The school districts on the eastern side of Miami County are getting the early season nod as the front runners of the CCC boys basketball action this winter. Miami East and Bethel return key players from last year that battled for the CCC crown. While the East side of Miami County gets the early season nod, the rest of the CCC will bring a competitive season to the hardwood this year. Franklin Monroe, Arcanum, Twin Valley South, Covington and Tri-Village bring back impact players from last year that will factor into the race for the CCC Crown.

1. Miami East
Head Coach: Allen Mack; JV Coach: Justin Roeth; Varsity Assistan Rick Hickman; Freshmen Coach: Tom Meyer
Returning Players: All CCC, 6’0” Sr., Dan Hickman (18.8 PPG); All CCC, 6’2” Jr., Logan Carey (11.4 PPG); Special Mention, 6’3” Jr., Tyler Dunivan (7.9 PPG); 6’2” Sr., Kyle Karadak; 6’0” Sr., Tyler Beard; 6’3” Sr., Aaron Mitchell; Key Contributors: 6’2” So., Justin Hershberger; 6’4” So., Evan Wolf; 6’0” Jr., Lucas Hershberger; 5’7” Jr., Nick Hirsch

The Vikings return 2 time All CCC player Dan Hickman who lead the team offensively in points and assists, but also lead the team in steals last year. Hickman was the District 9 Co-player of the year and is one of the front runner picks for CCC player of the year. Joining Hickman will be his senior wingman, All CCC Logan Carey. Carey is the beneficiary of Hickman’s steals as he is usually the one finishing off the score on the fast break. Tyler Dunivan returns to the post where he became a force as a sophomore. Combine 3 of the stronger players in the conference with the Allen Mack defense that gave up 51.4 PPG last year and you have the makings of a conference champion.

2. Bethel
Returning Players: Special Mention, 5’9” Jr., Jon Sutton (9.4 PPG); Honorable Mention, 5’9” Jr., Dan Yates (12.7 PPG); 6’3” Jr., Scott Masin (13.8 PPG); 6’2” Jr., Mike James (10.4 PPG); 6’2” Sr., Tim Walters (7.2 PPG); 6’0” Sr., Mike Kley; 6’5” Jr., Grant Samuel; 6’6” Sr., Nick McIntosh; Key contributors up from JV: 6’3” So., Ben Schwieterman; 6’1” So., Kody Kahle

The Bees return all the firepower that put up 60 points per game last year with juniors and sophomores. For the Bees to contend for the CCC crown they will have to improve on the defense that also gave up 60 points per game. With Sutton and Yates out front the Bees have two guards with the basketball sense and quickness to compete with any front court in the league. James adds a 3 point threat while Masin, Walter and Samuels add the threat from the paint. The Bees have the components to make some noise in the conference race but the question remains if they can make the defensive stops in the big games.

3. Franklin Monroe
Head Coach: Dane French; JV Coach: Dave Horner; Varsity Asst: Vic French
Returning Players: Sr., Lane Lucas; 5’8” Sr., Ty French; 6’4” Sr., Heath Kaufman; 6’2” Sr., Gavin Glascoe; 6’4” Sr., Austin Pressly; Key Contributors from JV:; 6’5” So., Van Spitler; 5’10” So., Nate Feitshans; 5’10” So., Tyler Brehm

The Jets lose 17 PPG with the graduation of Bill Taylor and Ethan Nealeigh but return to play the team D established by Coach Dane French that lead the league with 51 PPG. The Jets return the size to compete with any team in the league and Lucas and French supply the experience from the guard positions. The question for the Jets will be coming up with offense and who will be that clutch player when they need a bucket. Coach French notes that this year’s team must be more physical and improve on their D from last year to be successful.

