The 2021-22 high school basketball season is fast approaching, with many schools looking to compete for their respective conference championships, as well as long runs in the late winter/spring’s state tournament.
Here are some of the area teams for the upcoming year, and what to look out for:
CARROLLTON WARRIORS
Head Coach: Mike Aukerman
2020-21 record: 5-18
Conference: EBC
Returning lettermen: Darick Miller (11.0 points per game, 6.6 rebounds)
Brock Smith (7.2 points)
Jaxon Rinkes (6.6 points)
Micah Barkan (2.3 points)
Lincoln Mallarnee (1.5 points).
Season Outlook: I really like how this group plays and communicates. We will compete every night. Our rotation will be very limited in experience but will improve throughout the season. We want to be playing our best ball in February and March.
Conference Outlook: Alliance brings back the most firepower and should be the favorite. However, West Branch and Canton South should be right there as well. Salem is always loaded with talent, and Marlington brings back a lot of their scoring from last year in addition to a healthy Evanich. Minerva has a great leader in Costea that will have them in every game. The league will be very competitive from night to night.
CLAYMONT MUSTANGS
Head coach: Gary Watkins
2020-21 record: 7-16
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Cory Edwards, 6-1 senior forward
Connor Lynch, 5-10 senior guard
Cade Watkins, 6-0 senior guard/forward
Graydon Mooneyham, 6-0 junior forward
Top newcomers: Nate Barnabi, 5-10 junior guard
Bryce Murray, 5-10 junior forward
Jesse Seibert, 6-2 junior post
Brody Moreland, 5-10 sophomore guard
Dillon Watkins, 6-0 sophomore forward
CONOTTON VALLEY ROCKETS
Head coach: Jeremy Ady
2020-21 record: 5-10 (2-10 in IVC North)
Conference: IVC North
Returning lettermen: Garson Imes, 6-0 senior forward
Maddox Walters, 6-0 senior forward
Brett Putnam, 5-10 senior point guard
Braylen Novak, 5-10 senior forward
Adam Walker, 5-11 senior guard
Damon Reardon, 6-0 junior guard/forward
Gaige Galigher, 5-11 junior guard
Evan Siedel, 5-10 junior guard.
Top newcomers: Evan Rice, junior
Justin Lambert, junior
DOVER
Head coach: Bob Von Kaenel
2021-22 record: 16-5, East Central Ohio League Champs
Conference: ECOL
Returning lettermen: Mikey Beal, 6-4 senior post
Joey Farthing, 6-5 senior wing/post
Ayden Hall, 6-3 senior point guard
Tyler Little, 6-0 senior post
T.C. Molk, 6-1 senior wing
Daniel Pfeiffer, 6-1 senior post
Ben Hamm, 6-2 junior wing.
Top newcomers: Tyler Stevenson, 6-1 junior wing
Brett DeVault, 6-2 junior wing
Matthew Gigax, 6-4 junior post
Jackson Lurie, 6-3 junior post
EAST CANTON
Head Coach: Ryan McGonagle
2021-22 record: 5-12 (5-7 IVC North)
CONFERENCE: IVC North
Returning lettermen: Landen Demos, senior
Mario Snellenberger, senior
Luke Riley, senior
Dominic Hicks, senior
Chase Vacco, senior
Alec Penrod, senior
GARAWAY
Head coach: Terry Rowe
2020-21 record: 9-12
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Brendan Chapman, 6-3 senior post
Sam Page, 6-1 senior post
Drew Mullet, 5-9 junior guard
Alex Roden, 6-2 junior guard
Brady Roden, 6-2 junior guard
Jarett Wallick, 6-2 junior post
Logan Yoder, 5-10 junior guard.
Top newcomer: Jenson Garber, 6-0 sophomore guard.
