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The 2025-26 WOAC Prep Girls Basketball Teams Previews.

The 2025-26 girls basketball season kicks off this evening and the league title chase should be an interesting one.  In 2024-25 three teams Arcanum, Mississinawa Valley and Tri-Village shared the WOAC league title, and all three teams again are considered front runners for this upcoming season. The Ansonia girls basketball team who finished 8-3 in the league last year and return everyone will also be a strong contender for a conference championship.

Mississinawa Valley (21-5, 10-1) – League Co-Champs – Coach Kirk Comer

2025-26 Mississinawa Valley Girls Basketball Team (Dale Barger photo)

Mississinawa Valley won their first conference title in girls basketball something they aspired to do since Taylee Woodbury and Syenna Purdin were in Jr. High. The Blackhawks went on to win a District Title the first in school history.  They advanced to the elite 8 before falling to Ft. Loramie in the Regional Championship game.

Woodbury who is the school’s all-time leading scorer is now playing at Georgetown College and already is making an impact at 7.1 ppg, 1.5 ast., and 3.4 reb.  Purdin is currently on the IU East basketball team in Richmond, Indiana where she is teamed up with fellow WOAC athletes; Alexis Gibbons of Arcanum and Rilee Terry of Tri-County North.

Coach Michael Paige who has led the Lady Blackhawks over the last few years is now coaching at Northmont making way for Kirk Comer who now will be leading Mississinawa this year.

Comer has plenty of experience coaching having been a head girls basketball coach for 30 years in Indiana. He spent the majority of his career at Jay County and most recently a year at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. Mackenzie Brubaker will be the varsity assistant and Lindsay Mackey and Terry Comer volunteer assistants. Keith Fields will be the junior varsity coach.

While the Blackhawks lost a couple of talented players they have plenty of talent returning that will be led by five seniors: Cora and Makenna Hoggatt, Paige Emrick, Brooklynn Seubert and Trinity Reichard.  The Hoggatt’s are dynamic athletes that make plays, Emrick is a pure scorer who can shoot from the outside and get to the rim. Seubert has good instincts for the ball both rebounding and scoring and will be a handful in the paint. The last senior is Trinity Reichard who will be a solid teammate, and all will contribute to this year’s team.

Returning Lettermen

Brooklynn Seubert* 12, 5’10, F - 13.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG

Paige Emrick* 12, 5’6, G - 12.4 PPG

Cora Hoggatt* 12, 5’10, F

Makenna Hoggatt* 12, 5’10, F

Tenlee Woodbury* 10, 5’4, G

Gretchen Rodeheffer* 11, 5’10, F

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Cassidy Seubert 9, 5’8, F

Lilly Geesaman 11, 5’8, G

Strengths/Keys To Success

The goal is to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season. Our strengths is we are versatile, can score inside or out, as well as in transition. We have good team depth, and we have a lot of experience returning.

Pre-Season Top Teams

1.Mississinawa Valley
2.Tri-Village
3.Arcanum
4.Ansonia

Tri-Village (18-6, 10-1) – League Co-Champs – Coach Brad Gray

2025-26 Tri-Village Girls Basketball Team (Dale Barger photo)

Last season the Patriots shared the WOAC league title. They would play up at DV in the post season but bowed out early in a tough overtime loss to a good Brookville team. The Patriots lacked size last year but made up for it by being quick, fast and scrappy. They will have the same look this year, but Sydnee DeLong returns after missing least year with an injury and she will join fellow seniors Addalyn Hines, Tai Mize and Alexa Light giving them lot of experience and talent to lead the Patriots in 2025-26.

Returning Lettermen

Adalynn Hines* SR, 5-5, Guard - 1st Team All-Conference last year. Adalynn is a dynamic scorer who has an extremely quick first step. She was our leading scorer last season.

Tai Mize * SR, 5-4, Point Guard -1st Team All-Conference last year. Tai is the definition of a true PG. She knows how to make those around her look good but putting them in positions to have success. Tai will continue her playing career at D2 Fairmont State.

Kenna Wilcox * JR, 5-7, Forward - 2nd Team All-Conference last year. Kenna is another kid who just has a knack for scoring the basketball. She can play both inside and outside. We will look to use her more with her back to the basket this year than we have the past couple of seasons.

Sydnee DeLong * SR, 5-8, Guard - missed last season due to ACL injury; was a 2-year starter prior to last season including and was 2nd Team All-Conference as a sophomore and Special Mention All-Conference as a freshman. Sydnee will be looked upon to be a lock down defender for us, and we will also try to use her to create mismatches offensively due to her ability to play multiple positions.

Mylee Bierly * JR, 5-6, Forward - Special Mention All-Conference last year. Mylee returns as leading rebounder from last year. We look for her to continue to be a strong rebounder for us and to continue to knock down open 3-point shots for us like she did last year.

Alexa Light * SR, 5-6, Forward - started for us last year as a junior but will likely come off the bench this year as a senior. Alexa has a very nice shooting touch from 15-20 feet.

Kaley Brandon * JR, 5-5, Guard - was typically 1st kid off the bench last year as sophomore. KB has a very high basketball IQ and understands how to play to her strengths. A very capable perimeter shooter who can also be used to help handle PG duties and very good off ball defender.

McKenzie Besecker * JR, 5-7, Post - was oftentimes our 1st post player off the bench last year. She is a really solid defender and rebounder.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Taytum Gray – FR, 5-3, Guard - Taytum will bring a scorer's mentality and a competitive drive to our team. She has the ability to knock down perimeter shots but will also look to attack the rim and get to the free throw line. We expect Taytum to be a significant contributor at the varsity level

Raegan Hunt – FR, 5-8, Forward - Raegan plays bigger than her listed height. She has a knack for winning lose balls and is an excellent defender with long arms. We believe she will keep getting better as the season goes.

