Boys Basketball 2020-21 Overview Capsules

Cardington Pirates

» Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic.

» Coach: Mark DeLaney (first season, 75-40 overall)

» Assistants: Eric Barrison, James Crockett, Devon Brooks.

» Last Year: 10-14.

» Roster: Avery Harper (Sr., 6-1), Mason White (Sr., 6-0), Zach Lester (Sr., 6-1), Trey Brininger (Sr., 6-3), Garrett Thompson (Sr., 6-0), Gabe McConnell (Sr., 6-1), Legend Williamson (Jr., 5-11), Connor Mcle (Jr., 6-0), Nathan Hickman (Jr., 6-2), Bryce Moodispaugh (Jr., 5-9), Dillon Minturn (So., 5-11), Gavyn Crockett (So., 6-0), Eli Huffman (So., 5-11), Dalton Edwards (So., 6-0), Sam Wilson (So., 5-11), Ryan Clinger (So., 6-1), Evan Patterson (So., 5-8), Jeffery Jackson Jr. (Fr., 5-8), Isaiah Ward (Fr., 5-6), Jacob Bailey (Fr., 5-10), Devin Koehler (Fr., 5-8), Owen Lilly (Sr., 5-4), Zane Everly (Fr., 5-7), Trent Fee (Sr., 5-9), Camron Bowling (Fr., 5-10), Caden Dewitt (Fr., 5-6), Merek McClure (Fr., 6-1), Luke Visconti (Fr., 5-7), A.J. Hall (Fr., 5-10), Jason Bockbrader (Fr., 6-3), Adian Reitmire (Fr., 6-0).

»The Skinny: DeLaney is in his first year as the head coach at Cardington ... He's had previous stints at Wynford and Fredericktown among other stops ... He likes the team chemistry with the Pirates, but he's concerned about missing players during the season due to COVID-19 and quarantining ... Brininger is a three-year letter winner, while Avery Harper has two letters, and Mason White, Zach Lester and Nathan Hickman all return from last year.

» Comment: DeLaney wants his team to get better every day.

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Elgin Comets

» Conference: Northwest Central.

» Coach: Bill Clem (eighth season, 64-97).

» Assistants: Steve Freshour, Layne McElroy.

» Last Year: 13-10.

» Roster: Kecher Clark (Sr., 6-2, f, 2.6 points per game, missed large part of last season with a broken hand), Jason Hines (Sr., 6-2, F), Nate Grim (Jr., 6-4, F), Haiden Gruber (Jr., 5-10, G), Bernie Lehman (Jr., 5-10, G), Isaac Dillon (So., 6-0, G), Carson Rife (So., 5-11, G, 3.5 ppg), Harrison Sager (So., 6-4, F, 3.7 ppg, 5.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 blocks per game).

» The Skinny: The Comets feature good size ... They play hard, are selfless and are coachable ... They will need to replace All-Ohioan Ryan Sheridan's 20 points per game as well as the production offered by Evan Backensto, Carter Sager and Justin Brown ... They are a young team with just three letter winners back ... Perry, Upper Scioto Valley and Ridgemont all won between 15 and 17 games last season and return a lot from those squads, but the Comets want to compete with them atop the standings.

» Comment: "Our goals is to finish above .500 for the third time in the last four years," Clem said. "To reach this goal we are going to have to improve throughout the season and be playing our best basketball down the stretch."

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Gilead Christian Eagles

» Conference: Independent Christian Schools Organization.

» Coach: Jay Baldridge (first season).

» Assistants: Corey Gamble, Beth Mandeville.

» Last Year: 3-16.

» Roster: Jungi Jeong (Sr., G, 5-6, 12 ppg), Connor Page (Sr., G, 5-9, 13 ppg), Craig Brokaw (Sr., G, 5-9, 3 ppg, 3 steals per game), Jimmy Brokaw (So., G, 5-7), Isaiah Brown (Jr., 6-4, C), JD Heimrel (So., 6-1, F), Justin Kirk (So., 5-10, G/F), Kirby Roles (Fr., 5-10, F), David Zieber (Eighth grade, 5-11, C).

» The Skinny: The Eagles get athleticism, size and leadership from its upperclassmen ... The team philosophy centers around hard-nosed defense and running on offense ... Depth and staying healthy are concerns ... The bench is inexperienced ... Gilead Christian wants to win more than seven games this season, which would be a school record ... The Eagles want to establish a foundation and build a program as they enter the new Independent Christian Schools Organziation.

» Comment: "We have used the mentality that tomorrow is never given," Baldridge said. "That has helped our team to develop the theme of giving it their all every day."

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Highland Scots

» Conference: KMAC.

» Coach: Christian Toombs (first season)

» Assistants: Ty Stover, Brett Behnfeldt, Curt Belcher.

» Last Year: 2-21, 1-11.

» Roster: Wyatt Groves (Sr., G), Bryant Marcum (Sr., F), Landon Remmert (Sr., F), Jordan Bellamy (Jr., F), Garrett Fitzpatrick (Jr., F), Ashton Hamilton (Jr., G), Cooper Merckling (Jr., G), Rider Minnick (Jr., G), Kadin Murta (Jr., F), Taz Taylor (Jr., F), Gavin Hankins (So., G).

