Small School Boys Capsules: New Lex, Morgan highlight competitive division
West Muskingum ended its drought without a Muskingum Valley League title last season, but with the Tornadoes in a rebuild, can another squad step up to claim the Small School Division?
Rosecrans returns most of its starting lineup and key contributors off the bench, as the Bishops aim for a Mid-State League Cardinal Division title, as well as a lengthy postseason run.
Here's a look at the area's small schools before the season starts this weekend.
Big School Boys Capsules: Maysville, Tri-Valley highlight strong Big School Division
Big School Girls Basketball Capsules: Sheridan, John Glenn enter with high expectations
Small School Girls Basketball Capsules: Can New Lex make it 4 straight division titles?
West Muskingum
Coach: Jeff Rinkes, 35 years of coaching
Last year's results: 20-5, MVL Small School Division and Sectional Champions
Players graduated/lost: Jack Porter, Jake Allen, Noah Ray, Gage Newsom, Conner Paima
Returning letterwinners: Junior guard Connor Hill
Key newcomers: Sophomores Cade Porter, Kyle Porter and Tavin Bennett; Juniors Jack Pattison, Briar Rucker and Coleman Lloyd; Freshmen Carter Smith and Jason Nestleroad
Quote: "We are going to be extremely young and inexperienced. Losing 98% of our scoring will open up opportunities for our kids to learn and grow into their roles moving forward."
New Lexington
Coach: Jeremy Duerr, 8th year
Last year's results: 21-5, Sectional champions, District runner-up
Players graduated/lost: Lukas Ratliff, Ryan Hobbs, Isaac Dick, Brady Kennedy, Brody Agriesti, Joe Stenson.
Returning letterwinners: Junior guard Isaiah Stephens (MVL Small School Division Player of the Year, 1st Team MVL and District 12, 17 points per game); Junior guard Bentley Hanson (Honorable Mention MVL and District 12, 8 points); Senior guard Jerek Braglin, Junior forward Malakye Thresher.
Key Newcomers: Freshman guard Lane Ratliff, Sophomore guard Paul Stenson.
Quote: "I'm excited about this group and the process of figuring out what they are capable of together. We have some key pieces back from last year's team and some newcomers ready to step into larger roles this year."
Morgan
Coach: Rob Justice, 6th year
Last year's results: 10-13
Players graduated/lost: 7 seniors
Returning letterwinners: Senior guard Carson Mummey (1st Team MVL and District 12, 2nd Team East District, 20.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists); Senior guard Cutter Myers (Second Team District 12); Junior guard Tavian Myers.
Key Newcomers: Sophomore forward Luke Coleman, Sophomore guard Gavin Shriver, Sophomore forward Cole McGill, Junior forward Brylee Shannon
Quote: "Bomb Squad 6 is ready to go!"
Rosecrans
Coach: Todd Rock, 31st year
Last year's results: 19-4, 12-2 Mid-State Cardinal Division, 2nd place
Players graduated/lost: Weston Hartman, 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks
Returning letterwinners: Senior point guard Grady Labishak (22.7 points, 4.9 assists, 37% on 3s, 82.6% FT); Senior post Xander Daniels (7.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 61.9% FG, 21 charges taken); Senior shooting guard Brendan Bernath (6.8 points, 3.1 assists, guards other team's best player); Junior small forward James Goggin (3.6 points, 3.9 rebounds); Senior small forward Mikey Burkhart; Junior point guard Evan Bauer; Sophomore shooting guard Tyler Bernett; Sophomore guard Nick Bernath.
Key Newcomers: Junior small forward Caydin Sullivan, Sophomore guard Kohen Harris, Sophomore shooting guard Owen Lambert, Sophomore small forward Hayden Perdue, Freshman post Preston Farrell.
Quote: "With four starters returning, we are relying on them to be the leaders of this team and help bring the younger players along. Each player will need to step up to help replace Weston's 18 points and 8 rebounds. We open at Maysville and have added non-league games against Bishop Watterson and Martins Ferry, so we need to be ready to compete from Day 1."
Coshocton
Coach: James Herman, 25 years overall
Last year's results: 11-13 record, finished the season, winning 5 of 8 games, including a road upset of sixth seed Bellaire in the tournament.
Players graduated/losses: Zane Bryant, Camden Swigert
Returning letterwinners: Senior Bentley Cunningham; Senior Antwone Johns; Senior Coby Moore (10.7 points, 1.8 blocks); Junior Colton Conkle (averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.8 steals); Junior Logan Lonsberry; Sophomore JJ Herman.
Key Newcomers: Seniors, 6-3 Aiden Braxton and 6-0 Gage Wright; Juniors, 6-5 Alex Taylor and 6-0 Blayden Workman -- This group of newcomers brings size, athleticism, and immediate depth
Quote: "They finished last season playing some very good basketball and created a buzz in the Coshocton community. The young men are working extremely hard and enjoying an exciting brand of basketball. While the season progresses, they will gain confidence and benefit from a brotherhood developing in Coshocton. The Redskins hope to be competitive in a tough Muskingum Valley League. The MVL had 5 teams in the district finals last season and expects to be full of knockdown, drag out battles every night. Therefore, the race to win either MVL Division should be an exciting one. The great competition on a nightly basis in the MVL prepares teams for that all important third season of the year: the OHSAA playoffs!"
Crooksville
Coach: Shawn Chamberlin, 2nd year (25 years of coaching experience)
Last season’s results: 3-20
Players graduated/losses: Lost 8 seniors to graduation: Ryan Moore, Vaughn Childress, Landon Addington, Gunnar Chevalier, Raygen Wolfe, Brody Thomas, Trinton Cottrell, Cooper Watts
Returning letterwinners: Junior guard/shooting guard Konlan McIntyre (2nd team All-District 12, Special Mention All-MVL; 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists); Senior forward/center Ryan Taylor (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists).
Key newcomers: Sophomores Kyson Riggs, Jace Thompson, Parker Addington, Kale Spring and Grayson Houk, Juniors Tucker Watts and Bo White and Freshman Brayson Hill
Quote: "We are very young and inexperienced. However, the expectations are still very high. Our team despite being very young is very athletic and has a great attitude, work ethic and a willingness to improve every day. Many of these players have been playing with each other for many years, which shows in their ability to work together and their selfless mindset. Myself and our coaches are very excited to watch this team improve and grow throughout the season."
Meadowbrook
Coach: Teryn Jarrett, 3rd year
Last year's results: 1-22
Players graduated/lost: Dayne Singleton, Easton Eibel, Kordell West
Returning letterwinners: Colton Delancey (10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), Jake Burris, Masyn Campbell, Gunner Davis
Key Newcomers: Freshmen Michael Ray (point guard), Bentley Sedor (forward) and Austin Warner (guard)
Quote: We are young and energetic and looking to get back to Meadowbrook boys basketball.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: A look at the area's small school boys basketball squads