Emma Greer – JR, 5-5, Guard - Emma is playing basketball again for the first time since her 8th grade year. She is a very competitive athlete who was the state player of the year in softball this past season where she led us to a state softball title. We are hoping that she can bring some of that leadership to the hardwood.

Strengths/Keys To Success

I would say our biggest strength is our overall basketball experience and then also our strong guard play. We will be looking to play the game at a very fast pace and will look to create a lot of open 3 point looks for our team as well as drives to the basket. Our kids have developed a pretty good chemistry with each other so that should help us to share the basketball in order to get the right kind of shots for our team. We will also look to bring a lot of pressure defensively both in the full court and half court. We will have to be able to rebound the ball effectively as a team due to our lack of size. We can't rely on one or two people to do all the rebounding for us.

Pre-Season Top Teams

Mississinawa Valley - they return some key players from the team that has had great runs in back-to-back years. Obviously they have to find a way to replace all the things that Taylee Woodbury did for them but with the experience that they have returning, they should have another great year. Coach Comer comes over from Indiana where he won a boat load of games and has a ton of big game experience.

Arcanum - another teams that returns a lot of key players from last year's team that had a deep tournament run. Much like MV, they have to find a way to replace all of the things that Alexis Gibbons did for them but with the other players having so much experience along with a great coach in Abbey Moore, I'm sure that they will be primed for another great season

Ansonia - Ansonia is going to be a handful for every team in our league. This is another team that returns most of their lineup from last year, but unlike MV and Arcanum, they return the large bulk of their scoring. London Reichert is a superb athlete with size and both Barga girls are excellent basketball players. It would not surprise me to see them in the top 2 at season's end.

Tri-Village - I feel as though we once again have the team to compete for a league title with everything that we return from last year and with what we add in getting DeLong back, Greer playing, and adding Gray and Hunt as incoming freshman.

Newton - is a team that could also surprise a lot of teams this year. They have to replace their post presence from last year, but they do have a very talented incoming freshman group.

Twin Valley South - returns a solid core from last year and very likely has the best true post player in our league in Day.

Tri-County North - is a team that has a very experienced guard in Cherry who has the ability to score the ball at a high level.

Arcanum (16-10, 10-1) – League Co-Champs – Coach Abbey Moore


2025-26 Arcanum Girls Basketball Team. (Handshoe Photography photo)

The Lady Trojans came on strong last year and hit a high mark with a big win over Mississinawa Valley that would create a 3-way tie and a share of the WOAC Title.  They would go on to win a DVI District Title before bowing out in the regional semifinal game.  The Trojans have to replace points 1,000-point scorer Alexis Gibbons who has moved on to play at IU East in Richmond. Arcanum’s Abbey Moore was the WOAC “Coach of the Year” last season and will have five returning letter winners including seniors Caroline Long and Avery Leeper to lead the team in 2025-26.

Returning Lettermen

Caroline Long * SR, F - Returning Starter 24-25: team leader 7.9 rpg

Avery Leeper * SR, G - Returning varsity player

Matty Noe * JR, PG/SG - Returning Starter 24-25: team leader 3.2 apg

Claire Hein * JR, G - Returning Starter

Josie Schwartz * SO, G - Returning varsity player

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Ella Flatter - JR, F moving up from JV

Adalyn Paul - JR, SG moving up from JV

Danicka Michael - JR, C moving up from JV

Ella Warren - SO, PG/SG moving up from JV

Addie Macy - SO, F did not play FR season due to a shoulder injury

Gabby Nottingham - SO, F will be playing both JV/Varsity

Strengths/Keys To Success

In order for our team to have success this season we are going to out-work our opponent each time we hit the floor. Our nonconference schedule may be one of the most difficult in the league. In order to reach our goals, we have to prepare ourselves and be battle tested by tournament time. There is no doubt in my mind that this group of girls is ready for the challenge. How we handle the adversity throughout the season will be the deciding factor on whether or not we get the privilege to still be playing basketball in March!

Pre-Season Top Teams

I know there is going to be a battle for the WOAC title this year. With having a three-way tie last season, I know all three of those schools are going to be highly motivated to win it outright this year, but that is not going to be easy for any three of those schools as we do have a lot of great coaches and teams that know they deserve a spot in the battle for the title! It should be a fun year, and I am very fortunate to have another opportunity to do what I love at such a great school with an awesome staff and an amazing group of girls!

Ansonia (13-10 8-3) – 4th Place – Coach Connor Custenborder

2025-26 Ansonia Girls Basketball Team. (Dale Barger photo)

Ansonia came on strong late last year and have an experienced core group of girls returning in 2025 and will be a strong team with speed, aggressive defense, shooters, rebounding and competitive fire and will not be an easy out for any team on their schedule this year.  Look for the Tigers to challenge for a league title this year.  Ansonia coach Connor Custenborder had his girls playing at a high level and the end of last year and is looking to start the 2025-26 season where they left off.

Returning Lettermen

Charlotte Barga* So 5’9” - G - 1st team WOAC as a freshman. Led us in points and steals. Receiving some NAIA and D2 interest and we expect her to receive more and more interest from schools as she enters into her Sophomore year.

London Reichert* Jr. 6’0” F - 2nd team WOAC the past 2 years. Led us in rebounds and blocks. On track to become the career leader in both of those categories at Ansonia. Had a great summer and started to receive some D2 interest over the summer.

Rose Barga* Sr. 5’8” - G – HM WOAC last year. She has definitely used that to motivate her heading into this year, as we think she may have been overlooked by some teams. Really excited to see the progress she made. Starting to receive some NAIA and D3 interest

Olivia Creager* Sr. 5’7” - G/F – A coach's dream player. Does all of the little stuff that only coaches notice. Guards the 1-5, finishes well around the rim, will run 4 of the 5 positions for us. She has the ability and work ethic to play at the next level.

Lydia Hahn* Sr. 5’4” - G – Lock down defender. Will guard the other team's best guard every game. Will have to have an extended role handling the ball this year than she has in the past Very coachable and willing to do all the little stuff. At 5’4” she will be one of our consistent box outs.

