Shawnee’s George Mangas goes up for a shot against Lima Central Catholic’s Joey Rinehart, left, and Christian Guagenti during Saturday’s Mercy Health Tip Off championship game at the Elida Fieldhouse. Mangas was named the state Division II, The Lima News, Western Buckeye League and District 8 player of the year as a junior. Mangas was also named first team All-WBL as a sophomore.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
Ottawa-Glandorf’s Owen Nichols was named second team All-Western Buckeye League as a junior.
Don Speck | The Lima News
Shawnee’s Tyson Elwer puts up a shot against shoots against Lima Central Catholic’s Christian Guagenti during Saturday’s Mercy Health Tip Off championship game at the Elida Fieldhouse. Elwer was named second team All-Western Buckeye League as a junior and sophomore.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
Information provided by coaches and obtained from OHSAA and league websites.
Bath
Division: III
Coach: Adam Burris
2019-20 overall record: 2-21
2019-20 league record: 0-9 (10th)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 60-49 to Allen East in sectional semifinals
Varsity roster includes: Mitch Barr (Soph.), Britton Hall (Soph.), Bradyn Fleharty (Fr.), Blaine Albright (Soph.), Griffen Mikesell (Jr.), Jonah Wauben (Jr.), Carter Parlapiano (Jr.), Andrew Stahr (Jr.), Ian Armentrout (Jr.)
Celina
Division: II
Coach: Adam Johns
2019-20 overall record: 3-21
2019-20 league record: 2-7 (tied for eighth)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 64-24 to Shawnee in sectional finals
Varsity roster includes: Nick Adams (Soph.), Jack Duncan (Sr.), Reeves Black (Sr.), Connor Allstaetter (Jr.), Quade Gilmore (Sr.), Connor Nuding (Sr.), Dylan Feister (Jr.), Aidan Song (Jr.), Quinn Andrew (Jr.), Isaac Rasawehr (Jr.), Josh Rasawehr (Soph.).
Elida
Division: II
Coach: Denny Thompson (15th season)
2019-20 overall record: 8-16
2019-20 league record: 2-7 (tied for eighth)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 62-40 to Wauseon in sectional finals
Returning 2019-20 varsity letter winners: Tyler Long (Sr.), Jierre Dansby (Sr.).
Others on varsity roster include: Cole Place (Jr.), Austin Miller (Jr.), Gunnar Kuhn (Jr.), Camden Howard (Soph.), Jayden Irons (Jr.), Tyler Carter (Soph.), Aidan Bartels (Sr.), Brendan Crow (Jr.), Preston Layman (Sr.), Larkin Henderson (Soph.), Francis Katuramu (Jr.), Tori Thomas (Soph.), Brice Engle (Soph.).
Coach’s analysis: The Bulldogs face a tremendous lack of varsity experience. Tyler Long brings the most experience and will be asked for his leadership. This season will bring a new meaning to the phrase “a work in progress.” The coaching staff is encouraged with the eagerness to learn and are hopeful the learning curve is sharp. Aidan Bartells, Jayden Irons, Cole Place, Jierre Dansby, Austin Miller, Preston Layman and Brendan Crow will need to adapt to the speed of the varsity game. Getting Gunnar Kuhn back from injury will be a big help at the point guard position.
Kenton
Division: II
Coach: Matt McCullough
2019-20 overall record: 12-11
2019-20 league record: 6-3 (fourth)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 47-42 to Elida in sectional semifinals
Varsity roster includes: Jayden Cornell (Sr.), Landen West (Sr.), Zac Swaney (Sr.), Jacob Eversole (Sr.), Camron Pulfer (Sr.), Caden Bolling (Sr.), Brent Rader (Jr.), Colby Quay (Soph.), Jarrett Jolliff (Jr.), KP Miller (Sr.), Kooper Johnston (Soph.), Tyson Lawrence (Soph.), Gunnar Stout (Jr.)
Ottawa-Glandorf
Division: III
Coach: Tyson McGlaughlin (12th year).
2019-20 overall record: 25-1
2019-20 league record: 8-1 (second)
2020 postseason finish: Had reached regional finals when season was halted due to COVID-19 pandemic
Returning 2019 varsity letter winners: Owen Nichols (Sr.), Brennen Blevins (Sr.), Will Kaufman (Sr.), Caleb Kuhlman (Jr.).
