Bragging rights and remaining unbeaten will be the two main things on the line in Ottawa tonight when Putnam County rivals Ottoville and Ottawa-Glandorf meet in a game that features two of the best teams in Northwest Ohio.
Ottoville comes into this annual clash like a well-oiled machine. The Big Green are 6-0 and are averaging nearly 70 points a game and giving up a little under 30.
Longtime Ottoville head coach Dave Kleman said his veteran team, which lost just one player from a squad that went 23-3, came into the season on a mission and hungry for more after being ousted in the district finals by Arlington last year.
“We have left off from last year,” Kleman said. “We lost one person from last year’s team and we have lots of experience and we expected to be good this year. This team goes out each night, works hard and tries to do its best. They are a selfless team that works really well together.”
Led by seniors Brook Mangas, Alicia Honiford, Alexis Thorbahn and Madison Knodell, Kleman admits that this team pretty much runs itself when out on the court.
“In the past it was like playing a video game,” Kleman said. “I would call every play and push the buttons to get them to do what they needed to do. But this year I will tell them something at the beginning of the game and who to watch for but they call their plays and out of bound plays and etc. I give them the freedom to run the floor.”
One reason Kleman has the confidence to do so is not only because of the seniors but because of the other players who understand their roles and how to play. He does say there are still some small things to work on but he believes his players are smart and talented enough to know what to do to win games.
Even though Ottawa-Glandorf comes in with an identical 6-0 mark, the Titans staying unbeaten has been a little more of a chore.
Despite some early blowouts, Ottawa-Glandorf had its hands’ full against Western Buckeye League foes St. Marys and on Dec. 15 against Bath. The Titans, who trailed throughout most of the game, rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Wildkittens 49-45.
Titan head coach Troy Yant said many people believe that because they lost just one starter, Dani Ebeskotte, that Ottawa-Glandorf was going to be just as formidable as last year’s state semifinalist squad. But Yant added that Ebeskotte left a big void that they are still trying to fill.
“Obviously we have gotten great play from Kadie Hempfling and Kylie White, but we are still searching for a fifth starter and girls are still finding their roles on the team,” Yant said.
Yant added that Hempfling and White have not only been a force on the court but off the court as well with their leadership and he said the team continues to develop.
“Our players understand it is a process and we are working hard and are getting there,” Yant said. “We need players to step up into their roles and take ownership of it.”
Yant said he comes into the Ottoville game with the expectations of evaluating his team against such a strong opponent and also understands the rivalry aspect of the game. Both coaches said these girls have known each other since elementary school and the desire to garner the victory will be running high.
“They are very athletic and can go 10 deep,” Yant said. “We need to see if we can maintain our composure with their speed and if it pays off. Ottoville is a big challenge for us and we need to play at a higher level.
Kleman added that he also has plenty of respect for the Ottawa-Glandorf program and the fact these girls are familiar with each other and their talent adds to the rivalry.
“They are very talented and very nice girls,” Kleman said. “But our girls are not dumb. They are smart. They know Ottawa is a team with a lot of talent and they will have to be ready.”
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