By Dale Barger
The Cross County Conference is comprised of 13 teams and winning an outright championship over the years has become increasingly difficult… running the table or standing alone in 1st place at the end of the year is quite an achievement. In fact over the decade of 2000 – 2009 only 2 teams have won an outright championship, Ansonia winning back-to-back titles in 2005, 2006 and Twin Valley South in 2007. The remaining 7 titles have all been shared.

Coaches in the conference as well as the media see the league being competitive with four teams mentioned as top challengers this year. Those teams are Bethel, Miami East, Covington and Tri-Village. Teams expected to challenge the top tier are Mississinawa Valley and Twin Valley South. However, you can’t take a break, as Ansonia, Arcanum, Bradford, Franklin Monroe, National Trail, Newton and Tri-County North will be looking to stake their own claim to the top… and make it an exciting year of basketball.

Here is a look at the Cross County Conference Boys Basketball Teams for 2009-2010.

Ansonia Tigers
Head Coach: Chad Kramer, Varsity Assistant Michael Ward and JV Coach Craig Riethman.
Ansonia finished 9-12 a year ago and 7-5 in the conference good enough for 4th place. However, the Tigers graduated 6’8” Adam Kremer and gives concern to coach Cramer this year due to a lack of size which is why he has stressed the importance of team rebounding and solid team play. We need to value the basketball to help compensate for the lack of rebounding and keep our turnovers down. Ansonia still has plenty of experience with four seniors they are 5-9 Kyle Young, 5-10 Dylan Bubeck, 6’s Reese Walters and 6’ Gabe Schuh. Two experienced and athletic junior guards return for the Tigers 5-11 Brandon Liette and 5-11 Derek Bubeck. Rounding out the roster are 3 sophomores, a 6-3 center Dusty Holcomb, 5-7 guard Zach Brown and 6’ guard Seth Keller. Despite the lack of size Coach Cramer and the Ansonia Tigers will be a tough hard-nosed opponent. Many of the players are coming off a successful 10-0 Football Championship and know how to win and with that will be more then capable of knocking off any of the top Cross County Conference teams this year.

Arcanum Trojans
Head Coach: Brian Gunter, Varsity Assistants Randy O’Dell, Travis Binkley and JV Coach Kevin O’Dell
Arcanum graduated many from their 15-7 and 11-1 co-conference championship team with Miami East. Gone are Balsbaugh, Greve, Means and Paulus. However, the Trojans return a key player 6-4 junior forward Austin Bruner 10 ppg who has started since he was a freshman. Bruner looks to have recovered from a knee injury/surgery and will lead the team that has relatively little varsity experience. In fact only two other players return as letterman both seniors, a 6-0 guard Chris Barga and 6-3 forward Dylan White. Two juniors who could have an immediate impact are 6-3 forward Ryan Burns and 5-10 guard Derrick Baker. Burns is a smooth player and capable scorer while Baker likes to mix it up and is aggressive on defense. Other players moving up and looking to contribute this year are two - 5-9 sophomore guards, Chey Kramer and Mitchell Brown. Rounding out the roster are (3) juniors 6’ forward Cody Schellhaas, 6-2 guard Dan Printz, 6-1 forward Alex Urich and a freshman 6-2 guard Grady Garno. Coach Gunther is excited about his team and believes team defense and rebounding is key for the Arcanum basketball program this season. To win they will have to bring intensity, effort, and team play on both sides of the ball to every game.

Bethel Bees
Head Coach: Rick Hickman
Bethel returns everyone from a team that was expected to win last year but finished in 3rd place at 9-3 and 13-9 overall. They have a new coach this year Rick Hickman and if the name sounds familiar it should. Rick was an assistant at Miami East and his son Dan was the CCC and District 9 Player of the Year for league co-champs Miami East. Look for a renewed spirit at Bethel who will be ready to challenge for a title. Scott Masin is a solid inside post player with a nice touch and (18 ppg) will anchor the post for Bethel… add to that Michael James and Grant Samuel, you have a formidable interior. Masin and company will get plenty of support from a tandem of senior guards, Dan Yates and Jon Sutton. Bethel has plenty of size, athleticism, speed and quickness to give many teams match-up problems and quite possibly could run the table in the conference if they are able to develop the chemistry to work together as a team.