Others on varsity roster include: Landon Jordan (Jr.), Carson Fuka (Jr.), Colin White (Fr.), Jacob Balbaugh (Sr.), Jaxon Buddelmeyer (Sr.), Trevor Schimmoeller (Sr.), Carter Schimmoeller (Jr.), Hunter Stechschulte (Soph.), Eli Schmenk (Jr.), Theo Maag (Soph.).
Coach’s analysis: We have some talented guys that can really stretch the floor. We have a solid nucleus of guys back from last year’s group that are hungry to get back on the floor. We lost some key guys that were not only great players but, more importantly, great leaders. We have some talented players but some are not real battle tested. We need to learn as we go and continue to work hard. I am very excited about the group of guys that we have. I feel confident that we will continue to improve and if we do that, we will put ourselves in positions to be successful. Like always, the WBL will be very strong. Obviously, Shawnee is the favorite, returning nearly their entire team but there are other very talented teams that will make some noise this year.
Shawnee
Division: II
Coach: Mark Triplett (eighth season)
2019-20 overall record: 25-0
2019-20 league record: 9-0 (first)
2020 postseason finish: Had reached regional semifinals when season was halted due to COVID-19 pandemic
Returning 2019 varsity letter winners: Tyson Elwer (Sr.), Jarin Bertke (Sr.), George Mangas (Sr.), Caden Vermillion (Sr.), Ricky Rosado (Sr.), Brady Wheeler (Jr.).
Others on varsity roster include: Will McBride (Soph.), Drake Daily (Sr.), Nathan Numbers (Sr.), Austin Miller (Soph.), Toby Freiberger (Soph.), Justin Altenbach (Jr.), Anthony Best (Jr.), Ja’Mari Johnson (Jr.), Zach Noonan (Soph.)
Coach’s analysis: We bring back four starters and two other letter winners from last season. We lost our floor general and our engine from last year’s team, but we look forward to seeing others step into more of a leadership position this season. We have an incredibly unselfish team who truly loves the game and loves being around one another. We feel we have tremendous depth coming off of our bench, something that could be even more critical in this — sure to be — unpredictable season. If we can show growth on the defensive end of the floor and get our leaders to step up and take ownership on both ends, we think we have a shot to be very good this year.
St. Marys
Division: II
Coach: Dan Hegemier
2019-20 overall record: 18-4
2019-20 league record: 7-2 (third)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 46-39 to Bryan in sectional finals
Varsity roster includes: LeTrey Williams (Sr.), Gino Johnson (Sr.), Kyle Steininger (Jr.), Jadin Davis (Sr.), Jaden Lotz (Soph.), Braeden Hemmelgarn (Jr.), Brandon Bowers (Jr.), Brayden Sullivan (Soph.), Gavin Reineke (Jr.), Jace Turner (Fr.), Rylin Davis (Soph.), Evan Angstmann (Fr.), Ryan Meier (Jr.), Austin Parks (Soph.).
Van Wert
Division: II
Coach: Ben Laudick (second season).
2019-20 overall record: 8-15
2019-20 league record: 4-5 (tied for fifth)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 40-36 to Wapakoneta in sectional semifinals
Returning 2019 varsity letter winners: Owen Treece (Sr.), Nate Jackson (Jr.), Ethan Brown (Jr.).
Promising newcomers: Ty Jackson (Jr.), Trey Laudick (Jr.), Connor Pratt (Jr.), Ethan Rupert (Jr.), Garett Gunter (Soph), Aidan Pratt (Soph.).
Coach’s analysis: The Van Wert Cougars boys basketball team is excited for the upcoming basketball season and will look to ride the momentum of the football team’s success, considering most of the guys played football for the state championship football team. The Cougars will look to four-year starter Owen Treece once again to lead them this season and build off his outstanding junior season. Van Wert may be younger this season (eight seniors graduated last year) but have a good group of athletes that look to compete every day in practice.
Wapakoneta
Division: II
Coach: Trey Elchert
2019-20 overall record: 8-16
2019-20 league record: 3-6 (seventh)
2020 postseason finish: Lost 46-35 to Defiance in sectional finals
Varsity roster includes: Noah Ambos (Sr.), Zach Rogers (Jr.), Kaden Siefring (Jr.), Jordan Schneider (Soph.), Braeden Goulet (Jr.), Mason Longsworth (Sr.), Peyton Debell (Jr.), Grant Bauer (Soph.), Jackson Courter (Soph.), Logan Crow (Soph.), Landon Brandt (Soph.), John Buchanan (Jr.), Garrett Siefring (Sr.)
