Last season’s standings
Team Division Overall
Wayne 10-0 22-2
Northmont 7-3 15-7
Centerville 5-5 10-13
Beavercreek 5-5 8-13
Fairmont 2-8 4-17
Springfield 1-9 5-16
Springfield
Head coach: Isiah Carson, second season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Brantley Davis, 6-0, G; Darryl Perry, 6-6, C. Rashad Hurt, 5-7, G. Juniors — Sean Burroughs, 6-6, C.
Newcomers: Seniors — Braylin Collins, 6-0, G; Taylor Francis, 6-3, G; Drew Hardy, 6-3, F; Jonathan Gummel, 6-2, F. Juniors — Kamarta Curry, 5-11, G; Ryan Minney, 5-11, G; John Carson, 5-9, G. Freshman — Henry Alexander, 5-10, G.
FYI: The team graduated five seniors, including leading scorers Akeem Freeman (11.7 points) and Antonio Ferrell (11.1 points). ... Davis is the team’s returning leading scorer (10.1 pts). ... Former South coach Larry Ham returns to the bench this fall as an assistant under his former player, Carson. Neal Browning, who coached Carson in elementary school, is also a member of the Wildcats coaching staff.
Coach’s quote: “You’ll see an improved team. We’ll be a pretty good ball club this year. The guys have worked very hard over the spring, summer and fall. We’re excited. We saw some success this summer at some camps and shootouts. I think we’re continuing to get better and the guys are excited.”
Central Buckeye Conference
Kenton Trail Division
Last season’s standings
Team Division Overall
Bellefontaine 10-0 21-2
Tippecanoe 6-4 15-7
Tecumseh 6-4 10-11
Stebbins 3-7 9-12
Shawnee 3-7 9-13
Kenton Ridge 2-8 8-13
Kenton Ridge
Head coach: Kris Spriggs, 19th season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Christian Thompson, 6-3, W; Adam Roberson, 6-1, G. Junior — Aaron Davis, 5-11, G.
Newcomers: Seniors — Nick Lias, 6-5, P; Warren Napper, 6-4, P; Davante Harper, 6-3, P. Juniors — Jordan Goodfellow, 5-11, G; C.J. Justice, 5-6, G; Chase Black, 6-6, P; Eric Scott, 6-0, F; Jonah Colvin, 6-1, F; Nick Lacey, 6-2, F.
FYI: Lias returns to the team after missing last season with an ankle injury suffered during football season. ... The Cougars graduated Clark County co-Mr. Basketball Luke Mamer, who averaged 16.7 points per game last season.
Coach’s quote: “This year’s team returns one starter from a year ago. We will be inexperienced, with only three players with varsity experience. The team has worked extremely hard in practice and the team chemistry is coming along with so many new players.”
Shawnee
Head coach: Chris McGuire, seventh season.
Returning letterwinners, newcomers: Roster unavailable until after football season.
FYI: The team graduated eight seniors, including leading scorer Steve Sarven (13.7 points).
Coach’s quote: “We are getting a late start, but we realize no one is going to feel sorry for us. Once we get the team together, we will work as hard as possible to get better every day. With the loss of eight seniors from last year, we have some holes to fill and roles to define. We look forward to the challenge.”
Tecumseh
Head coach: Roger Culbertson, 12th season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Trent Mead, 5-11, G; Jordan Gozelski, 6-4, F; Scott Snarr, 5-10, G; Codi Frank, 5-10, G; Chase Culbertson, 6-2, G.
Newcomers: Senior — Alex Sheets, 6-2, F. Juniors — Gabe Winans, 6-4, F; Morgan Clark, 6-0, G. Sophomores — Dalton Davis, 5-9, G; Casey Stafford, 6-0, G.
FYI: Leading scorer Mike McKee (13.2 points per game) graduated. ... Frank averaged 9.4 points and 4.6 assists last season.
Coach’s quote: “We have several returning varsity players from last year’s team and have added several younger kids that will give our team depth. We plan to do many of the same things we’ve done in the past. Our keys for a successful season will be rebounding and sharing the basketball.”
Central Buckeye Conference
MAD RIVER Division
Last season’s standings
Team Division Overall
Graham 10-0 18-5
Urbana 8-2 17-6
Northwestern 5-5 7-14
Indian Lake 3-7 4-17
Ben Logan 2-8 4-17
Greenon 2-8 4-17
Graham
Head coach: Brook Cupps, 12th season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Austin Hicks, 5-10, G; Austin Morgan, 6-2, F; Alex Mosbarger, 6-0, F. Juniors — Grant Goddard, 5-9, G.