4. Arcanum
Head Coach: Brian Gunter; JV Coach: Kevin O’Dell; Assistant Coaches: Brian Brandon (Freshmen) and Travis Binkley
Returning Players: Honorable Mention, 6’5” Sr., Brenton Balsbaugh (10.9 PPG); Special Mention, 6’3” Sr., Braden Means (12 PPG); 5’10” Sr., Seth Paulus; 6’1” Sr., Jordan Greve (5.5 PPG); All CCC, 6’3” So., Austin Burner (10.6 PPG)
Key Contributors from JV: 5’10 Sr., Chris Workman; 6’1” Sr., Travis Hill; 6’0” So., Ryan Burns; 6’0” Jr., Chris Barga; 6’2” Jr., Dylan White; 5’10” So., Derrick Baker; 6’1” Jr., Zack Brandon;

The Trojans return key players from last year’s district runner up team and what they return is size and senior leadership. The major question is how this group of seniors replaces the absence of Clint Hale and Travis Binkley at the guard positions. Second year coach Brian Gunter preached team ball last year and the results were obvious for the Trojans. If the Trojans can find an individual or a team to help take care of the rock so they can feed the half court set, they will be very dangerous.

5. Twin Valley South
Head Coach: Tony Augspurger
Returning Players: All CCC, 6’0” Jr., Clint Spitler (14.5 PPG); Special Mention, 6’3” Jr., Ryan Innis (13.3 PPG); 6’3” Jr., Tyler Smith; 6’4” So., Eric Walker
Key Contributors;

The good news for TVS is that there are no seniors on this year’s team and they are still projected to be in the upper half of the CCC standings. Two of the reasons for the optimism are the return of Clint Spitler who is a 3 year starter and Ryan Innis who can be streaky hot from beyond the arc. Augspurger has described Spitler as a QB running on option offense and if he sees the floor and makes good decisions with the basketball he will improve the performance of everyone around him.

6. Covington
Head Coach: Roger Craft; JV Coach:
Returning Players: Special Mention, 6’3’ Sr., Andy Sparks (7 PPG); 5’11” Sr., Nate Lavey; 5’7” Sr., Kyle Kanet; Jr., Adam Craft; Jr., Ben Christian; Jr., Jordy Meyer (7.1 PPG); So., Josh Boehringer; Key Contributor(s) from JV: Jr., Garrett Clark; Jr., Garrett Sprankle; So., Eric Beckstedt; So., Jake Bitner; So., Tyler Noffsinger; So., Martin Leistner

The Buccs brings back a young team that gained valuable experience last season. 7 letter winners return to bring the Buccs out of their uncharacteristic 3-9 finish from last year’s campaign. The only thing lacking from the characteristic hard nose defense and physical play from last year’s team was offense (45 PPG). Expect the experience and the confidence gained from last season to propel the offense and the Buccs into the mix in ’09.

7. Tri-Village
Head Coach: Josh Sagester; JV Coach: Jeff Judy; Varsity Assistants Mick Sagester.
Returning Players: All CCC, 6’0” Sr., Tyler Greer (12.4 PPG); 5’7” So., Drew Moore (7.2 PPG); 5’10” Sr., Heath West; Key Contributors: 6’2” Sr., Brett Fourman; 6’0” Sr., Troy Pearson; 6’5” Sr., Dave Richards; 6’5” Jr., Matt Miller; 5’11” Jr., Craig Dill; 6’3” Jr., Cody Gunckel

The Patriots return a strong back court duo with the Senior Tyler Green, who can beat you many ways with his offense and defense and the shooting ability of Sophomore Drew Moore. The Pats play their 5th year under the helm of Josh Sagester and they will hang their hat on team defense. Senior Heath West returns with significant varsity experience, but the rest of the players include a move in, a senior playing his first year and players from a very successful JV team. The inexperience players bring size and athleticism and the Pats will be much faster than last year. Combine that with the senior leadership of Greer and West, the Pats have the components to be a contender.

8. Tri-County North
Head Coach: David Woodworth

The North Panthers return the bulk of a team that scored over 58 points per game last year. The issue with the Panthers was the second worst defense in the league in giving up 64.6 points per game. Look for North’s D to improve with experience and for them to increase their 3-9 conference and 5-15 overall record from a year ago.