Autumn Best* So. 5’7” - F – Spark plug is the best way to describe her. She is all over the floor. One of the best athletes I’ve been around. Starting to develop more basketball skills coming off of her freshman year. We expect her to provide a lot of energy for us and create a lot of turnovers.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Shyann Mckenna So. 5’5” - G - Shy showed great spurts in the varsity action she did get last year. I think a year of playing JV and being the only primary ball handler was great for her. She is going to be expected to come in and handle a lot of ball pressure. She also has the ability to shoot the 3 that is going to help us spread the floor.

Lydia Klingshirn So. 5’11” - F – Injuries stopped her season last year. She was starting to build up a lot of momentum and playing really well for us on JV and was starting to carve out a role for herself on varsity right as she got injured. We expect her to give us good minutes and be a quality post player for us this year. She has a lot of potential, and we are excited to see that and hopefully for a healthy year.

Strengths/Keys To Success

Our strength is our experience. We have two seniors that will be 4-year letter winners. A Sr. and Jr. who will get their 3rd letter this year. And two So. that got letters as Fr. last year. We hope all of this experience helps us cut down on turnovers that have plagued us in the past. Another strength is our speed. We expect to play fast and up-tempo for 32 minutes a night regardless of the score. This year we have high hopes. We think we can compete for the conference title and make a tournament run. We hope to be recognized by our peers as being in the top tier of the conference and our girls getting the recognition we feel they deserve.

Pre-Season Top Teams

In no particular order, I think Tri-Village, Mississinawa Valley, Arcanum, and Ansonia will be the 4 teams competing for the conference title.

Newton (12-11) – 5th Place  – Coach Stefany Landis


2025-26 Newton Girls Basketball Team. (Handshoe Photography)

Newton under first year head coach Stefany Landis made strides last year and was a team at the end of the year you didn’t want to play.  The Indians have three capable returning starters and infuse a lot of young talent into the program and will be interesting to see how quickly they will mesh and contribute.  Like last year they will get better as the season goes along.

Returning Lettermen

Rylee Hess* Sr., 5’7, G - 2nd team All WOAC, 1st team District 9, Honorable Mention SW District. Averaged 11ppg, 7 reb, 4 assts, 4 stl. Team leader.

Brilie Hines* Sr., 5’4, G - Avg. 7 ppg, 3 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl. Defensive specialist will look for a larger offensive contribution this season.

Mya Denlinger* Jr., 5’4, G - Averaged 5 ppg, 3 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl. Will look for a larger offensive contribution this season.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Ani Cottrell Fr., 5’4, G - Top Incoming Freshman, Look to contribute offensively and defensively.

Tylea Jackson Fr., 5’5, G - Top Incoming Freshman, Look to contribute offensively and defensively.

Bentley Hess Fr., 5’6, G - Top Incoming Freshman, Look to contribute offensively and defensively.

Mayson Cosby Fr., 5’7, G - Incoming Freshman, look to contribute key minutes.

Kyleigh Holbrook Fr., 5’9, F - Incoming Freshman, look to contribute key minutes.

Paige Holbrook So., 5’9, F - JV player, may contribute some in spurts.

Strengths/Keys To Success

Coming off our first winning season since 2017-2018 and back-to-back winning conference records, we’re looking to keep building momentum. Although we graduated our inside forces – who accounted for a large portion of our scoring and rebounding – we return our three starting guards and welcome a talented freshmen class ready to make an impact. Though numbers remain a challenge, our focus this season will be on defense, intensity, pushing the ball, and executing in all phases of the game. We'll rely on smart play, high effort, and team health as we look to blend experience and youth for another competitive season.

Pre-Season Top Teams

There’s a lot of talent returning to the league this season. Both Tri-Village and Ansonia bring back their entire starting lineups, with Tri-Village also regaining a previous starter returning from injury. Arcanum and Mississinawa have multiple core players back.  This is a gritty league with tough players up and down the standings—every game will be a battle.

Twin Valley South (13-11, 6-5) – 6th Place – Coach Kerry Crouch

2025-26 Twin Valley South Basketball Team. (Champine Photography photo)

It was an exciting year for 1st year South coach Kerry Crouch taking over a team at the bottom of the league and guiding the Panthers to a winning season.  They would also win a few tournament games as well bringing excitement back into the basketball program.  They would graduate their leading scoring Jordan Ritchie and will need to find a way to replace those points. 

Returning Lettermen

Brylii Day* Sr 5’10 F Will be looking for her to get as many touches as possible for scoring opportunities. She broke the season rebounding record last season at TVS and has the potential to put up some big numbers this year. Last year 11.4 ppg, 13.8 reb

Maddy Nelson* Sr 5’4 G A very competitive guard who can defend and score the ball, she will be needed on both ends of the court for us to be successful again this year.

Grace Childers* Soph 5’4 G Has a great opportunity for a breakout year, very athletic, can handle the ball and score. Will be a key contributor.

Paityn Cross* Soph 5’7 F Worked very hard in the off-season and was in the gym playing every opportunity that she could. She will give us a very long and strong athletic forward who can guard at every position.

Amelia Suggs* Jr 5’6 F Will contribute this year, athletic and can shoot the ball. Looking for great things from her coming off a big injury this summer.

Ava Weldy* Soph 5’4 G Has grown tremendously already, very fundamental and has gotten more confidence in the off-season which will allow her to contribute at the varsity level.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Brooke Giggy Sr 5’6 G A great addition to our team, she can handle the ball and score the ball multiple ways. Very vocal, we will need her to control the game for us.

Josey Butler Soph 5’6 G Transfer from Eaton, very athletic, excelled in Track & Soccer at TVS. She will give us a very solid defender and continue to get better offensively as we go.