Newcomers: Seniors — Grant Hall, 5-10, F; John Buena, 5-7, G. Junior — Floyd Lowry, 6-1, G. Sophomore — Wiatt Hanlin, 6-1, F. Freshman — Devon Allen, 5-7, G.
FYI: The Falcons won their fourth straight CBC Mad River Division title last season. ... They graduated Nick VanHoose, the two-time Mad River Division Player of the Year.
Coach’s quote: “We have a hard-working and unselfish group of guys again this year. We are limited in several areas, so we’ll have to find ways to overcome those deficiencies as a team. If we can continue to improve and gain consistency, I think we can be competitive this season.”
Greenon
Head coach: Tim Lacy, fourth season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Josh Pilcher, 5-10, G; Josh Bannick, 6-2, C; Seth Currier, 6-1, F. Junior — Cody Carpenter, 5-10, G.
Newcomers: Seniors — Aaron DeBolt, 5-10, G; Brandon McNeil, 6-1, F. Juniors — Kyle Devore, 6-1, F; Anthony Colletti, 6-1, F; Travis Gray, 6-3, F. Sophomore — Zach Restau, 6-0, G.
FYI: Pilcher, an All-CBC Mad River Division first team selection last season, led the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game.
Coach’s quote: “We are small, so our strength right now lies in our guard play, with Pilcher leading the way. Bannick is our leader in the paint. If we are strong on defense and we can improve on our shooting, we can very easily compete this year.”
Northwestern
Head coach: Bill Smith, second season (24th overall).
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Tyler Marton, 5-11, W; Jesse Auckerman, 6-1, P. Juniors — Tevin Springs, 5-9, G; Cody Lough, 6-2, P.
Newcomers: Juniors — Jordan Hall, 6-0, W; Justin Phlipot, 5-9, W; Arian McCorkle, 6-5, P. Sophomores — Kent Roberts, 5-8, G; Brett Siemon, 6-1, W. Freshmen — Kyle Baxter, 5-10, W; Erik Vondenhuevel, 6-6, P.
FYI: Springs was the team’s starting point guard last season. ... They graduated leading scorer Levi Burns, who led the CBC in scoring the last two seasons. He averaged 21.0 points per game last year.
Coach’s quote: “We’re very young with just two seniors on the roster. We will play hard both offensively and defensively and play together.”
Urbana
Head coach: Jeremy Dixon, eighth season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Zach Stillings, 6-6, F; Karl Singer, 6-2, G. Juniors — Joe Wright, 5-10, G.
Newcomers: Juniors — Tristan Singer, 6-1, G; Connor Johns, 5-10, G; Jailin Logwood, 6-1, F; Britton McCreight, 5-8, G. Sophomores — Alex Niswonger, 5-10, G; Dillon Knueven, 5-10, G; Justin LeVan, 6-2, F.
FYI: Stillings was a first team all-CBC and District 9 selection last season after averaging 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. ... The Hillclimbers advanced to the district final for the first time since 2003. They graduated eight seniors from last year’s squad.
Coach’s quote: “We have a great bunch of guys who work very hard. Finding defensive consistency and depth will be our focus.”
Ohio Heritage Conference
Last season’s standings
Team Division Overall
Greeneview 12-1 20-3
Cath. Central 11-3 15-5
WLS 9-5 11-9
Southeastern 7-7 9-11
Mechanicsburg 6-8 9-11
Triad 5-8 8-11
Northeastern 4-10 7-13
Cedarville 1-13 4-16
Catholic Central
Head coach: Dan Shay, sixth season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Brian Kelly, 6-2, G; Jake Aldridge, 6-2, F; Calum Latham, 6-4, G; Sean Halpin, 6-3, F; Dale Maloney, 5-8, G. Junior — Mark Ellis, 6-1, P.
Newcomers: Seniors — Brad Kelley, 6-0, G; Michael Sheehan, 5-11, G. Juniors — Reed Buxton, 6-0, F; Hassan Hashemi, 6-4, P; Dimitrious Dimitroff, 5-8, G. Sophomore — Will Johnson, 6-1, G.
