Welcome to Richland Source’s 2024-25 high school basketball preview. This season, we’re diving deep into all the local varsity basketball action. Over the coming days, we’ll highlight both boys’ and girls’ teams in these previews for every squad in our coverage area.

Scroll down to find comprehensive schedules, along with key details to keep you informed. Whether you’re a passionate fan or just looking to stay in the loop, we’ve got you covered. Let the countdown to tip-off begin!

McDonald’s is proud to back our area’s local athletes and help Richland Source provide fans in-depth coverage of the upcoming high school basketball season.

Clear Fork Colts
Varsity Boys Basketball

Division: IV
Conference: Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference
Coach: Brandon Baumgardner
Last year: 10-13

Schedule 📅

Nov. 29 — at Lexington
Dec. 4 — at Fredericktown
Dec. 6 — Galion
Dec. 10 — Marion Pleasant
Dec. 12 – at Ontario
Dec. 20 — at Marion Harding
Dec. 23 — at Madison
Dec. 27 — Shelby
Dec. 30 — at Loudonville
Jan. 2 — at Highland
Jan. 4 — Edison
Jan. 10 — River Valley
Jan. 14 — Willard
Jan. 16 — at Galion
Jan. 18 — Ontario
Jan. 21 — at Marion Pleasant
Jan. 30 — Marion Harding
Feb. 1 — at Shelby
Feb. 4 — Ashland
Feb. 7 — Highland
Feb. 11 — Lucas
Feb. 14 — at River Valley

PLAYER TO WATCH 👀

basketball player drives t basket
Credit: Carl Hunnell
Garrett Hotz

The rugged 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior forward averaged 17.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. Hotz was a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference first-teamer.

KEY STAT 📊

5

Years since Clear Fork’s first and only Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship. The Colts won the MOAC title in 2018-19 with a 12-2 conference mark and are a combined 14-52 in the MOAC since then.

OUTLOOK 🔮

Brandon Baumgardner takes over for Tim Brafford, who was 16-30 in two seasons. Garrett Hotz is one of the top returning scorers and rebounders in the MOAC.

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Clear Fork Colts
Varsity Girls Basketball

Division: V
Conference: Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference
Coach: Scott Sellers
Last year: 17-8

Schedule 📅

Nov. 22 — at Madison
Nov. 26 — at Lexington
Dec. 3 — Ontario
Dec. 5 — at Galion
Dec. 9 — at Shelby
Dec. 11 — Bellevue
Dec. 13 — at Pleasant
Dec. 17 — Mansfield Senior
Dec. 19 — Marion Harding
Dec. 28 — Highland
Dec. 30 — at Loudonville
Jan. 3 — at River Valley
Jan. 6 — Fredericktown
Jan. 9 — Galion
Jan. 11 — at Ontario
Jan. 13 — West Holmes
Jan. 17 — Pleasant
Jan. 23 — at Marion Harding
Jan. 25 — Shelby
Jan. 31 — at Highland
Feb. 6 — River Valley
Feb. 8 — at Cardington

PLAYER TO WATCH 👀

Two basketball players jockey for position underneath the basket
Credit: Curt Conrad, staff reporter
Mel Blubaugh

A 5-foot-8 senior forward, Blubaugh averaged 9 points and 4 rebounds a game last year. The Division III All-Ohio special-mention selection verbally committed to Mount Vernon Nazarene.

KEY STAT 📊

56

Combined wins for Clear Fork the past three seasons. The Colts won 22 games in 2021-22 and were 17-8 each of the past two years.

OUTLOOK 🔮

With eight returning letterwinners and three returning starters, expectations are soaring in the Clear Fork Valley.

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