inter TRI-county league preview

TIER ONE

CRESTVIEW

Coach: Herman Miller (3rd season, 100-91 overall).

2010-11 record: 15-6, 10-4 ITCL.

Projected starters: Adam Coppock (5-10 senior), Tom Oliver (6-2 senior), C.J. Collins (6-4 senior), Austin Eskra (6-2 junior), Collin Gilbert (5-11 sophomore).

Other contributors: Matt May (5-10 senior), Brandon Brooks (6-1 senior), Derek Bable (6-4 junior), Zach Thompson (6-4 junior), Nate Climo (6-2 sophomore), Dillon Gorby (5-9 senior), Robert Logan (6-2 sophomore).

Outlook: Led by Collins, Coppock and Oliver, the Rebels have their sights set on a league title. Those three combined to average almost 30 points per game. May and Bable are reliable off the bench.

Schedule: Dec. 6 — at Beaver Local; Dec. 9 — Columbiana; Dec. 13 — at East Palestine; Dec. 16 — United; Dec. 20 — at Springfield; Dec. 23 — Leetonia; Dec. 29 — at Heartland Christian; Jan. 3 — Western Reserve; Jan. 6 — at South Range; Jan. 10 — at Lisbon; Jan. 13 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 17 — at Lowellville; Jan. 20 — at Columbiana; Jan. 24 — East Palestine; Jan. 27 — at United; Jan. 31 — Springfield; Feb. 3 — South Range; Feb. 7 — Lisbon; Feb. 10 — at Mineral Ridge; Feb. 21 — Heartland Christian.

EAST PALESTINE

Coach: Tom Bingham (15th season, 205-123).

2010-11 record: 16-5, 12-2 ITCL.

Projected starters: Jake Dicello (5-11 senior), Cody Stewart (6-3 senior), Tyler Foster (5-10 senior), Zack Brockman (6-3 senior), Austen Reiser (6-3 junior).

Other contributors: Travis Cope (6-2 senior), Josh Artrup (5-5 senior), Nate Keylor (5-10 junior), Noah Beal (6-0 junior).

Outlook: Three-time defending league champions will be in contention again. Dicello is the lone returning starter, though, so how quickly the Bulldogs’ starters mesh will be a key to the season.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Youngstown Christian; Dec. 9 — at United; Dec. 13 — Crestview; Dec. 16 — at Columbiana; Dec. 20 — Mooney; Dec. 27 — at Lisbon; Jan. 6 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 10 — South Range; Jan. 13 — Springfield; Jan. 17 — Leetonia; Jan. 20 — United; Jan. 24 — at Crestview; Jan. 27 — Columbiana; Jan. 31 — Lisbon; Feb. 3 — at Mineral Ridge; Feb. 7 — at South Range; Feb. 10 — at Springfield; Feb. 14 — Lowellville; Feb. 18 — at Heartland Christian; Feb. 21 — Brookfield.

LISBON

Coach: Chris Huckshold (3rd season, 14-30).

2010-11 record: 5-17, 4-10 ITCL.

Returning varsity players: Zac Rovnak (5-11 senior), Drew Sweeney (5-10 senior), Ben Spencer (5-11 senior), Jacob Borg (5-11 senior), Zac Barnes (5-8 senior), C.J. Dawson (6-2 senior).

Incoming players: Matt Spencer (6-3 sophomore), Corey Brammer (6-0 junior), Rashud Newell (6-0 junior), Eric Walker (6-0 sophomore).

Outlook: Rovnak (12.4 ppg) is the leading returning scorer, but Blue Devils are going to need to find more from the rest of the lineup.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — Southern; Dec. 6 — at Leetonia; Dec. 9 — at Mineral Ridge; Dec. 13 — at Columbiana; Dec. 16 — South Range; Dec. 20 — at Beaver Local; Dec. 27 — East Palestine; Jan. 6 — at Springfield; Jan. 10 — Crestview; Jan. 13 — at United; Jan. 20 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 24 — Columbiana; Jan. 27 — at South Range; Jan. 31 — at East Palestine; Feb. 3 — Springfield; Feb. 7 — at Crestview; Feb. 10 — United; Feb. 14 — Jackson-Milton; Feb. 21 — Sebring; Feb. 24 — at Heartland Christian.

MINERAL RIDGE

Coach: Bryan Durig (3rd season, 6-34).

2010-11 record: 0-21, 0-14 ITCL.