HILAND HAWKS
Head Coach: Mark Schlabach
2020-21 record: 19-9 (10-2 IVC South)
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Chris Shetler, Forward, Senior
Grant Miller, Point Guard, Senior
Tony Yoder, Guard, Senior
Caden Miller, C/F, Senior
Dylan Weaver, Guard, Senior
Top newcomers: Sammy Detweiler, Guard, Sophomore
Carson Habeger, Guard, Junior
Team’s Strength: We have a big senior class. They should be able to provide a lot of leadership. We have a number of players that are good shooters.
Area to Improve On: Defense, Transition Defense, Team Rebounding
INDIAN VALLEY BRAVES
Head Coach: Tyrone Miller
2020-21 record: 9-15 (3-9 IVC)
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Lucas Hagan 6’ Senior, Guard (14 ppg)
Caleb Wells 5’10” Senior Guard
Cam Anderson 5’11” Senior Forward
Isaac Klaserner 6’ Junior Guard
Tyson Pryor 6’2” Sophomore Guard/Forward
Season Outlook: This team works hard every day to improve. We hope to hang our hat on the defensive end of the floor.
Conference Outlook: The league should be very well balanced again. There are lots of talented players and coaches in our league that make each game a challenge for us.
NEW PHILADELPHIA QUAKERS
Head Coach: Matt Voll
2020-21 record: 13-10
Conference: ECOL
Returning lettermen: Kayden Schoelles, Sr., 6-3 Guard
Jadan Lowery, Sr., 6-6 Center
Carter Vandall, Jr., 6-5 Forward
Michael Vickers, Jr., 6-6 Guard
Colton Slaughter, So., 6-1 Guard
Top newcomers: O’Rhen Martin, Sr., 6-3 Forward
Brandt Wells, Jr., 5-10 Guard
Owen Miller, So., 6-2 Guard
Owen Schoelles, So., 6-6 Center
Season Outlook: With five returning lettermen, the team should have a solid foundation in order to develop and improve our skills and practice habits. We want to make a strong commitment towards teamwork, defensive intensity, and rebounding.
Conference Outlook: The schedule includes eight Division I opponents. It will be challenging with the goal to be playing our best basketball come tournament time.
MALVERN HORNETS
Head coach: Dennis Tucci
Last year’s record/finish: 21-5 (10-2 IVC North Co-Champs)
Conference: IVC North
Returning lettermen: Noah Ball, 6-5 senior;
Connor Lefevre, 6-3 senior
Michael Minor, 6-6 senior
KJ Thomas, 6-0 senior
Bryson White, 6-2 senior.
Top newcomers: Dylan Phillips, 6-1 sophomore
Mitch Minor, 6-4 sophomore
J’Allen Barrino, 6-1 sophomore (transfer from Minerva)
Ja’Son Barrino, 5-8 junior (transfer from Minerva)
NEWCOMERSTOWN TROJANS
Head coach: Kevin Fondale
2020-21 record: 1-18
Conference: IVC North
Returning lettermen: David Newkirk, 5-9 junior guard;
Trenton Newkirk, 6-3 senior post
Braxton Wilson, 6-0 senior guard
Gavin Prysi, 6-0 junior post
Evan St. John, 5-10 senior guard
Braden Somogye, 6-1 sophomore forward
Jayson Sanders, 5-10 sophomore guard
Top newcomers: Damion Newkirk, 5-7 sophomore guard
Javen Fitch, 6-1 sophomore forward
Hunter Amore, 5-10 junior forward
RIDGEWOOD GENERALS
Head coach: Troy Dolick
2020-21 record: 19-6
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Gabe Tingle, 6-0 senior guard
Dalton Patterson, 6-1 senior forward
Kiegenn Millender, 5-9 senior guard
Kadin Bradford, 6-4 senior center
Braden Maleski, 5-11 senior guard
Josiah Cahill, 6-0 junior guard
Kauelen Smith, 6-1 junior forward.
Top newcomers: Kolby Masloski, 6-2 senior center
Zander Stroup, 5-11 senior guard;
Kaleb Schrock, 6-2 junior forward
Quincy Hains, 6-0 junior forward
Cohen Cabot, 5-10 junior forward
Trent Warden, 5-8 junior guard.