Strengths/Keys To Success

This is year 2 for me at TVS and we return 2 varsity starters but have a great group of kids that we have confidence in with them being on the floor at any time. I believe last season was a huge step in the right direction for this program. We need to continue to build from that and get better each time out. Our schedule this year could be the toughest TVS has had in a very long time, and it will challenge us for sure, but this is what we need to continue to grow, gain some experience in competitive games and be ready for the OHSAA tournament.

We graduated a group of seniors that helped us win 13 games last year, but we have also taken a huge hit with Kelsie Maggard being injured and out for the season. I do believe we have added a few key pieces, and we are a year older which is going to help. We will be a solid, athletic, competitive group that plays well together and are ready for the challenge. Our style of play won’t change much, we have the luxury of having an inside presence and athletic guards that can attack, distribute, score and defend.

Pre-Season Top Teams

This is in alphabetical order as I believe it's a wide-open race for multiple teams. Including Newton being a tough win for everyone involved. 1. Tri-Village 2. Mississinawa Valley 3. Ansonia 4. TVS 5. Newton (Sleeper)

Tri-County North (10-13, 5-6) – 7th Place – Coach Jessica Cherry-Spitler

2025-26 Tri-County North Girls Basketball Team. (Champine Photography photo)

Tri-County North lost some close games last year including a tough loss in post season by four points.  Expectations will be higher this year with senior Bella Cherry leading the Panthers. She is on pace to be for over 1000 points and becoming school’s all-time scoring leader.  She will have some help from fellow senior Jordan Pinion and will need additional help from some younger talent to win those close games this year.

Returning Lettermen

Bella Cherry* 12, 5’6”, G, 17.1 ppg, 4 assists, 5.4 steals, First Team All Woac, District POY, 2nd Team All state, holds all Assists and Steal records for TCN and will continue to add to those totals, this season. She is approaching 1000 points and could potentially be the all-time leading scorer for TCN after this season.

Jordan Pinion* 12, 5’8”, F, 6.7 ppg, 5.3 rebounds pg., District 15 All Star Team, Special Team All-WOAC, expect to see her help run the offense, contribute with her speed and be a threat on the boards.

Chloe Jackson* 12, 5’10”, C, Gained valuable experience last season and we expect her to contribute even more this season to go along with her senior leadership.

Lola Grieshop* 10, 6’0”, F, Freshmen year under her belt, will see valuable minutes this season and expect big things both in the paint and outside the paint.

Cadence Darnell* 11, 6’1”, C, Cadence will be a big contributor to the offense, defense and a threat on the boards.

Makenzie Woodrey* 10, 5’6”, F, Valuable experience last year and should see good minutes this year as an outside shooting threat.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Liv Lykins 10 F         

Chloe Oliver 10 F         

Mylie Myers 11 F         

Hailey Shannon 10 G        

Savannah Milknickel 9 F         

Looking forward to all these girls being contributors on the floor, getting some experience and they all have worked hard in the off-season

Strengths/Keys To Success

Our strengths are that we have some good returning experience and a lot of girls in the programs.  We are proud to have 17 girls total and are led by Bella Cherry who is the top returning scorer in the league and a second team all-state selection as a junior.  Along, with Senior Jordan Pinion that was Special Mention All-WOAC last season.  We lost a good player to graduation, so an important key for success this season is to find out who can be that next consistent second scorer

Pre-Season Top Teams

Tri-Village
Arcanum
Miss. Valley
Ansonia

National Trail (10-14, 4-7) – 8th Place – Coach Garrett Denlinger

2025-26 National Trail Girls Basketball Team. (Champine Photography photo)

National Trail coach Garrett Denlinger will be in his 2nd season and had the girls playing well late last year including an upset win over Tri-County North in the tournament.  They graduated a few that contributed but also return a key player in Morgan House who is the only senior on the squad.  They will be young with five freshman, two sophomores and one junior.

Returning Lettermen

Morgan House * Sr. C – 2nd Team All-WOAC, 3rd Team All-Southwest District, HM All-Ohio

Taylor Reynolds * So. G/F

Lillian Cordle Jr. G

Sammy Gardner So C.

Kinley Marker Fr. G

Madison Lawson Fr. F/G

Leigha Denlinger Fr. G 

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Meah Pearson Fr. F

Ioma Alavez Fr. G

Strengths/Keys To Success

This team is guard heavy and athletic.  We have quick guards that defend well in the half court. We are extremely young but very coachable and put forth a great effort.  Our goals this years are to consistently improve each game with our offensive production.

Pre-Season Top Teams

Tri-Village – They have a lot of returning talent coming back

Arcanum – They are solid with returning players and well coached

Ansonia – Scrappy team with physical players

Twin Valley South – Could be a tough match-up with Brylii Day inside

Preble Shawnee (6-17, 3-8) – 9th Place – Coach Anitra Roell

2025-26 Preble Shawnee Girls Basketball Team. (Champine Photography photo)

Preble Shawnee coach Anitra Roell will return in her 2nd year at the helm.  Last year the Arrows were a younger team and struggled offensively.  Those younger players will now have a year under their belt and in coach Roell’s system. Defensively the arrows will battle, look for them to make strides over last year.

Returning Lettermen

Aubrey Unger - Senior, 5’6”, Guard - Aubrey is a three-time player of the year for soccer in the WOAC.  She brings dominating athleticism and leadership to the team.  Aubrey was our MVP last year leading team in steals and points.  I am looking for her to do the same this year.

Josie Mondello-Garrett - Sophomore, 5’5”, Guard - Josie was a starter last year as a freshman. With a year of varsity ball under her belt I look for her to score more. Last year she was also one of our top rebounders.

Ava Apking -Senior, 5’5”, Guard - Ava is one of the best ball handlers in SW Ohio. I am counting on that skill to help her get to the basket and score some. She is not afraid to get in the paint and play the post position if needed.

Braelyn Tangeman - Senior, 5’10”, Forward - Braelyn is the glue that holds the defense together. She will continue to lead the defense.

