COLUMBUS GROVE — Most first-year head basketball coaches want to come in and implement their system.
They realize it usually takes some time before the players buy in to their philosophy.
However, for Ryan Stechschulte, his players bought in right away in his first season at the helm as the Columbus Grove boys coach in 2011-12. His squad recorded a 19-5 overall record and a 6-1 Putnam County League mark (co-champions with Leipsic) and finished as district runners-up in Division IV.
With four returning letterwinners, Columbus Grove will try to continue the success it enjoyed last season.
“We return four guys; seven seniors, but have no starters back,” Stechschulte said. “We have a couple guys battling injuries. Derek Riemen missed pretty much all of the football season. He’s not 100 percent yet, but he’ll get there.”
Rieman, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, averaged eight points and seven rebounds per game in 2011-12. Along with Rieman, Will Vorhees (6-6, Jr., Post) will provide some strength down low. Last season as a sophomore, Vorhees was called upon to give some quality minutes. He responded by scoring seven points per game.
“Will Vorhees played some as a sophomore,” Stechschulte said. “He played in a complementary role last season. So, opposing teams will be watching for him a lot more this year.”
At the guards, Collin Grothaus (5-9, Sr.) and Jace Darbyshire (5-8, Soph.) will be running the show. Grothaus averaged five points per game last season and also provided a spark at the defensive end for the Bulldogs.
“Both Jace and Collin will play out front,” Stechschulte said. “When Jace and Collin are both on the floor, we’ll try to use Jace more at the point.”
Brady Shafer (6-3, Sr., F) is the other letterwinner back for the Bulldogs.
The Columbus Grove coaching staff will be working hard in an attempt to build more depth.
“Until we get healthy, that’s going to be an issue. Hopefully by January we will be healthy,” he said.
Other players Stechschulte will be calling upon to contribute quality minutes this season include Blake Hoffman (5-11, Sr., G); Clay Diller (6-0, Sr., F); Dakota Vogt (6-1, Jr., F); Josh Tussing (5-11, Sr., F) and Riley Brubaker (6-1, Jr., G).
Stechschulte will not point to one particular player to be the top scorer for this year’s squad. He has confidence in all of his players.
“I think that in order to be successful, you have to be balanced. So, we look for all five guys on the floor to contribute. We will try to get the ball inside to Will and Derek, though,” he said.
As far as the PCL is concerned, Stechschulte feels like the league will be very competitive, as usual.
“I think a lot of teams lost some good players from last year. The PCL has some very good coaches and their teams are well prepared. I don’t think there will be any easy games,” he added.
Columbus Grove
COACH: Ryan Stechschulte
YEAR’S, RECORD AT SCHOOL: Second, 19-5
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 19-5, 6-1 PCL (co-champions); 7-2 Northwest Conference; district runner-up
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): F Derek Rieman (6-3, Sr.); G Collin Grothaus (5-9, Sr.); F Brady Shafer (6-3, Sr.); F Will Vorhees (6-6, Jr.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: G Blake Hoffman (5-11, Sr.); F Clay Diller (6-0, Sr.); F Dakota Vogt (6-1, Sr.); F Josh Tussing (5-11, Sr.); G Riley Brubaker (6-1, Jr.); G Jace Darbyshire (5-8, Soph.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs are hoping to build some depth and become very competitive as the season progresses.
Continental
COACH: Kevin Homier
YEAR’S, RECORD AT SCHOOL: 11th, 172-79
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-13, 3-4 PCL
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): C Chaz Slattman* (6-5, Sr.); G Tyler Dockery* (5-9, Sr.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: G Justin Halliwill (6-0, Sr.); F Tyler Rue (5-11, Jr.); G Zach Schwarzman (5-10, Soph.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: With only two starters returning, the Pirates will look to improve as the season progresses.