FYI: Gone are Hayden Hagerman (18.0 ppg), Alex Chase and Corey Timmons; Kelly averaged 14.0 points per game last season. ... The Irish have 33 players, the most they’ve had during Shay’s tenure.
Coach’s quote: “It’s been an interesting preseason because we’ve started so late with football and soccer season and some retreats and holidays at school. We’re still trying to find an identity. Defensively, we’re still trying to get to the right spots.”
Cedarville
Head coach: Ryan Godlove, first season.
Returning letterwinners: Senior — Luke Swaim, 6-2, P. Juniors — Jordan Reese, 6-2, F; Stefan Biddinger, 5-11, G; Kyle Oldiges, 6-1, G/F.
Newcomers: Juniors — Jaden Smith, 6-2, F; Joe Vine, 6-2, P; Tim Waymire, 5-7, G; Thomas Sizer, 6-1, F. Sophomores — Hudson Grant, 5-11, G; Tyler Everidge, 6-3, F.
FYI: Godlove takes over for Todd Shuttleworth, who coached the Indians for five seasons. ... The Indians graduated Luke Sheridan and Taylor Kordic, both four-year starters.
Coach’s quote: “I’ve been very impressed. I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress from open gyms to where we are now. Each scrimmage we’ve taken major steps. We’ve been hitting discipline, fundamentals and playing hard. Those are the things we’re trying to push. If we keep working on those things, everything should fall together.”
Greeneview
Head coach: Bill Green, fourth season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Eric Green, 5-11, G; Kenny Lawson, 6-5, F; Garrett Hudson, 6-3, F. Junior — Evan Bradds, 6-7, F.
Newcomers: Senior — Adam Elzey, 6-3, F; Garrett Sargent, 5-8, G; Kyle Combs, 6-2, G; Jesse Steward, 5-10, G; Kaleb Carter, 5-8, G. Junior — Tyler Bruntz, 6-1, G.
FYI: Bradds, an Ohio University recruit, averaged 17.0 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. He was D-III District 9 Player of the Year. ... Bruntz, a transfer from Yellow Springs who played seventh and eighth grade at Greeneview, averaged 15.3 points per game last season. Combs moved into the district after playing in all 20 games at Xenia last year. ... The Rams have advanced to the district finals two years in a row. ... The Rams will be without last season’s OHC Player of the Year Ronnie Drinnon, who’ll miss the season after violating the school’s athletic policy.
Coach’s quote: “If we play defense and rebound, we’ll be competitive with most teams we play.”
Mechanicsburg
Head coach: Paul Hershberger, Jr., second season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Cody Callicoat, 6-5, F; Derik Frost, 6-4, C; Josh Rousculp, 5-8, G. Sophomores — Luke Marsh, 5-9, G; Nick Callicoat, 6-6, F.
Newcomers: Juniors — Kory Widay, 6-4, C; Joel Frost, 5-8, F. Sophomores — Matt Bogan, 5-10, G; Brandon Purk, 6-1, G.
FYI: Derik Frost is the team’s returning leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.6 points and 9.1 rebounds last season.
Coach’s quote: “We’ve got high expectations this season. We have a nice mix of experience and youth that provides good team chemistry. Our team motto stems from our successful summer season — Work hard, have fun. We feel if we accomplish these two things on a daily basis, we will have an enjoyable season. We will be relying heavily on our senior leadership. Their experience will be a guiding light for the talented youth.”
Northeastern
Head coach: Chad Mossing, second season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Travis Hardesty, 6-5, F; Sterling Shoemaker, 5-8, G. Juniors — Daniel Lenk, 5-9, G; Cody Parker, 6-4, F; Andrew Williams, 6-4, F.
Newcomers: Senior — DaMichael Guy, 6-2, F. Junior — Michael Schmid, 6-2, G. Sophomore — Nick Wiseman, 6-2, F.
FYI: Lenk is the team’s returning leading scorer at 11.3 points per game. ... The Jets graduated Mark Schwitzgable, the team’s leading scorer at 12.8 ppg.
Coach’s quote: “We are young, but the guys are working hard, working together and improving.”
Southeastern
Head coach: P.J. Bertemes, seventh season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Preston Snodgrass, 6-1, F; Josh Black, 6-1, P; Tommy Brown, 6-4, P; Luke Pavlatos, 5-11, G. Juniors — Duncan Mercer, 6-4, F; P.J. Banion, 6-4, P.