Projected starters: Jonathan Baker (5-10 sophomore), Nathan Palmer (6-0 sophomore), Zac Hagy (6-2 sophomore), Chris Kirby (6-1 senior), DIno Digiacomo (6-0 senior).

Other contributors: Brandon Perkins (6-1 sophomore), Jacob Fowler (6-0 sophomore), Kyle Hanshaw (6-0 senior), Jeff Marsolo (6-3 senior), Zak Woolley (6-6 senior).

Outlook: Rams will be among the youngest teams in the league, but three starters have varsity experience. There’s no established scorer, so Mineral Ridge will count on a balanced attack.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Jackson-Milton; Dec. 6 — McDonald; Dec. 9 — Lisbon; Dec. 13 — at South Range; Dec. 16 — Springfield; Dec. 20 — Columbiana; Dec. 27 — Lordstown; Dec. 30 — Mathews; Jan. 6 — at East Palestine; Jan. 10 — at United; Jan. 13 — at Crestview; Jan. 20 — at Lisbon; Jan. 24 — South Range; Jan. 27 — at Springfield; Jan. 31 — at Columbiana; Feb. 3 — East Palestine; Feb. 7 — United; Feb. 10 — Crestview; Feb. 14 — at Badger; Feb. 17 — at McDonald.

SOUTH RANGE

Coach: Dave Purins (6th season, 51-49).

2010-11 record: 16-5, 11-3 ITCL.

Returning lettermen: Brandon Pluchinsky (6-3 senior), Andy Lacefield (6-0 senior), Jordan Baker (6-0 senior), Dan Good (6-3 senior), Isaac Schuster (6-3 senior), Zac Czopur (5-11 senior), Ross Stoffer (6-0 junior).

Other varsity players: Jake Arsuffi (5-10 junior), Mason Miller (6-0 junior), Tyler Beverly (6-4 junior), Jake Pfeifer (5-9 junior), Cole Krumpak (5-10 junior).

Outlook: Bulldogs expect to compete for the league championship, led by three double-figure scorers in Lacefield, Pluchinsky and Baker (and Good averaged 9.6). A deep bench will also give Purins an edge over a lot of the competition.

Schedule: Dec. 6 — Youngstown Christian; Dec. 9 — Springfield; Dec. 13 — Mineral Ridge; Dec. 16 — at Lisbon; Dec. 20 — at United; Dec. 23 — Western Reserve; Dec. 27 — at McDonald; Dec. 30 — at Brookfield; Jan. 6 — Crestview; Jan. 10 — at East Palestine; Jan. 13 — Columbiana; Jan. 20 — at Springfield; Jan. 24 — at Mineral Ridge; Jan. 27 — Lisbon; Jan. 31 — United; Feb. 3 — at Crestview; Feb. 7 — East Palestine; Feb. 10 — at Columbiana; Feb. 14 — Leetonia; Feb. 24 — at West Branch.

SPRINGFIELD

Coach: Eric Fender (3rd season, 23-19).

2010-11 record: 14-7, 11-3 ITCL.

Projected starters: Nick Russell (6-3 senior), Ron Rogers (6-3 senior), Tom Mastran (5-10 senior), Eoghan Bees (5-8 junior), Jared McTigue (6-1 junior).

Other contributors: Joe Ohlin (6-0 senior), Ryan Stacy (5-10 senior), Joe Carabello (5-6 junior), Joe Johnson (5-9 junior), Alex Wharry (5-9 junior).

Outlook: With returning starters Russell (12 ppg), Rogers (12 ppg) and Mastran (8.6 ppg), Tigers have a solid nucleus. Fender can depend on his bench, but there’s not a lot of height on this team.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Brookfield; Dec. 9 — at South Range; Dec. 13 — United; Dec. 16 — at Mineral Ridge; Dec. 20 — at Crestview; Dec. 22 — at Youngstown Christian; Dec. 28 — Lowellville; Jan. 6 — Lisbon; Jan. 7 — Girard; Jan. 10 — Columbiana; Jan. 13 — at East Palestine; Jan. 20 — South Range; Jan. 24 — at United; Jan. 27 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 31 — Crestview; Feb. 3 — at Lisbon; Feb. 7 — at Columbiana; Feb. 10 — East Palestine; Feb. 17 — at Western Reserve; Feb. 21 — McDonald.

UNITED

Coach: Matt Mowery (1st season).

2010-11 record: 5-16, 4-10 ITCL.