9. Mississinawa Valley
Head Coach: Jeff Vaughn;
Returning Players: Honorable Mention, 5’6” So., Gary Peace (8 PPG); 6’0” Sr., Darick Hiatt (5.4 PPG); 6’0” Sr., Will Cook; 6’4” Jr., Derek Cook; 6’2” Sr., Colton Cox; 6’0” Jr., Trent Heitkamp; Key Contributors from JV: 6’0” So., Alex Murphy; 5’7” So., Larry LeMaster; 6’3” Jr., Kent Moneysmith

For the second year in a row the ‘hawks lost 75% of their offensive firepower to graduation. Coach Jeff Vaughn states that he has a bunch of players that are hard workers and eager to improve. Sophomore Gary Peace will run the show as sophomore at point guard. Vaughn feels that this team is better defensively than last year, which is a good thing since they gave up 62.7 PPG last season. For the offense to be successful they need to make good decisions with the basketball and communicate on the floor. “Our goal is to get better each game and grow into a team by the end of the year that people do not want to play”.

10. Ansonia Tigers
Head Coach: Chad Cramer; JV Coach, Craig Riethman
Returning Players: 6’8” Sr., Adam Kremer (7.3 PPG); 5’8” Jr., Kyle Young (5.7 PPG); 5’11” So., Brandon Liette; Key Contributors: 5’10” Jr., Dylan Bubeck; 5’9” Sr., Cody Rowland; 6’0” Jr., Reese Walters; 5’10” Derek Bubeck;

Gone is 50% of the offense with the graduation of Eric Beisner and Niles Brown. Senior Adam Kremer has gained another 2 inches from last year and comes in as the big man in the conference at 6’8”. Other than Kremer the Tigers have only 3 other kids over 6 feet. Keys for the Tigers will be communication on both ends of the floor. To overcome their lack of height, Cramer notes that defense and rebounding will be key.

11. National Trail
Head Coach: Jeremy Everman;
Returning Players: 5’9” Sr., Dalton Abner; Key Contributors from JV: 5’9” Jr., Matt Gibbins; 5’9” Jr., Jon Day; 5’ 11 Jr., Kaleb Rexrode; 5’10” Jr., Cody Vance; 6’3” Jr., Josh Arahood; 6’4” Jr., Tanner Rhodes and 6’2” So., Taylor Neal.

The Blazers return one starter from last year in Sr., Dalton Abner (6.3 PPG). ’94 NT Grad, Jeremy Everman starts his Varsity coaching career with a young team with little varsity experience, but he has been encouraged by the effort and hustle. "I'm looking forward to a successful season," Everman said. "This group of kids and their determination will get the program headed in the right direction.

12. Newton
Head Coach: Neal Hans; JV Coach: Ken Ford; Varsity Assistant: Matt Rutledge
Returning Players: 6’3” Sr., Justin Hutton; Key Contributor from JV: Everybody

Veteran CCC coach Neal Hans is another program with only one player returning from last year in 6’3” Sr., Justin Hutton. The Indians are in a numbers crunch and only have 17 players between Varsity and Reserve. The program has Hutton as the only senior and only 3 freshmen. Ryan Payne who saw some varsity time last year as a sophomore will be out the first of the season this year. The injury bug hit Newton hard last year and Hans notes that they must stay healthy to be able to compete each night. Hans told his team “that the quickest way for an inexperience team to become competitive is to play defense.”

13. Bradford
Head Coach: Jerrel Morgan
Returning Players: Honorable Mention, 6’0” Jr., ., Danial Phillips; 5’10” Jr., Cody Shafer; 5’9” Jr., Douglas Canan; 5’9” Jr., Logan Looker; 6’0” Jr., Phillip Jones; 6’0” Jr., Tray Sanderson; 6’2” So., Josh Williams; 5’9” Jr., Chris Vogler; Seniors, Chris Vogler, Matt Hammaker and Josh Williams

The Railroaders have a bunch of experience coming back from last year but only have a handful of people over 6 foot tall. Jarrel Morgan returns to coach the ‘Roaders for a second term. Morgan coached the Roaders 3 years from 1999 to 2001. Morgan looks for this year’s team to be more competitive after they big improvements from last year. Morgan looks to use the experience from 6 juniors and 3 seniors and to maximize their quickness and outside shooting abilities. The team will have to improve on rebounding and defense (allowed almost 69 PPG) to be competitive in 2009.