MANSFIELD — We had so much fun, and the sponsors, the schools and most importantly the athletes enjoyed it so much, we decided to do it again.
The it in this case is the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge. Last year four schools participated, Madison, Ontario, Lexington and Madison. This year the field has expanded to a whopping 12 schools, and the event will encompass two days at two different high schools.
The girls will get things started on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Shelby High School with a full day of hoops.
Sandusky tips off against Madison at 11 a.m., followed by Tiffin Columbian playing Lexington at 1 p.m. and Ontario challenging Clear Fork at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m. Bellevue faces Ashland, with Shelby taking on Mount Vernon at 7 p.m. and Norwalk playing Mansfield Senior at 9 p.m.
Mount Vernon standout Taylor Gregory and Norwalk star Jiselle Thomas, two of the top players in Ohio, are worth the price of admission alone.
For more information about tickets contact any of the participating schools or Shelby athletics director Pat Lewis.
The boys event takes place the following week, Dec. 17 at Ontario. See a more detailed story of the boys’ challenge on Tuesday at RichlandSource.com.
Below is a closer look at each girls team participating:
Ohio Cardinal Conference
Mansfield Senior Tygers
Coach: Todd Krill
Last Year: 13-11, 8-6.
Returnees: Erica Johnson, Talayzha Catchings.
Comment: Todd Krill’s teams are routinely competitive in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, and this year’s squad figures to lean heavily on Erica Johnson and Talayzha Catchings to make a run at conference contention.
Madison Rams
Coach: Brian Davis
Last Year: 2-21, 2-12
Returnees: Brooklyn Arnold, Mackenzie Mullins.
Comment: Last season was a tough one at Madison, but coach Brian Davis is hoping to utilize the talents of Brooklyn Arnold and Mackenzie Mullins to rejuvenate his squad.
Lexington Lady Lex
Coach: Nate Lautzenheiser
Last Year: 2-21, 2-12
Returnees: Charlotte Kuhn, Olivia Kearns, Courtney Gouge, Julia Kocher
Comment: Lexington has a big rebound season in mind this year with the returning talents of Charlotte Kuhn, Olivia Kearns, Courtney Gouge, and Julia Kocher.
Ashland Arrows
Coach: Jason Snow
Last Year: 11-13, 8-6.
Returnees Kyle Radebaugh, Katie Kennedy, Alyssa Steury.
Comment: The Arrows enjoyed a solid season in the Ohio Cardinal Conference race last winter, and should do some damage again this season with a strong nucleus back in the form of Kyle Radebaugh, Katie Kennedy, and Alyssa Steury.
Clear Fork Colts
Coach: Chuck Schmitt
Last Year: 5-8, 3-11.
Returnees: Darian Gottfried.
Comment: Clear Fork faces a tough assignment as the smallest program in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. Still, coach Chuck Schmitt hopes to tailor his team around the skills of veteran Darian Gottfried.
Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets
Coach: Doug Savage
Last Year: 17-6
Returnees: Taylor Gregory, Payton McCord.
Comment: The 6-foot-2 Taylor Gregory led Mount Vernon in scoring, rebounds, steals and assists. She’s headed to the University of Akron and will be one of the best overall players in this event. Payton McCord averaged 10 points per game last season, too. The Yellow Jackets expect to make a big impression this winter.
Northern Ohio League
Ontario Warriors
Coach: Sarah Krichbaum
Last Year: 16-9, 6-6.
Returnees: Amanda Nething, Nashail Shelby, Emily Yeager, Rachel Miller.
Comment: The Warriors turned in a strong overall record last season, including a sectional championship. This year coach Sarah Krichbaum has her leading scorer, Emily Yeager (16.6 points) and rebounder Amanda Nething (6.5 avg.) as building blocks.
Shelby Whippets
Coach: Natalie Lantz
Last Year: 19-7, 8-4.
Returnees: Kennadie Goth, Jackie Garrett, Sienna King, Maddi Fidler.
Comment: Coach Natalie (Britt) Lantz led the Whippets to the state championship game as a junior point guard in the 1990s under coach Ellen Lawrence. In Kennadie Goth (13.4) and Maddi Fidler (9.7), Lantz has two top scoring threats back.
Norwalk Truckers
Coach: Brock Manlet
Last Year: 17-6, 8-4.
Returnees: Jiselle Thomas, Jasmine Thomas, Jada Thomas, Adrianna Rodriguez
Comment: Jiselle Thomas put on quite a show last year, averaging 29.0 points per game, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.0 steals per game. Adrianna Rodriquez chipped in 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Jasmine Thomas made her mark inside, too, with 5.9 rebounds per game.
Sandusky Blue Streaks
Coach: Richard Koonce
Last Year: 6-15, 1-11.
Returnees: Erin Sherman, Naciere Webb.
Comment: The Blue Streaks lost their top two scoring threats from last season’s team. However, Erin Sherman was among the NOL leaders in assists a year ago and Naciere Webb figures to improve on 4.6 rebounds per game in 2015-16.
Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes
Coach: Erin Reed
Last Year: 4-19, 1-11.
Returnees: Maddie Brisendine, Samantha Fry.
Comment: Maddie Brisendine finished second a year ago in the NOL scoring race, at 16.7 points per game and was fourth in rebounds at 8.0 boards and 2.0 steals per contest.
Bellevue Lady Redmen
Coach: Kory Santoro
Last Year: 20-6, 9-3.
Returnees: Lauren Turner, Jenna Strayer.
Comment: Bellevue put together a formidable team a year ago and Jenna Strayer was the focal point with 14.7 points and 2.4 assists, while Lauren Turner averaged 8.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest on that squad.
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.