Jenna Dixon - Sophomore, 5’10”, Forward - Jenna only played in the first month of the season last year before suffering a knee injury. She has recovered from surgery, and I hope to see her be one of our leading scorers.

Lainey Hawley - Junior, 5’10”, Forward - Lainey played limited minutes last season. She has worked on her shot in the off season and could make a big impact offensively. 

Autumn Ruble - Junior, 5’6”, Forward - Autumn is also a player that has worked in the off season. She has worked on ball handling and shooting. I am looking forward to seeing her on the court.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

We didn’t have a JV team last year so no new athletes to add to varsity, but I am excited to have a JV team back this season. There is one sophomore and five freshman. The potential in that group is very encouraging.

Strengths/Keys To Success

Last year we struggled to put points on the board.  Our main focus in the off season has been shooting the ball. I never doubt my teams ability to play any defense they are asked to play, but at the end of the day they have to score. I am hoping that the time spent in the gym will show and we will be able to win more games.  

Pre-Season Top Teams

It is hard to predict the competition in the WOAC. MV is under new leadership.  TV and Arcanum are always well coached and can compete.  I think TCN with Bella Cherry in her senior year will be aiming for the top spot along with TVS and Brylii Day.  

Bradford (4-19, 2-9) – 10th  Place (Will Not Have Team This Year)

Bradford will forgo the season this year due to low numbers and will work to improve those numbers after hiring a new basketball coach Jason Watercutter in September.  They had around five players showing up for open gyms and plan to work with them over the winter to keep skills sharp and hope to get more interest in the program.

Franklin Monroe (7-17, 1-10) – 11th Place – Coach Carrie Wood

2025-26 Franklin Monroe Basketball Team. (Lifetouch Photo)

Last year’s Franklin Monroe coach Tim Barga who recorded his 600^th career win during the year as a head coach in high school has moved on and the Jets will have a new coach leading the charges this year.  Her name is Carrie Wood, and she has 16 years of head coaching experience including the last 3 years at Franklin Monroe. Here experience also includes 8 years at Northmont JH, 4 years at Tipp City JV, 5 years with Dayton Metro 2030 Black.  She is currently the Girls Directo for Metro AAU directing 11 coaches.  Her passion is leading female athletes in a positive manner, helping them recognize their strengths, strength fundamentals and gain a better understating of the game.

Returning Lettermen

Caydance Nichols* Sr, 5’2, G - Dynamic force

Ava Figel* Sr. 5’1, G – Floor leader

Alivia Addis Sr. 5’7, F – Power Shooter, did not play last year

Kyra Brandt Sr., 5’4, G - Senior leader, did not play last year

Peyton Buhl* Jr. 5’7, F – Strong rebounder, positive leader

Reagan Flora Jr. 5’5, G – Sixth man, positive leader

Faith Wintrow Jr. 5’10, F – Strong defender and rebounder

Avery Riffle Fr. 5’8, G/F - Floor vision, shooter

Brinley Flora Fr. 5’5, G - Floor vision, shooter

Quincy Cox Fr. 5’7, F - Strong defender

Strengths/Keys To Success

As we rebuild this year, we find we are a little on the smaller side. We will use size and speed to our advantage. We will play at a faster pace when able and use our guards strength with ball handling to advance the game. We have a lot of great shooters as we continue to work on decision making, they continue to grow their shooting knowledge and knock down big shots. We hope to change the view of FM girls basketball. We want to get people talking and share our successes. This year we are going to surprise a lot of teams with our dynamic strengths.

Pre-Season Top Teams

Ansonia 
Tri-Village
Arcanum
Mississinawa Valley

All these teams have strong returning varsity players who will be key impactors this season.

Dixie (3-20, 0-11) – 12th Place – Coach Justin Keirns

2025-26 Dixie Girls Basketball Team. (Champine Photography photo)

Dixie will be led by Justin Keirns in his 2nd season.  The Greyhounds return six lettermen and will be vastly improved offensively and will be aggressive defensively.  Don’t overlook the Hounds are you might just get bit.

Returning Lettermen

Teegan Miller * Jr, 5’8, G - Returning PG for us with a good shot and excellent mid-range game.

Bethany Himan * Sr, 5’4, G - Returning SG with a great shot and the ability to play pressure defense.

Kaylie McConnell * Sr, 5’9, F - Returning F that does a little bit of everything. Strong enough to battle around the rim

Kendyl Hypes * Sr, 6’0, C - Returning C with length to finish around the rim and is the anchor of our defense. We expect her to be at the top of the conference in blocked shots!

Maddison Caldwell * Jr, 5’7, G - Returning athletic guard that gets downhill and will draw a lot of defenders with her drives in the paint.

Alondra Dietz Sr, 5’8, F - Physical forward that will mix things up with opposing bigs defensively.

Key Contributors/Newcomers

Emma McQueen * So, 5’4, G - Swing player from last season with a great shot and an overall fantastic understanding of the game. Will be one of our best true scorers.

Ella Kreitzer So, 5’9, F/C - Swing player from last year with a big role to fill at the varsity level. She has the athleticism to stretch a defense and strength to play in the paint as well.

Aaryah Jackson So, 5’7, G/F - Transfer with huge amount of potential. Plays the game hard at all times and will be a great player for us offensively and defensively.

Maddie Delong Jr, 5’7, G - Swing player from last year that will see minutes at the varsity level as a mid-range scorer.

Mylie Palmer Jr, 5’7, F - Swing player from last year that is a defensive specialist and has developed her offensive game tremendously.

Strengths/Keys To Success

This season the Lady Hounds will have a lot of depth to be able to compete. Returning 6 players from last season is huge for us and gave us a great opportunity to continue to develop as a program over the summer. All of our varsity girls are interchangeable and can fill multiple roles within our offensive and defensive schemes. Our senior class has set a great foundation for our program leading by example and paying attention to the little details and that has rubbed off on our ambitious underclassmen. Our keys to be successful on the court this season will be to utilize all 5 girls at all times. We have the experience and depth, and we need to take advantage of that making sure that all girls on the floor stay involved at both ends of the floor. We believe we will have a bounce back year this season and are looking forward to the season!