Fort Jennings
COACH: John Von Sossan
YEAR’S, RECORD AT SCHOOL: 26th, 303-283
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-12, 3-4 PCL
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): F Kurt Warnecke* (6-3, Sr.); F Chad Recker* (6-1, Sr.); C Brandon Kohli (6-4, Sr.); G Nick Von Sossan (6-0, Soph.); F Connor Wallenhorst (6-1, Soph.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: G Dylan Eldridge (5-7, Sr.); Drew Stechschulte (6-3, Sr.); F Josh Wittler (6-1, Jr.); F Nathan German (5-10, Jr.); C Logan Sickels (6-3, Jr.); F Austin Kehres (6-1, Soph.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: The Musketeers look to have plenty of depth this season. Look for them to be competitive in the PCL.
Kalida
COACH: Richard Kortokrax
YEARS, RECORD AT SCHOOL: 38th, 615-229
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-5, 5-2 PCL, district runner-up
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): C Austin Horstman* (6-4, Sr.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: F Cody Mathew (5-11, Sr.); G Adam Langhals (5-8, Jr.); G/F Luke Langhals (6-0, Soph.); F/C Brent Hovest (6-0, Soph.); G/F Devin Kortokrax (5-11, Soph.); F Randy Zeller (6-2, Jr.); C Andrew Krouse (6-0, Jr.); F Logan Roebke (5-11 ½, Soph.); C Cole Miller (6-2 ½ , Soph.); C Joe Gerdeman (6-2, Jr.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: With only one returning letterwinner, the Wildcats’ coaching staff will be counting on the underclassmen to step up this season.
Leipsic
COACH: Scott Maag
YEARS, RECORD AT SCHOOL: Fifth, 60-51
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-5, 6-1 PCL (co-champions)
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): Aric Schroeder (5-10, Sr.); Devin Mangas* (6-1, Sr.); Caleb Barrera (6-2, Sr.); Derek Steffan (6-3, Sr.); Collin Schroeder (6-4, Sr.); Austin Brown* (6-3, Sr.); Josh Gerten (5-8, Sr.); Derrick Bennett (5-8, Sr.); Leo Gerdeman (6-1, Sr.); Mitch Kuhlman* (6-3, Sr.); Zach Kuhlman* (6-1, Jr.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Dylan Schey (6-1, Jr.); Neil Haselman (6-0, Jr.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: With a solid core of returners back from last year’s 16-5 team, the Vikings look to contend in both leagues and in the postseason.
Miller City
COACH: Bryan Kuhlman
YEARS, RECORD AT SCHOOL: Second, 13-9
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-9, 4-3 PCL
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starter): Ross Kaufman* (6-0, Sr.); Russell Niese* (6-1, Sr.); Austin Lammers (6-5, Sr.); Cory Heuerman* (6-0, Jr.); Adam Niese (6-0, Soph.); Adam Drummelsmith (6-1, Soph.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Ross Vennekotter (6-4, Sr.); Leon Alexander (6-2, Sr.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: With three starters back from last season, look for the Wildcats to be competitive. Coach Kuhlman points to his guards as a strength of his team.
Ottoville
COACH: Todd Turnwald
YEARS, RECORD AT SCHOOL: Second, 3-18
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-18, 0-7 PCL
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): Derek Schimmoeller* (5-9, Sr.); Luke Schimmoeller* (6-2, Jr.); Ryan Honigford* (5-11, Sr.); Brandt Landin (6-2, Soph.); Cory Honigford
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Cory Fisher (6-2, Sr.); Austin Honigford (6-0, Soph.); Tyler Roby (6-1, Soph.); Matt Turnwald
TEAM OUTLOOK: With three returning starters, Ottoville looks to improve on last season’s performance.
Pandora-Gilboa
COACH: Josh Klear
YEARS, RECORD AT SCHOOL: Third, N/A
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-16, 1-6 PCL
DIVISION: IV
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (* indicates returning starters): G Abe Basinger* (6-0, Sr.); G Seth Schmenk* (6-2, Jr.)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: G Dustin Rieman (6-0, Jr.); G Brian Schneck (6-0, Jr.); G Tyler Maag (6-0, Jr.); G Jarod Triplehorn (5-10, Sr.)
TEAM OUTLOOK: With only three seniors returning, the Rockets will be trying to improve on last season’s 5-16 record.