Projected starters: Brett Albright (5-7 senior), Brandon Miller (5-7 sophomore), Garrett Beech (5-9 sophomore), Caleb Conser (5-10 sophomore), Kyle Widlicka (6-1 senior).

Other contributors: Doug Covert (6-3 senior), Michael Martin (5-8 sophomore), Frank Mitchell (5-8 junior), Ian Hardgrove (5-9 junior), Paul Faulkner (5-11 junior), Devin Minard (5-11 sophomore).

Outlook: Golden Eagles don’t have much experience or height. Albright averaged 9 ppg but he’s the only returning varsity player with significant playing time. It could be a struggling year for the Eagles, who have precious little experience compared to some of the other teams in the league.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — West Branch; Dec. 6 — at Salem; Dec. 9 — East Palestine; Dec. 13 — at Springfield; Dec. 16 — at Crestview; Dec. 20 — South Range; Dec. 23 — at Southern; Dec. 27 — at Heartland Christian; Jan. 6 — at Columbiana; Jan. 10 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 13 — Lisbon; Jan. 20 — at East Palestine; Jan. 24 — Springfield; Jan. 27 — Crestview; Jan. 31 — at South Range; Feb. 3 — Columbiana; Feb. 7 — at Mineral Ridge; Feb. 10 — at Lisbon; Feb. 14 — at Malvern; Feb. 18 — Minerva.

COLUMBIANA

Team information not submitted.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Leetonia; Dec. 9 — at Crestview; Dec. 13 — Lisbon; Dec. 16 — East Palestine; Dec. 20 — at Mineral Ridge; Dec. 27 — Heritage Christian; Dec. 30 — Sebring; Jan. 3 — at Champion; Jan. 6 — United; Jan. 10 — at Springfield; Jan. 13 — at South Range; Jan. 17 — at Brookfield; Jan. 20 — Crestview; Jan. 24 — at Lisbon; Jan. 27 — at East Palestine; Jan. 31 — Mineral Ridge; Feb. 3 — at United; Feb. 7 — Springfield; Feb. 10 — South Range; Feb. 14 — Southington.

TIER TWO

JACKSON-MILTON

Coach: Gary Nagy (1st year).

2010-11 record: 10-11, 5-9 ITCL.

Projected starters: Zach Nagy (5-10 senior), Ryan Nagy (6-1 senior), Brennen Morrison (6-0 senior), John Gherardi (6-1 senior), Cody Vaughn (5-6 senior).

Other contributors: Tyler Huzica (6-2 senior), Pat Pettit (6-4 junior), Chris Dolan (6-1 freshman), Chucky Anderson (5-8 junior).

Outlook: Bluejays won 10 games last season and look to improve on that total. The five projected starters averaged 37 ppg last season, so they have confidence scoring. Defense, rebounding and ball protection will be the keys.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — Mineral Ridge; Dec. 6 — Bristol; Dec. 9 — Sebring; Dec. 13 — at Wellsville; Dec. 16 — at Lowellville; Dec. 20 — Southern; Dec. 27 — at Southington; Dec. 30 — Lordstown; Jan. 3 — Mathews; Jan. 6 — at McDonald; Jan. 10 — Leetonia; Jan. 13 — Western Reserve; Jan. 20 — at Sebring; Jan. 24 — Wellsville; Jan. 27 — Lowellville; Jan. 31 — at Southern; Feb. 3 — McDonald; Feb. 7 — at Leetonia; Feb. 10 — at Western Reserve; Feb. 14 — at Lisbon.

LEETONIA

Coach: Mark Taylor (2nd year, 2-18).

2010-11 record: 2-18, 1-12 ITCL.

Varsity roster: Nick Altomare (5-9 senior), Cody Stokes (6-5 senior), Mike Thorne (6-3 senior), Alex Maltbie (6-3 senior), Cody Valentine (6-1 junior), Ian Sevenich (6-0 junior), Ian Stecker (6-6 junior), Luke Janci (5-11 junior), Trent Ferry (5-11 junior), Trent Ferry (5-10 freshman), Josh VanGiesen (6-0 junior), Zack VanGiesen (6-0 sophomore), Brandon Dattilio (5-7 junior).

