a game last year) and to improve on shooting percentage (30%). Four year starter Tina Allison will be the cornerstone of the offense. She has the potential to finish in the top 5 career numbers in scoring and rebounding in Lady Pats history. The Pats should finish in the top 5 and will finish higher if they cut down on the turnovers.

Twin Valley South
Head Coach: Glen Mabry; JV Coach: Chic McKinney
Returning Players: 5’8” Sr., Megan Newland (6.9 PPG); 5’8” Sr., Kait Ervin; 5’7” Jr., Lindsey Voge; 5’6” Jr., Whitney Wysong; 5’5” Jr., Brooke Burns; Key Contributers: 5’8” Sr., Debbie Brubaker; 6’1” Sr., Katie McCoy; 5’7” Fr., Tayler Creech; 5’8” Fr., Adelee Gates; 5’7” Fr., Sara Philpot

TVS has 7 players with varsity experience and good depth. The keys will be developing team chemistry since several players have not played the last two years. The athletes from the District Championship Volleyball team are together on the hardwood and if things gel they will be a very competitive basketball team. The South Panthers is the sleeper team of the league in ’08.