Bradford Railroaders
Head Coach: Jerrel Morgan, Varsity Assistant Tab LaFollete and JV Coach Drew Jackson
Bradford showed signs of improvement last year at 5-16 overall and 1-11 in conference… and looks to be much improved in 2009-10 with experience and athleticism being the strength of the team. The Railroaders return six seniors to the lineup with leading scorer Phillip Jones 13 ppg leading the way. He will be accompanied with an athletic backcourt tandem in Logan Looker and Douglas Canan, who both have the quickness and ball handling skills to manage the game. Daniel Phillips and Cody Shafer bring a workman-like attitude to the court - doing the little things to make the team better. With the addition of a very athletic Josh Williams, a player who missed last season, Bradford will be a team on the rise this season.

Covington Buccaneers
Head Coach: Roger Craft, Varsity Assistant Steve Dunn and JV Coach Matt Rutledge
Covington returns all but three players from a year ago from a team that went 9-13 overall and 6-6 in the conference but they have high expectations once again for the black and white. Leading the way for Covington will be a talented senior class, including Adam Craft, Jordy Meyer, Ben Christian, Garrett Clark and Garrett Sprankle. Joining the seniors will be returning letter winners in juniors Josh Boehringer, Eric Beckstedt, Jake Bitner, Tyler Noffsinger and Martin Leistner. Head coach Roger Craft and the Buccs play a brutal non-conference schedule and are looking to challenge for a conference title this year. The Buccaneers will bring a physical presence to the court with improved strength and condition from the off-season program. Covington will be a hard-nosed, physical team that will wear down opponents. Last year sophomore Eric Beckstedt had some monster games from the outside and will be the “Go To Guy” at Covington this year. If you focus on Beckstedt then the Buccs can pound it hard inside and will look to seniors Jordy Meyer, Ben Christian and Adam Craft to lead the way.

Franklin Monroe Jets
Head Coach: Marcus Bixler, Varsity Assistant Spencer Cordonnier and JV Coach Dave Horner
Franklin Monroe is coming off a 12-10 regular season last year and 6-6 in conference play. They lose a number of seniors from last year Pressly, Lucas, Kaufman, French and Glasscoe as well as their head coach Dane French. The program has a new head coach in Marcus Bixler but no stranger to FM as a past player and alum, Bixler has experience having coached at Piqua for a few years. Bixler’s focus started in the off-season and is geared towards toughness – both mental and physical, on and off the floor. Look for FM to play with more intensity and focus especially on the defensive end of the floor. “We must defend every possession and cannot take possessions off on either end of the floor,” commented Bixler. Franklin Monroe is mostly a junior laden team with one senior a 6-3 forward Landon Bundenthal. Four juniors all with varsity experience return, they include 6-1 guard Tyler Schrodi who is a good spot up shooter, 5-11 guard, Nate Feitshans who has great court sense and is very competitive, 5-10 guard Tyler Brehm and 6-4 Van Spitler who is athletic in the post. Rounding out the roster are three juniors, a 5-10 guard Kyle Detling, and 6-1 guard Tyler Hofacker, 5-10 guard Steven Madascy and a 6’ sophomore guard Jaden Horner.

