ONTARIO — Last year’s inaugural NOL-OCC Challenge featured a backyard rivalry that ended in an improbable buzzer beater when Lexington’s Jonah Yaussy drilled an improbable trey from well beyond the top of the key.
That shot led to a 57-54 victory over Ontario and capped a memorable weekend of basketball pitting four schools, Madison, Lexington, Ontario and Norwalk.
The games garnered enough attention to merit the interest of nearly everyone else in both conferences. So, this year we expanded the event to include 12 teams, six from each league.
The leagues will square off in a series of games on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Ontario High School. The day begins with Tiffin Columbian playing Clear Fork at 11 a.m., followed by Bellevue meeting Madison at 1 p.m. and Norwalk challenging Mount Vernon at 3 p.m. Shelby faces Ashland at 5 p.m. with Ontario set for a rematch against Lexington at 7 p.m. and Sandusky tangling with Mansfield Senior at 9 p.m.
For more information about tickets contact any of the participating schools or Ontario athletics director Chris Miller.
The girls event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Shelby High School with the same teams participating but in different matchups. A story on that showcase was published Monday at RichlandSource.com.
Here’s a closer look at each boys team in the event:
Ohio Cardinal Conference
Mansfield Senior Tygers
Coach: J.T. Reese
Last Year: 13-9, 10-4
Key Returnees: B.J. Patrick.
Comment: The Tygers wield the premier boys basketball program in north central Ohio. However, this year might bring the most mysterious team yet with B.J. Patrick as the team’s lone veteran returnee among a cast of inexperienced youngsters.
Madison Rams
Coach: Tim Mergel
Last Year: 15-10,
Key Returnees: Tyrell Ajian (16.7 ppg), Kyle Jackson, Jacob Koehler (6.6 rpg), Nick Smith, Cal Rickert, Colton Butler.
Comment: The Rams are coming off a sectional championship season and will be led by four-year starting guard Tyrell Ajian, a multi-sport star headed to Kentucky on a football scholarship. Jacob Keohler needs to continue to be a factor on the glass after averaging 6.6 rebounds a year ago.
Lexington Minutemen
Coach: Scott Hamilton
Last Year: 24-3, 12-2
Key Returnees: Cade Stover (13.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg), A.J. Nickoli (2.4 spg), Dana Shoulders, Traevin Harrison.
Comment: The Minutemen reached the Sweet 16 last season and have an outstanding building block in the 6-foot-4 Cade Stover, a powerful presence on the block despite just being a sophomore. Stover, A.J. Nickoli and Dana Shoulders were all contributors on a Sweet 16 football team.
Clear Fork Colts
Coach: Steven Bechtel
Last Year: 4-19, 1-12.
Key Returnees: Chase Endicott, A.J. Blubaugh, Justice Reman, Christian Beer, Chance Barnett.
Comment: Steve Bechtel’s squad is in a rebuilding mode. Battling with the smallest enrollment in a stacked Ohio Cardinal Conference makes the task that much tougher. A year ago a number of youngsters earned valuable varsity time that Bechtel hopes will lead to a better record this winter.
Ashland Arrows
Coach: Jason Hess
Last Year: 11-12, 8-5.
Key Returnees: Grant Denbow, Kamrin Knowlton-Goings
Comment: Jason Hess is a former Arrow star who understands the community’s culture and relationship with the sport from the ground level. Grant Denbow and Kamrin Knowlton-Goings are two outstanding athletes who helped lead the playoff-bound football program.
Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets
Coach: Nick Coon
Last Year: 6-17.
Key Returnees: Dustin Hess, Craig Capwell.
Comment: This is Nick Coon’s second season at The Hive and he’s looking to add to a program with an impressive legacy. Dustin Hess was the team’s most improved player a year ago and will lead the way this season. Coon said Craig Capwell has shown in preseason he will be a significant contributor this year.
Northern Ohio League
Ontario Warriors
Coach: Joe Balogh
Last Year: 20-4, 11-1.
Key Returnees: Trey Jordan, Quan Jackson, Logan Jones, Jackson Todd.
Comment: Legendary coach Joe Balogh lost his top two offensive players, and will need guard Trey Jordan to take on the scoring mantle. Jordan is the top returning point producer at 9.6 points and 5.4 assists. Quan Jackson, at 6.6 points, is back as the team’s second-highest scorer.
Shelby Whippets
Coach: Troy Schwemley
Last Year: 12-10, 7-5.
Key Returnees: Davey Hipp, Brock Kehres.
Comment: The Whippets may be an entirely different team by the time the tournament rolls around. Shelby is coming off a wildly successful football run to the Sweet 16. But on the hardwood, veteran Davey Hipp, at 13.7 points, and Brock Kehres, 8.7 points, figures to show the way.
Norwalk Truckers
Coach Steve Gray
Last Year: 10-13, 6-6.
Key Returnees: George Friend, Brandon Haraway.
Comment: Steve Gray is the only coach in this field with a state championship under his belt. George Friend, who scored 11.1 points and grabbed 5.4 rebounds per game to lead last year’s team, should again spearhead the attack. Brandon Haraway, 8.0 points per game, has veteran experience, too.
Sandusky Blue Streaks
Coach: Colin Irish
Last Year: 19-4, 11-1.
Key Returnees: Jayrese Williams, Cavon Croom.
Comment: The Blue Streaks won a Northern Ohio League co-championship, a sectional title and a district runner-up trophy last season. Coach Colin Irish has the team to beat in this year’s NOL race, with Jayrese Williams as the top returning scorer in the league at 20.3 points. Cavon Croom at 8.1 points, figures to be a strong threat, too.
Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes
Coach: Travis Kinn
Last Year: 8-14, 3-9.
Key Returnees: Ro’Naugi Durham, Todd Simonds.
Comment: The Tornadoes are trying to find their footing under Kinn, but look to improve on last year’s record and make a move up in the Northern Ohio League standings. To do expect Ro’Naugi Durham to goose his 13.1 scoring average from a year ago. Guard Todd Simonds averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 assists last season.
Bellevue Redmen
Coach: Ed Rich
Last Year: 8-15, 2-10.
Key Returnees: Owen Hartley, Troy Ruhlman.
Comment: Last year’s record was an outlier for one of the top programs in the long history of the Northern Ohio League. Coach Ed Rich expects his squad to improve on two wins in last season’s conference campaign. Owen Hartley is back after scoring 11.3 points last winter, while Troy Ruhlman averaged 10.4 points.
Events such as the The Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge do not happen without tremendous partners. The NOL-OCC Challenge is presented by Mechanics Bank Be the Change scholarship program in partnership with The Holden Agency and Marco Photo Service. Supporting sponsors include Olive Garden, North Central State College, Rinehart Walters Danner Insurance, Prospering Life Events, Best Buy, TextLoyal, The Vault Wine Bar and Lantz Star Graphics.