Outlook: Bears expect a big turnaround, and they a big lineup to do it. Led by Stokes, who averaged a double-double last season (16 ppg, 10 rpg), Sevenich (11 ppg) and Altomare (15.6 ppg, 3.2 assists per game), Leetonia has a solid trio to build around.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — Columbiana; Dec. 6 — Lisbon; Dec. 13 — at Southern; Dec. 16 — Wellsville; Dec. 17 — Western Reserve; Dec. 20 — McDonald; Dec. 23 — at Crestview; Jan. 6 — at Sebring; Jan. 10 — at Jackson-Milton; Jan. 13 — at Lowellville; Jan. 17 — at East Palestine; Jan. 20 — at Western Reserve; Jan. 24 — Southern; Jan. 27 — at Wellsville; Jan. 31 — at McDonald; Feb. 3 — Sebring; Feb. 7 — Jackson-Milton; Feb. 10 — Lowellville; Feb. 14 — at South Range; Feb. 21 — at Lordstown.

LOWELLVILLE

Coach: Mike Mangine (9th season).

2010-11 record: 13-9, 6-7 ITCL.

Projected starters: Dean Donatelli (6-2 senior), Carmen Donofrio (5-10 senior), Geno Moore (5-10 junior), Drew McLaughlin (5-10 junior), David Wilaj (5-10 junior).

Other contributors: J.T. Hvisdak (6-0 junior), Marcus Rivera (6-0 junior), Eric Inskeep (6-0 senior).

Outlook: Rockets are young — Donatelli (10 ppg) and Donofrio (6 ppg) are the only two established varsity players, and the bench isn’t very long. Still, Lowellville is always competitive.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — Heartland Christian; Dec. 6 — Mathews; Dec. 9 — McDonald; Dec. 13 — at Sebring; Dec. 16 — Jackson-Milton; Dec. 20 — Wellsville; Dec. 23 — at Heartland Christian; Dec. 28 — at Springfield; Jan. 6 — at Southern; Jan. 10 — at Western Reserve; Jan. 13 — Leetonia; Jan. 17 — Crestview; Jan. 20 — at McDonald; Jan. 24 — Sebring; Jan. 27 — at Jackson-Milton; Jan. 31 — at Wellsville; Feb. 3 — Southern; Feb. 7 — Western Reserve; Feb. 10 — at Leetonia; Feb. 14 — at East Palestine.

MCDONALD

Coach: Brian Higgins (1st season).

2010-11 record: 23-1, 14-0 ITCL.

Projected starters: Stephen Politano (6-1 junior), Patrick Kunkel (6-1 junior), Austin Bucca (6-2 senior), Matt Seitz (6-2 sophomore), Tyler Smith (6-3 junior).

Other contributors: Anthony Pugh (5-7 freshman), Christian Rusinowski (6-2 junior), Mike Schuller (5-9 sophomore).

Outlook: Blue Devils have a history of success, and that may have to carry this team until they get their legs. There’s precious little experience returning, and how quickly this group learns to play together will determine their success.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — Girard; Dec. 6 — at Mineral Ridge; Dec. 9 — at Lowellville; Dec. 16 — Sebring; Dec. 20 — at Leetonia; Dec. 27 — South Range; Jan. 6 — Jackson-Milton; Jan. 10 — at Wellsville; Jan. 13 — at Southern; Jan. 17 — Western Reserve; Jan. 20 — Lowellville; Jan. 24 — at Western Reserve; Jan. 27 — at Sebring; Jan. 31 — Leetonia; Feb. 3 — at Jackson-Milton; Feb. 7 — Wellsville; Feb. 10 — Southern; Feb. 14 — at Brookfield; Feb. 17 — Mineral Ridge; Feb. 21 — at Springfield.

SEBRING

Coach: Mark Baia (1st season).

2010-11 record: 15-7, 8-6 ITCL.

Projected starters: Corey Baia (5-9 senior), Mitch Baddeley (5-9 senior), Dakota Wagner (6-4 senior), Joe Campbell (6-2 senior), Jake Hubbs (6-1 senior).

Other contributors: Tony Sabatine (5-7 senior), Ian D’Ostroph (5-8 senior), Jake Arbitter (6-3 senior), Johnny Gough (6-0 senior), Josh Hurford (5-8 junior).