Pre-Season Top Teams

Tri Village - they have such a winning culture with a strong returning core group in Mize Hines and Wilcox and If you add Delong returning from injury this year I believe they will be hard to beat in the WOAC.

Ansonia- I believe they have the next best chance to win the conference. They return a lot of young talent with an upbeat style of play that will be hard to keep up with. Barga is one of the best scorers in the conference and will be a problem for years to come.

Arcanum- Coach Moore always has her program ready to compete, they will need to replace Gibbons talents’ on both ends of the floor, but I know that they will have several younger girls ready to play. Long is also one of the best post presences in the conference and will be tough to guard.

Mississinawa Valley - even losing the 2-time player of the year they will still be a tough program with several shooters and long guards that play solid defense. They return a core group of girls from last season that all play tough and will make them hard to beat.

Best of luck to all the WOAC Girls Basketball Teams this year.
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Coldwater rushed for over 300-yards and fights for 4th and 1 first down against Tri-Village.  The Cavaliers won the regional semifinal game 48-29. 

Story and Photos by Dale Barger

NEW MADISON – The Tri-Village football team spotted Coldwater 19 points, that slow start, along with a couple missed scoring opportunities and a powerful run game by the Cavaliers would end their season 48-29 in their OHSAA DVI regional semifinal game.

The Patriots received the ball to start the game and forced to punt on a three and out.

Coldwater wasted little time striking first in the game on a 64-yard pass from Karsyn Homan to Cadin Obringer jumping on top 7-0 at 9:09 in the opening frame.

Tri-Village’s second possession took them into Cavalier territory but couldn’t pick-up a first down on a 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 with Coldwater taking over on downs.

Coldwater’s Homan scored on an 8-yard run, they missed the extra point but led 13-0.

The Patriots punted on their third possession and Coldwater would score again on a Homan keeper 10-yards up the middle and the Cavs went up 19-0 at 9:09 of the second quarter.

“Tonight, we dug ourselves a hole to start the game and by the time we figure out we can play with these guys it's almost a little too late,” Tri-Village coach Matt Hopkins would say after the game.

In the middle of the pile is Trey Sagester who caps off a 98-yard drive with a hard one yard TD to get the PATS on the board before the half trailing 19-7.

The Patriots would figure it out just before the end of the first half with senior quarterback Trey Sagester going to work in the two-minute drill.  He would cap a 98-yard drive on a one-yard sneak, and an Owen Ridout extra point gave the Patriots a boost trailing 19-7 with 23 seconds left in the first half.

Coldwater crossed midfield just short of the range of their field goal kicker who was booming them from 50-yards in pre-game.  They would throw a Hail Mary pass to the endzone with Carson Bedinghaus intercepting the ball to end the first half.

It was no secret going into this one that the Patriots would need to play nearly perfect, but the slow start dug them a hole and now they would have to get a stop on the Cavaliers who got the ball to start the second half, then put up a score to make it a ballgame.

Coldwater though had their own plans to score and take away the spirit of Tri-Village.

They indeed did score a 21-yard Derek Dues TD that took six plays going 63 yards. Homan to Obringer pass for a two-point conversion pushed the margin to 27-7.

But they weren’t able to take the Patriots spirit with Noah Finkbine returning the ensuing kick-off out to the 50-yard line and four plays later Staley Colston plunged in from one-yard to close the gap  27-13 at 7:31 of the third quarter.

Staley Colston gets the one yard TD run behind Hunter Johnson, Levi Farmer and Jake Buckley blocking.

Coldwater though would score on their next two possessions on grind it out in your face running with Tri-Village unable to get off the field and found themselves down 41-13.

The Cavs scores came on a five-yard Homan run and then a 96-yard drive after holding the Patriots out of the endzone on fourth down and one at the 4-yard line.

“We knew what we had to do but our defense couldn't stop them, that's MAC football, right?  They’re going to line up double tights, line up in the eye, and run it down your throat and they just physically wore us down up front,” Hopkins described.

Tri-Village having been able to score all year needed one and got another nice kick-off return then took just 34 seconds to score on a 10-yard Sagester pass to Teddy Miller for the TD and a two-point conversion pass from Sagester to Richards to close the gap to 41-21.

Teddy Miller had a 21 yard catch and score diving into the endzone.

But the ground game of Coldwater continued to wear down the PATS and Derek Dues rumbled 44-yards to push their lead to 48-21 in the fourth quarter.

The Patriots offense went 67-yards in 8 plays in just 1:27 with Sagester throwing a 20-yard pass to Richards for the TD and a two-point conversion pass to Teddy Miller in what would end up being the final score for the game 48-29.  

Griffin Richards would get the last score in the game as he gets through the Coldwater defense for a 20-yard TD from Sagester.  

“After digging such a big hole, we finally believed we could play at the end of the first half.  That has got to come earlier, we’ve got to start believing on the kick-off and not be timid, trying to feel things out … but go pedal to metal and play as hard as we possibly can,” Hopkins said after the game.

“We can't worry about the name on their Jersey, right?  And understand they're the same 15- to 18-year-old knuckleheads we got but just live a little further north, and we're going to play football and make some mistakes but let's just go play,” Hopkins added.

And it is easy to understand why some would have that feeling of awe when playing Coldwater who is the defending State Champions and has won 8 state titles since 2005. 

It’s the type of game the Patriots need to play in just their 8^th year of varsity football who continues to make strides in their own program with their first undefeated regular season and a WOAC football championship. 

Regardless of what you heard about Coldwater being down this year they are a team who got better and better by being battle tested week by week and the Patriots have to learn how to compete against the Coldwater’s to reach their ultimate post season goal of making it to state.

“This game is a benchmark we got to know where we're at with this being year 11 for us as a program and how we are moving forward,” Tri-Village coach Matt Hopkins said after the game.