SANDY VALLEY CARDINALS
Head coach: Gary Offenberger
2020-21 record: 8-11.
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Mason Tucci, 5-11 senior guard
Brandon Wigfield, 6-0 senior guard
Kaiden Mastri, 6-2 senior post
Ben Petro, 5-10 senior guard
Brandon Young, 6-1 senior post
Dominic Price, 5-9 senior guard
Jordan Wigfield, 5-11 senior guard
Nick Petro, 6-0 sophomore guard
Dantae Faiello, 5-11 sophomore guard.
Top newcomers: Troy Snyder, 6-0 sophomore wing
Isaiah Williams, 5-11 junior wing
Connor Ritter, 5-11 junior wing
James Crowe, 5-11 junior wing
Lorenzo Montemezzo, 6-2 junior wing
Luke Williams, 5-8 freshman guard
Lucas Gilland, 5-11 freshman wing
Isaac Smith, 5-11 freshman wing
Anthony Ross, 5-10 freshman guard
Deaune Earley, 6-0 freshman post
STRASBURG TIGERS
Head Coach: Adam Hall
2020-21 record: 15-10 (10-2 IVC North Co-Champions)
Conference: IVC North
Returning lettermen: Dylan Walker (Jr./Guard)
Cole Hutchison (Jr./Forward)
Top newcomers: Matt Stevens (Guard)
Andrew Harvey (Guard)
Landon Potopsky (Guard)
Noah Doerschuk (Forward)
Elijah Fierbaugh (Forward)
Jacob Ross (Forward)
Mason Wagner (Guard)
Matt Cox (Guard)
Team’s Strength: Guard Play/Perimeter Shooting
Area to Improve On: Developing a presence inside
TUSCARAWAS CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Head Coach: Mickey Sabin
2020-21 record: 11-9 (10-2 IVC North Co-Champions)
Conference: IVC North
Returning lettermen: Hunter Sabin, Senior/Guard
Adam Decaminada, Senior/Forward
Jacob Renicker, Senior/Forward
Kayden Crosier, Junior/Guard
Zander Sabin, Junior/Guard (18.5 PPG, All-Ohio Honorable Mention)
Top newcomers: Jordan Cherry, Junior/Forward
Drew Lakota, Junior/Guard
Thayne Mahaffey, Junior/Center-Forward
Team’s Strength: Very long and athletic, much better defensively than last year
Area to Improve On: Rebounding
TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS
Head coach: Terry Sites
2020-21 record: 20-5 (11-1 IVC South Champs)
Conference: IVC South
Returning lettermen: Logan Stotzer, 6-1 senior guard
Dawson Williams, 6-2 senior forward
Kolton Kohler, 6-1 senior forward
Connar Newsome, 6-0 junior guard
Cody Robinson, 6-2 junior guard
Silas Miller, 6-3 junior forward
Top newcomers: Caleb Weiland, 6-6 senior center
Beau Wolf, 5-9 senior guard
John Leffler, 6-2 sophomore guard
Cole Clements, 6-3 sophomore forward
WEST HOLMES KNIGHTS
Head coach: Don Hall
2020-21 record: 16-7, 3rd in OCC
Conference: OCC
Returning lettermen: Blake Morrison, 5-9 senior guard
Brock Zimmerly, 5-11 senior guard/forward.
Top newcomers: Evan Estill, 6-1 senior post
Channer Wells, 6-1 senior guard
Owen Jeffries, 5-10 junior guard/forward
Zevin Proper, 5-10 junior guard
Mason Wolfe, 6-2 junior forward
Zander Shultz, 6-0 junior guard
Korben Felton, 6-1 junior forward
Collier Cline, 5-9 sophomore guard
Nate Fair, 6-2 sophomore guard/forward
Sam Sprang, 6-0 sophomore guard/forward
Kyle Maltarich, 6-1 sophomore guard
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