Outlook: Third coach in as many seasons doesn’t help for continuity, but Trojans have three scorers — Wagner (9 ppg), Hubbs (6.6 ppg) and Baia (3 ppg) are a nice trio to start. Baia wants better shot selection, and those numbers could go up. He also wants — and needs — his bench to get longer.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Lordstown; Dec. 9 — at Jackson-Milton; Dec. 13 — Lowellville; Dec. 16 — at McDonald; Dec. 20 — at Western Reserve; Dec. 30 — at Columbiana; Jan. 6 — Leetonia; Jan. 10 — Southern; Jan. 13 — Wellsville; Jan. 20 — Jackson-Milton; Jan. 21 — LaBrae; Jan. 24 — at Lowellville; Jan. 27 — McDonald; Jan. 31 — Western Reserve; Feb. 3 — at Leetonia; Feb. 7 — at Southern; Feb. 10 — at Wellsville; Feb. 21 — at Lisbon; Feb. 24 — Southington.

SOUTHERN

Coach: George Whittaker (12th season).

2010-11 record: 17-4, 11-3 ITCL.

Projected starters: Darrin Beadnell (5-7 senior), Luke Griffith (6-3 junior), J.J. Napierowski (5-8 junior), Jared Sevek (6-1 senior), Kyler Woodward (6-4 junior).

Other contributors: Dylan Ketchum (5-9 junior), Jared Shilot (6-2 sophomore), Caleb Gotschall (6-6 sophomore), M.J. Williams (5-9 sophomore), James Napierowski (5-8 sophomore).

Outlook: Indians graduated all their starters off a 17-win season, so Whittaker needs some leaders to establish themselves. They have a nice combination of size, though, and that always helps.

Schedule: Dec. 2 — at Lisbon; Dec. 6 — Heartland Christian; Dec. 9 — Wellsville; Dec. 13 — Leetonia; Dec. 16 — at Western Reserve; Dec. 20 — at Jackson-Milton; Dec. 23 — United; Dec. 30 — at Toronto; Jan. 6 — Lowellville; Jan. 10 — at Sebring; Jan. 13 — McDonald; Jan. 17 — Toronto; Jan. 20 — at Wellsville; Jan. 24 — at Leetonia; Jan. 27 — Western Reserve; Jan. 31 — Jackson-Milton; Feb. 3 — at Lowellville; Feb. 7 — Sebring; Feb. 10 — at McDonald; Feb. 17 — at Heartland Christian.

WESTERN RESERVE

Coach: Tim King (20th season, 240-207).

2010-11 record: 1-20, 1-13 ITCL.

Projected starters: Thomas Benyo (6-0 senior), Jeff Clegg (5-10 senior), Payton Snyder (6-0 junior), Tim Cooper (6-0 junior), Dalton Korda (6-1 junior).

Other contributors: Cole Smith (5-8 junior), Tristan Bova (5-9 sophomore), Tyler Powell (6-3 senior), Dan Zilke (5-10 sophomore), Mitch Hubbs (5-10 senior).

Outlook: The return to King on the bench and the success of the football team are positives for the Blue Devils. The negatives — this is the fourth head coach the seniors have had in their career, so there’s new offensive and defensive systems to learn, again.

Schedule: Dec. 16 — Southern; Dec. 17 — at Leetonia; Dec. 20 — Sebring; Dec. 23 — at South Range; Dec. 27 — Mathews; Dec. 30 — Lake Center Christian; Jan. 3 — at Crestview; Jan. 6 — at Wellsville; Jan. 10 — Lowellville; Jan. 13 — at Jackson-Milton; Jan. 17 — at McDonald; Jan. 20 — Leetonia; Jan. 24 — McDonald; Jan. 27 — at Southern; Jan. 31 — at Sebring; Feb. 3 — Wellsville; Feb. 7 — at Lowellville; Feb. 10 — Jackson-Milton; Feb. 14 — at Lordstown; Feb. 17 — Springfield.

WELLSVILLE

Team information not submitted.

Schedule: Dec. 9 — at Southern; Dec. 10 — at Toronto; Dec. 13 — Jackson-Milton; Dec. 16 — at Leetonia; Dec. 20 — at Lowellville; Dec. 22 — East Liverpool; Jan. 6 — Western Reserve; Jan. 7 — Toronto; Jan. 10 — McDonald; Jan. 13 — at Sebring; Jan. 18 — at Beaver Local; Jan. 20 — Southern; Jan. 24 — at Jackson-Milton; Jan. 27 — Leetonia; Jan. 31 — Lowellville; Feb. 3 — at Western Reserve; Feb. 7 — at McDonald; Feb. 10 — Sebring; Feb. 11 — at East Liverpool.

Staff reports