Miami East Vikings
Head Coach Allen Mack, Varsity Assistant Todd Stucker and JV Coach Justin Roeth
Miami East were regional finalist last year with a 23-2 record while sharing the conference title at 11-1 with Arcanum. Although, the Vikings have graduated Dan Hickman and Logan Carey both pillars of the program, the cupboards aren’t bare… coming off a successful 19-1 record at the junior varsity and a conference title last year the program is in solid shape. The only returning starter for East is All-CCC player 6-2 Tyler Dunivan 12ppg who has a strong will to win, is tough minded and will provide leadership for the Vikings. Other returning letterman are senior forward 6-1 Lucas Hershberger, juniors 6-3 forward Justin Hershberger and 6-5 Evan Wolf. Other key players is senior guard 5-9 Jared Brown, sophomore guard 5-9 Josh Snyder, guard 6-1 Bradley Coomes and forward 5-11 Gunner Shirk… who all will be competing for playing time. Rounding out the roster is junior 6-3 forward Connor Carey, 6’ guard Ray Vogel and 6-1 guard Zach Denlinger. Miami East has an experienced coach in Allen Mack who’s team set a school record last year giving up just 41.7 ppg and will once again stress defense. The team is deep and Mack looks forward to seeing the transition with a new group of kids ready to take over the leadership of the program and expects to challenge for a title.

Mississinawa Valley Blackhawks
Head Coach: Jason Burkholder Varsity Assistant Kyle Linder, JV Coach Derrick Barga
Mississinawa comes off a 9-12, 6-6 record last year and looks to improve upon both this year. Three key senior players return as captains to lead Mississinawa, they are Colton Cox, Trent Heitkamp and Kent Moneysmith. Two other seniors on the squad are forwards Bryce Hile and Kyle Wagaman. Three juniors who will contribute to the Hawks this year are guards Gary Peace, Larry Lemaster and Alex Murphy. Six additional players round out the team with four juniors Greston Landes, David Riley, Nick McEowen, Tyler Stewart and two sophomores Cody Evans and Steve Armstrong.
New Hawks Varsity Coach Jason Burkholder is excited and happy with the team and players he has acquired. “I like how hard we play, and I think that in time we will get to the point that we will be a very good defensive team. We are very quick and have a ton of athletic ability, and we will use it in the full court. Offensively we are a very good perimeter team and can get to the basket when we decide to... we are getting better with our post play and I look for that to continue improving,” said Burkholder. Look for the Hawks to be very competitive this year.

National Trail Blazers
Head Coach: Jeremy Everman, Varsity Assistant Jason Crider and JV Coach Kyle Herrmann
Trail is coming off a 1-20 and 1-11 record from last year but all is not bleak for the Trailblazers. Coach Jeremy Everman in his 2nd year is optimistic as he returns his entire team along with a couple of transfers. “We return an experienced team that is very athletic with good speed which will allow us to apply good defensive pressure. We will be a very strong offensive rebounding team and I believe this team can challenge the top tier teams this year,” said Everman. Trail has six seniors that include (3) - 5-10 guards Matt Gibbins, Cody Vance and Jon Day along with (3) forwards 6-3 Josh Arahood 7.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg, 5-11 Kaleb Rexrode 4 ppg and 6-0 transfer from Lincoln Dan Dillon who will provide toughness in the paint. Three juniors round out the varsity squad a 6-4 center Taylor Neal who lead the team last year in scoring at 11.5 ppg and 6.6 rpg, 6-2 forward Tanner Rhodus 5.7 ppg and a 6-2 forward transfer Brett Houdieshell. Don’t overlook the Blazers this year or you just might get singed.

Newton Indians
Head Coach: Ryan Tait, Varsity Assistants Jeff Case, Randall Jamison, JV Coach Chris Bucio
Newton is looking to improve upon their 3-18 and 2-10 record from last year and expect to be very competitive by working extremely hard this season.  Newton is featuring a new coach Ryan Tait who is looking to implement a more up-tempo style of play.  Due to the Indians lack of size they will rely on moving the ball up the floor quickly while playing an aggressive style of defense.  Coach Tait notes that they have everyone back from last year and is looking to improve at the varsity level. Leading the way will be three seniors Blake Filbrun, Chase Lavy and Jordan Ferguson. Four juniors return and include 3 starters Ryan Payne, Michael Fessler, Cody Jackson and Graham King. Underclassman who are looking to contribute is sophomore Jordan Hodges and freshman Bobby Gerodimos. No matter where Newton finishes in the league Coach Tait’s expectations are very high. “Wins and losses will come and go but our heart and effort will be there every game”, concluded Tait.