» The Skinny: The Scots return seven letter winners led by seniors Groves, Marcum and Remmert ... They have a team-first attitude, are competitive and have shown a willingness to sacrifice individual goals for the team ... They need more depth and are lacking in varsity experience.

» Comment: "The Fighting Scots had a tremendous summer where they saw new workouts and skill development brought to the forefront. All levels of the program will play hard, honor the past, respect the game, excel in the classroom and enrich our community," Toombs said.

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Marion Harding Presidents

» Conference: Mid Ohio Athletic.

» Coach: Don Worstell (seventh season, 68-70; 23rd overall, 256-233).

» Assistants: Dustin Ellis, Doug Virden, Chris Schertzer, Nate Riddle, Curtis Manley, Trey Price, Scott Murphy, Mitch Uline, Ryan Sayre.

» Last Year: 10-13, 7-5.

» Roster: Ayden Rich (Sr., 6-2, 7 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, HM MOAC and District 11), Caden Morris (Sr., 6-3, 8.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, second-team MOAC and District 11), Devin Bonney (Sr., 5-11, 6 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.5 apg), James Netters (Sr., 5-11, 2 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg), Wes Stokes (Jr., 6-4), Riley Keeran (Jr., 5-11), Amare Pedraza (Jr., 6-2), Payne Ratliff (Jr., 6-1), Brady Wink (Jr., 5-10), TeSean Jefferson (Jr., 5-9), Hayden Bays (Jr., 6-2).

» The Skinny: The Presidents feature good length ... They are a close-knit group ... They are concerned about COVID-19 and its impact on the season ... They must replace their top two scorers in Mitch Myers and Tabias Thompson-Reece and two of their better defenders in Darnell Flournoy and DeMarco Brown.

» Comment: "We want to be very competitive in the MOAC and very competitive throughout our schedule. We want to do this while maintaining a great environment for our players to grow and share what should be a great experience," Worstell said.

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Mount Gilead Indians

» Conference: KMAC.

» Coach: Dan Strasser (third season, 15-31).

» Assistants: Gary Bartlett, Joe Dunn.

» Last Year: 9-14, 7-7.

» Roster: Jackson Huffer (Sr., 5-9, G, second-team KMAC and District 11, 30% 3-pt, led KMAC with 47 4-pointers and 59 steals, 3 apg), Darren Mounts (Sr., 6-3, F/C), Turner Fitzpatrick (Sr., 5-9, G), Paul Butterman (Jr., 6-2, G), Matthew Bland (So., 5-9, G), Carter Kennon (So., 6-1, /F), Jack Rogers (Jr., 6-2, F/C), Colson Chapman (Jr., 5-8, G), Garrett Lamb-Hart (Jr., 5-9, G), Owen High (So., 6-0, G/F), Elijah Chaffin (Fr., 5-11, G), Logan High (Fr., 5-9, G), Quade Harris (Fr., 6-0, F/C).

» The Skinny: The Indians bring back six letter winners including starters in Huffer, Bland and Kennon ... Mount Gilead lost a pair of all-leaguers in Nate Rogers who averaged 10.5 points and 11.3 rebounds to lead the area and Joel Butterman who averaged nine points and 3.3 assists.

» Comment: "Our goals this season are a little different than normal seasons," Strasser said. "Our first goal every season is to win a KMAC title. This year our first goal is to have a season. We want to make sure we can play as many games as possible. We are trying to focus on the things we can control, and we remind ourselves of that every day."

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Northmor Golden Knights

» Conference: KMAC.

» Coach: Blade Tackett (first season).

» Assistant: Justin Mattix.

» Last Year: 16-8, KMAC co-champs, sectional champs.

» Roster: Preston Harbolt (Sr., 6-2, F), Kooper Keen (Sr., 6-6, F), Andrew Armrose (Jr., 6-1, F), Graesin Cass (Jr., 5-9, G), Logan Mariotti (Jr., 6-0, G), Gavin Miller (Jr., 6-4, F), Duston Sanders (Jr., 6-7, P), Griffin Workman (Jr., 6-0, G), Maxton Lower (So., 6-3, F).

» The Skinny: Tackett takes over for longtime Northmor coach Zach Ruth ... The Golden Knights have length and a work ethic ... They will apply defensive pressure this season ... They need to find consistent scoring as they look for varsity experience ... They must find production from newcomers after losing their top three scorers — Blake Miller, Hunter Mariotti and Logan Randolph — to graduation ... Miller was a three-year starter, while Mariotto and Randolph started the last two seasons.

» Comment: Tackets wants to see Northmor compete for more league and sectional championships this year.

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North Union Wildcats

» Conference: Central Buckeye, Mad River Division.

» Coach: Brian Terrill (21st season, 294-132).

» Last Year: 24-1, CBC Mad River and Division III sectional champs and district runners-up.