“We’ve played two really tough MAC schools in back-to-back years in the playoffs, and we're putting up points,” Hopkins said.

Tri-Village scored 51 points against Anna in 2023, 13 points verses Marion Local last year and 29 against Coldwater this year.  But the MAC is always going to be the juggernaught standing in the way to reach the goal.

“Last year against Local we scored the most points they had against them all year. This year we're putting up 30 points against a really good Coldwater team, and they've been playing football since Moses walked the Earth. We're just a baby compared to that. So, let's be upset about it, sad that it's over that we don't get to hang out every single day. But let's also understand that we're making leaps and bounds improvement, we're light years ahead of where we should be with such a young program,” Hopkins explained.

The Patriots got a big test as Noah Finkbine & Teddy Miller try to slow down Coldwater rushing game. The Cavaliers ran for over 300 plus yards in the game.

"We didn't quit, kept scoring, we just needed to string a couple stops but couldn’t do it but I’m extremely proud of this team, what a great group of kids, especially this senior group my first freshman to seniors group and I couldn't be more grateful and blessed to have such a great group of kids. from top to bottom just great leaders, workers, they're going to be great men. I'm sad for them, I know that they didn't want it to end this way, but they gave us everything we got. We got guys that are banged up, and they just kept playing, as hard as they possibly could. And sometimes, you know, your best isn't good enough and that's okay, the sun will still come up, and these kids will still be winners,” Hopkins concluded.

The Patriots will say good-bye to twelve seniors who have been in some big games over their four-year careers that includes a record of 42 wins, 8 losses, 3 regional semi-final appearances and 2 WOAC Championships.

Congratulations on a fine season.

The 2025 Patriot Senior Class has had the best 4-year stretch in the young program's history.  Senior L-R: Hunter Ridout, Noah Finkbine, Cam Poston Landen Moore, Hunter Johnson, Tommy Nuse, Logan Delong, Trey Sagester, Levi Farmer, Carson Bedinghaus and Lathen Wehr. (Not picture is Shawn Moore)

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Several WOAC Football Players earn All-Southwest District Football Recognition.

The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association has named the All-Southwest District Football Teams. The Western Ohio Athletic Conference is well represented in DV, DVI and DVII.

In DV Preble Shawnee Senior Quarterback Brody Morton led the way and was named the Offensive Player of the Year.  Morton’s four-year career includes a school record for passing yards with 7,251 which also puts him on the OHSAA State leader board.  Morton threw for 1529 yards, 20 TDs and ran for 1346 yards, 24 TDs for a total of 44 TDs. 


Preble Shawnee senior Brody Morton was recognized as the DV Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year.

DV Southwest District First Team Offense
Brody Morton                   - Backfield         - Preble Shawnee
Caleb Blankenship      - Receivers        - Preble Shawnee
Cooper Shrout                 - Linemen           - Preble Shawnee
Marcus Rayburn            - Linemen           - Arcanum

DV Southwest District First Team Defense
Colton Schroeder         - Punter                - Preble Shawnee

DV Southwest District Second Team Offense
MJ Macy                                - Backfield         - Arcanum

DV Southwest District Second Team Defense
Kolton Quiqney              - Linebacker    - Arcanum
Bishop Cartwright        - Secondary     - Arcanum

DV Southwest District Honorable Mention
Isaiah Frazee                     - Arcanum
Brayden Freeman         - Arcanum
Connor Rogers                - Arcanum

In DVI Tri-Village Senior Quarterback Trey Sagester was named the Offensive Player of the Year.  Sagester has thrown for 2234-yards, 34 TDs and rushed for 265-yards and 5 TDs this year.  In two years as a starter at QB Sagester has thrown for 5500 career yards and 72 TDs.



Tri-Village senior Trey Sagester was recognized as the Southwest District DVI Offensive Player of the Year.

Tri-Village Senior Linebacker Noah Finkbine was also named the Defensive Player of the Year.  Finkbine led the team with 151 tackles, 16 for losses and also contributed offensively with 539 yards rushing, 8 TD’s and 424 yards receiving with 4 TDs.

DVI Southwest District First Team Offense
Trey Sagester                    - Backfield         - Tri-Village
Griffin Richards              - Receiver           - Tri-Village
Dom Black                          - Linemen           - Tri-Village
Luke Vernon                      - Linemen           - National Trail

DVI Southwest District First Team Defense
Hunter Johnsman         - Linemen           - Tri-Village
Noah Finkbine                 - Linebacker    - Tri-Village
Colt Camacho                 - Secondary     - Tri-Village

DVI Southwest District Second Team Offense
Staley Colston                 - Backfield         - Tri-Village
Jonah Brinkley                 - Receiver           - National Trail
Levi Farmer                       - Linemen           - Tri-Village

DVI Southwest District Second Team Defense
Landen Moore                 - Linebacker    - Tri-Village
Grady Ott                         - Linebacker    - National Trail
Talon Bousman                - Secondary     - National Trail
Aiden Martin                     - Secondary     - National Trail
DVI Southwest District Honorable Mention
Cole Swafford                   - Dixie
Jody Wintrow                    - National Trail

DVII Southwest District First Team Offense
Jacob Schmitmeyer        - Backfield        - Ansonia
Oden Hoening                 - Lineman          - Ansonia

DVII Southwest District First Team Defense
Lucas Barlow                   - Linemen         - Twin Valley South
Luke Wright                     - Linemen         - Tri-County North
Frank Filbrun                   - Linebacker     - Tri-County North

DVII Southwest District Second Team Offense
Peyton Fannin               - Backfield          - Tri-County North
Lander Shives                - Backfield         - Ansonia
Kyle Wehrkamp              - Receiver          - Mississinawa Valley
Ty Houser                       - Linemen           - Mississinawa Valley
Bennett Woodyard         - Linemen           - Tri-County North

DVII Southwest District Second Team Defense
Colton Hiestand            - Linebacker        - Mississinawa Valley
Jake Norris                    - Linemen            - Mississinawa Valley
Cainan Robinson           - Secondary         - Ansonia

DVII Southwest District Honorable Mention
Corbin Flory                    - Tri-County North
Bryce Krickenbarger      - Tri-County North
Aiden Ritchie                  - Tri-County North
Mason Givens                 - Tri-County North
Grayson Woodworth      - Tri-County North

Congratulations to all our WOAC Football Athletes earning All-Southwest District Honors.