Newcomers: Seniors — Jordan Hitt, 6-0, G; Michael South III, 6-2, F. Juniors — Zane Grove, 5-10, G; Eli Lloyd, 6-5, P; Cody Craft, 6-3, P; Alex Lancaster, 6-4, P.
FYI: The Trojans’ graduated leading scorer Tyler Cooper (10.5 ppg).
Coach’s quote: “We have a bunch of tall, athletic kids who are learning how to work hard. We have a chance to be a good team if we can find some leadership, consistency and overall toughness.”
Triad
Head coach: John Millice, sixth season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Hank LeVan, 6-0, W; Addison Ford, 5-8, G.
Newcomers: Juniors — Karson Funderburgh, 6-3, P; Christopher Knott, 6-3, W; Jacob Watkins, 6-0, W; Slade Perry, 5-9, W; Josh Watson, 6-2, W. Sophomores — Collin Watson, 5-7, G; Seth Donohoe, 6-1, W; Ainsley Ford, 6-1, P; Doug Lowe, II, 6-1, P; Evan Jones, 5-10, W.
FYI: The Cardinals graduated five seniors, including four starters. They lost about 80 percent of their offense.
Coach’s quote: “We’ve got two varsity players back this year in Hank LeVan and Addison Ford. We’ve got a lot of new youth on our team.”
West Liberty-Salem
Head coach: Aaron Hollar, 14th season.
Returning letterwinners: Senior — Micheal Mack, 5-9, G. Juniors — Riley Sims, 6-2, P; Landon Hormann, 6-5, F; Grant Burden, 6-2, G.
Newcomers: Juniors — Ross Hickenbottom, 6-2, G; Max Bailey, 5-10, G; Matt Ulmer, 6-2, P. Freshman — Connor Woods, 6-0, G.
FYI: Leading scorer Andy Daulton (13.0 points) and top 3-point shooter Ben Rutan (36.5 percent) both graduated. ... Hormann was the team’s leading rebounder last season at 6.5 per game.
Coach’s quote: “The team showed a lot of improvement a year ago, and the potential is there to improve even more. Our success will be determined by how well we defend all year long.”
Metro Buckeye Conference
Last season’s standings
Team Division Overall
Troy Christian 11-1 14-7
Dayton Christian 10-2 13-8
Middletown Christian 6-6 9-12
Yellow Springs 6-6 8-12
Emmanuel Christian 5-7 9-12
Miami Valley 3-9 6-16
Xenia Christian 1-11 2-19
Emmanuel Christian
Head coach: Danny Wingate, first season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Kevin Stewart, 6-0, G; Jared Klawer, 6-2, F. Juniors — Ryan Mahoney, 6-1, G; Darius Stroder, 6-2, F. Sophomore — Collin Hennigan, 6-2, F.
Newcomers: Sophomore — Kyle Gosney, 6-1, F. Freshman — Evan Livingston, 5-7, G.
FYI: Wingate, a former player at Malone College, takes over for Danny Moore, the program’s only coach since the school opened 10 years ago. ... The Lions graduated Jason Reep, who averaged 15.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Coach’s quote: “With everything being new, it’s a learning process for everyone. We’ve got a new staff and guys who are new to the schools. Everything is being taught over again. It’s coming along. We’re not where we want to be, but you don’t win championships on Dec. 1.”
YELLOW SPRINGS
Head coach: Brad Newsome, 11th season.
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Greg Felder, Jr., 6-1, G; Antone Truss, 5-10, G; Austin Pence, 6-1, F; Cole Edwards, 6-2, F; Jake Fugate, 5-10, G. Juniors — Roland Newsome, 6-2, F; Robbie Jones, 5-10, G; Murphy Davidson, 6-0, F.
Newcomers: Senior — Jacob Trumbull, 5-9, G. Junior — Jacob Roe, 6-4, P. Freshmen — Jared Scarfpin, 5-10, G; Ian Chick, 5-10, G; Bryce White, 5-5, G.
FYI: Felder tied for the area lead with 4.8 assists and was second in the area with 1.8 blocks per game.
Coach’s quote: “The challenge will be to transform from individuals to a team. To sacrifice personal stats and individual desire for the good of the team. To trust and believe in each member of the team. If we can do those things, we have a chance to reach our potential as a team.”
— Compiled by Michael Cooper
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