» Roster: Preston Crabtree (6-2, first-team CBC, Central District, All-Ohio), Trevyn Feasel (5-11, second-team CBC), Hudson Davis (6-4), Owen Davis (6-3), Zach Vernon (6-7, HM CBC), Aaron Krebehenne (5-8), Tucker Wedding (5-8), Kolden Wiley (6-2).

» The Skinny: The Wildcats are coming off a historic season at the school going undefeated in the regular season and finishing as district runners-up ... They bring back several pieces from that squad, including All-Ohio wing Preston Crabtree ... North Union will utilize its great size around the court.

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Pleasant Spartans

» Conference: MOAC.

» Coach: Ben Snively (eighth season, 114-59, 16th overall, 204-144).

» Assistants: Bob Smith, Mike Kile, Ty Williams.

» Last Year: 10-13.

» Roster: Alex Pratt (Sr., 5-10), Kaden Ralston (Sr., 6-2), Austin Shaffer (Sr., 5-10), Grant Kantzer (Jr., 5-10), Peydon Gosnell (Jr., 6-0), Caleb Lichtenberger (Sr., 6-1), Trey Booker (Fr., 5-10), CJ Temple (Jr., 6-0), Jake Williams (Jr., 6-3, played at River Valley ), Ethan Lichtenberger (Jr., 6-1).

» The Skinny: The Spartans are hard workers who buy into the team concept ... They lack size and experience, and not much is coming back in terms of points per game from last year, so they will rely on several players to pick up the slack ... Pleasant needs to be a solid defensive team, and it needs to rebound despite its size ... Graduated from last year are Patrick Blubaugh, Cohl Ambrose, Alex Joachim, Noah McGinniss and Luke Thomas.

» Comment: "We want to be competitive night-in and night-out in a tough league," Snively said.

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Ridgedale Rockets

» Conference: Northern 10 Athletic.

» Coach: Mike Mathey (second season, 8-14; fifth overall 19-74)

» Assistants: Kyle Mathey, Jason Burns.

» Last Year: 8-14.

» Roster: Michael Burns (Sr., 6-3, HM Central District, 7.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Kaden Lester (Jr., 6-0, 4 ppg), Adam Beard (Sr., 5-10, 7.1 ppg, 4 rpg), Alec Gordon (Jr., 6-3, 5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Preston Long (Jr., 5-8), Braxton Fosnaugh (Jr., 6-3), Xander Ruth (Jr., 5-8), Nathan Thiel (Fr., 6-1), Austin Oney (Sr., 6-0), Collin Stephens (Jr., 6-0), Kareem McGary (Sr., 5-10), Gavin Parish (Fr., 5-9).

» The Skinny: Ridgedale has size this season ... Finding consistent scoring will be key ... They must replace All-Ohioan Clayton Lust and point guard Sam Leach, who combined for more than 23 points per game a year ago ... Colonel Crawford, Upper Sandusky and Mohawk will be atop the N10 standings, but the Rockets hope to join the others in the middle of the pack behind them.

» Comment: Mathey wants his team to compete each time it steps on the floor.

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River Valley Vikings

» Conference: MOAC.

» Coach: Rodney Brown (second season 11-12; ninth season, 80-106).

» Assistants: Shane Chapman, Josh Loyer, Ryan Stover, Brian Spires.

» Last Year: 11-12.

» Roster: Dylan Johnson (Sr., 6-2, G, HM All-Ohio, 18 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.2 spg, 67 made 3-pt for 36%, 42% 2-pt, 79% FT), Karson Lang (Jr., 6-2, G, 8.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4 apg, 1.3 spg, 53% 2-pt), Ethan Bell (Sr., 5-10, G, 16 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.5 spg, 33% 3-pt with 62 makes, 50% 2-pt, 68% FT), Jevin Beard (Jr., 6-1, G, played at Buckeye Valley last season, 6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 55% 2-pt, 28% 3-pt, 65% FT), Klayton Kenney (Sr., 5-10, G, 8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 36% 3-pt on 27 makes, 49% 2-pt, 83% FT), Joey Dranschak (Jr., 5-9, G,), Ben Mayse (Sr., 6-0, F, 5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1 apg, 44% 2-pt), Brayden Boyd (Jr., 5-11, G, 1.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg), Chase Aiken (Sr., 6-0, F), Luke Strine (Jr., 5-11, G), Cayden Shidone (So., 5-10, G),, Jahki Henderson (Sr., 6-6, F, 9.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1 spg, 61% 2-pt, 63% FT).

» The Skinny: The Vikings return eight letter winners who have rich varsity experience, and did not lose a player to graduation a year ago ... They are hard workers who have put in countless hours in the gym to get better ... They have a lot of shooters and ball handlers, and their length and athleticism should help them this season ... River Valley must improve its defense and rebounding ... They need to find a defensive identity.

» Comment: "We cannot rely on trying to outscore people, but must stop them first," Brown said, adding that they need to play with grit and heart at both ends of the floor. "We want to improve every day and compete at a high level. If we can do these things, I believe we can compete for the league title and make a run in the tournament."