Tri-Village Patriots
Head Coach: Josh Sagester, Varsity Assistants Mick Sagester, Logan Brubaker and JV Coach Jeff Judy.
Tri-Village graduated 6 seniors from last year’s 14-7 squad including a 4-year varsity player in Tyler Greer. The team played well enough last year to be in a title hunt but finished in second place with a 10-2 record. Although Tri-Village returns just one starter (Drew Moore) and two other players (Cody Gunckel and Matt Miller) with varsity experience they expect to compete for bragging rights in the conference. Drew Moore poured in 16.3 points a game last year… but hopes to get contributions from 6-3 Gunckel (10ppg) and 6-5 Miller (5ppg & 5rpg) who will look to pick up for the loss of Tyler Greer. Coach Sagester feels their program experience along with the team’s athletic ability will be their strengths this year. They will need that experience and athletic contributions from their supporting cast if they intend to be in the hunt for a title down the stretch. Evan Catron a 5-11 senior guard will be starting and the fifth spot is between two juniors 6-2 Colby Morris and 6-1 Tyler Garland. The rest of the supporting cast is a 5-9 senior guard Craig Dill, a 6-1 junior guard Aaron Cassel, a 6-6 sophomore center Evan Barger and an athletic 6-0 freshman guard Kyle Pipenger.

Twin Valley South Panthers
Head Coach: Tony Augsperger and JV Coach Alex Roux
South is coming off an 11-11 campaign and 5-7 in the Cross County Conference. South lost high scoring Ryan Innis who transferred to Dixie… but Coach Tony Augsperger is known to reload and move on. Leading the program this year is a four-year varsity player Clint Spitler. Clint is a capable scorer 12.3ppg and 5-9 point guard who can run the show and has shown improvement in his decision-making ability along with a more consistent shot. He will be looking for help from (6) additional senior teammates. Senior post players are Eric Walker (6.9 ppg & 5.6 rpg) who at 6’4” has good post moves inside, 6-1 Levi Robbins (4.3 ppg) can be a dangerous shooter and 6-1 Willie Dawson is a good defender. Senior guards besides Spitler are 6-1 Jordan Combs a good slasher to the basket, rebounder and defender, 5-11 Ryan Nisius who has good range and also is a scrappy defender and 5-11 Cody Bryant. Juniors on the team are 5-9 Ryan Burns at the point and 5-11 Steve Balthis on the wing. Balthis is an exceptionally quick and gifted athlete and can be disruptive on defense. The lone sophomore on the squad is 6-3 Johnny Myers who has shown some offensive potential inside. Coach Augsperger believes they have good senior leadership, game experience and a lot of guys with good basketball skills. The key is developing chemistry working hard to improve on D and rebounding in order to have success. If they develop in those areas he expects to compete for a CCC, Sectional and District title.

Tri-County North Panthers
Head Coach: David Woodworth
Tri-County North was 4-17 and 3-9 last year and graduated Cody Burnside who provided them with 15 ppg. Also graduated is Andrew Werner who was a steady performer and team leader for the Panthers. Over the last couple of years the Panthers have performed at a fast pace on the hardwood and featured some high scoring games with some good offensive players. One such player returning to lead the Panthers this year is senior Brandon McAdams 15 ppg and is capable of filling it up in hurry. The only question mark for the team is can they improve on defense. If they work hard together as a team they will possess enough offense to improve upon last years record.

The 2009-2010 Cross County Conference Boys Basketball season is upon us and will provide the same challenges it has for the past decade. However, this year one team stands out front with the talent and skill level to possibly win an outright championship, that team is the Bethel Bees… but don’t be surprised if they share it with one or more teams in the conference.