Tri-Village senior Noah Finkbine was recognized at the Southwest District DVI Defensive Player of the Year.

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Lainey Mercer - Twin Valley South, Haydn Davies - National Trail and Sallie Montgomery - Preble Shawnee participated in the District 15 Volleyball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game. (Coach Kaylie Case photo)

It was a good year for the WOAC in volleyball and several players were named to the volleyball coaches all district teams.

WOAC Schools in Division 5 & 6 District 15 Volleyball includes Dixie, National Trail, Preble Shawnee, Tri-County North and Twin Valley South.

Dixie jr. Kendyl Hypes was named District 15 Volleyball Player of the Year.
(Champine Photography photo)

Preble Shawnee’s Sallie Montgomery was the D5 Senior Player of the Year. 
(Champine Photography photo)

Twin Valley South’s Lainey Mercer was the D6 Senior Player of the Year.
(Champine Photography photo)

Twin Valley South coach Mary Johnson was named District 15 Coach of the Year.(Champine Photography photo)

List of District 15 Teams

First Team District 15
Kendyl Hypes                      -                Dixie
Sallie Mongomery            -                Preble Shawnee
Paityn Davidson                -                Tri-County North

Second Team District 15
Lainey Mercer                     -                Twin Valley South
Haydn Davies                      -                National Trail
Teegan Miller                       -                Dixie

Playing the District 15 Senior All-Star game were Sallie Montgomery – Preble Shawnee, Lainey Mercer – Twin Valley South, Haydn Davies – National Trail and Macy Price – Preble Shawnee.

WOAC Schools in Division 6 & 7 District 9 Volleyball includes: Ansonia, Arcanum, Bradford, Franklin Monroe, Mississinawa Valley, Newton and Tri-Village.

Arcanum’s Caroline Long was named D6 Volleyball Player of the Year.

Arcanum coach Jacie Holman was the D6 Volleyball Coach of the Year.

First Team D6 District 9
Caroline Long                     -               Arcanum
Kamryn Beisner                  -               Arcanum
Estie Rapp                          -                Newton
Gabby Kirby                        -               Tri-Village
Olivia Schmitmeyer            -               Ansonia

Second Team D6 District 9
Gracy Fry                            -                Arcanum
Grace Psczulkoski             -                Arcanum
Reagan Flora                      -                Franklin Monroe
Mya Denlinger                    -                Newton
Mylee Bierly                       -                Tri-Village
Lydia Hahn                         -                Ansonia

Honorable Mention D6 District 9
Zoe Ayette                          -                Tri-Village

First Team D7 District 9
Cora Hoggatt                     -              Mississinawa Valley

Second Team D7 District 9
McKenna Hoggatt            -                Mississinawa Valley

Honorable Mention D7 District 9
Allyson Waymire              -                 Mississinawa Valley
Danika Neargarder          -                 Mississinawa Valley

The District 9 Senior All-Star game will be played on Wednesday November 12th, 6:30pm at Versailles High School.  Playing in the event will be Olivia Schmitmeyer – Ansonia, Cora Hoggatt – Mississinawa Valley, Makenna Hoggatt – Mississinawa Valley, Allyson Waymire – Mississinawa Valley, Caroline Long – Arcanum, Grace Fry – Arcanum, Kamryn Beisner – Arcanum, Estie Rapp – Newton and Aubrey Stetzel – Newton.

Congratulations to all the WOAC Volleyball players earning post season awards and participating in the All-Star Games.

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Soph running back Ethan Mauller fights for yards in playoff game at Indian Lake.

Photos by Don Selanders

LEWISTOWN – Preble Shawnee nearly pulled off a 2nd round upset at Indian Lake in an OHSAA DV football playoff game. The Lakers were able to hold on for a 17-14 win to advance to the regional semifinals.

Indian Lake took an early lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Brady Golliday to Brodey Reisinger for a 7-0 start for the home team.

The Arrows who fell to the Lakers last year on their own field in the 2nd round responded on their first drive with Brody Morton capping it on a one-yard keeper to tie the game at 7-7.

Brody Morton scores on a one-yard run. He had 74 yards rushing and 112 yards passing in the game.

Both teams were unable to score the rest of the first half … but the Arrows had a golden opportunity to take the lead. 

Indian Lake’s Noah Shirk was able to pick off a Brody Morton pass in the back of the endzone with time dwindling down to keep the game tied at the break at 7-7.

Indian Lake got a big play from Golliday in the third quarter on a 43-yard pass to set up another 3-yard pass to Reisinger to move ahead 14-7.

The Lakers add a 32-yard field goal in the 4th quarter to improve their lead to 17-7.

Junior receiver Caleb Blankenship hauls in this 19-yard TD pass from Morton to get the Arrows 17-14 but the clock would run out on their comeback attempt.

Preble Shawnee needing a score bad got one as Morton and company orchestrated a drive that culminated with a 19-yard pass to Caleb Blankenship to narrow the gap to 17-14 with just over two-minutes left in the game.

Indian Lake to milk the cloc and hang on for a 17-14 win.

The #2 seeded Lakers in DV Region 20 advances to the regional semifinals and will host #11 Cincinnati Mariemont next week.

Preble Shawnee closes out their 2025 season with a fine 10-2 record and a second place finish in the WOAC at 8-1.

Preble Shawnee fell to the Lakers for the 2nd straight year in the Regional Quarterfinals concluding a good season. 

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