We continue to look at the area conferences and what they could look like during this season.
The ACAC is an interesting case as perennial power Jay County graduated the best player in program history. Can the Patriots remain on top or is it time for someone else to claim the crown?
THE FRONT RUNNER
JAY COUNTY
What will a world at Jay County look like without coach Kirk Comer and star player Renna Schwieterman? It will be a lot different, although new coach Sherri McIntire is no stranger and that is important. So why though, with changes to the program is Jay County still the favorite? Well in the nine seasons since Jay County joined the ACAC, they have never lost double digit games overall and are 54-1 in the conference over that time. So until someone beats Jay County, the expectations is that they are the best.
While the top two scorers from a year ago graduated with 34.5 points per game between them, next up was Molly Muhlenkamp, who is back after averaging 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Jay County will also return Sophie Saxman (6.4 ppg/5.3 rpg) who had some really bright moments last season as a junior. Another part of the senior class that returns is Breanna Dirksen, who averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 steals per game.
The Schwieterman name isn’t gone yet though. Freshman Hallie Schwieterman averaged over 20 points per game last season in middle school and her development will be one to watch for years to come.
THE CONTENDER
BLUFFTON
The Tigers made one of the biggest offseason coaching hires, bringing in 27 year veteran Doug Curtis who has plenty of experience in the ACAC. He brings bacl solid experience on his roster includiong two double digit per game scorers. Senior guard Haley Gibson (10.8 ppg/3.1 rpg) and junior forward Maryn Schreiber (10.6 ppg/8rpg) are major pieces to bring back. Three other juniors join Schreiber and a class that can grow under Curtis. Isabella Stout (5.4 ppg/4.5 rpg), Tressa Renner and Marly Drayer all saw time last season; sophomore Konley Ault (5.9 ppg) is also back.
Senior Cayah King is up from the junior varsity to add depth for Bluffton. She will provide front court depth, as will Norwell move in junior Madyson Sonnigsen and 5-foot-10 freshman Sophie Eisenhut.
“Being my first year here, they will need to buy into the new system to help usage over the top with winning winnable games,” Curtis said. “We also will need to shoot it better and control the ball better than last season. I liked what I saw this summer and I think we’ll be very competitive in both the ACAC and our Sectional.”
THE OTHERS (ALPHABETICALLY)
ADAMS CENTRAL
Expect a lot of fun for the Adams Central program who grew throughout last season, including a big Sectional round win over Bluffton, extending a streak of six straight seasons with at least one postseason win. Now that Adams Central has spent a year under coach Kyle Roe, expect things to continue to grow. Athena Schwartz will be AC’s top returner after averaging 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game last season. She will be joined by six other players with varsity experience. Other back court returners incude Kate Fisher, Ava Stafford (4.4 ppg) and combo Alexa Brotherton. The front court will see returns from center Addie Baker (6.8 ppg/4.5 rpg), Grace Fisher (4.7 ppg/5.8 rpg) and Audrey Eisberg.
Who will add depth as a new player to the lineup? That is still the question for the Flying Jets with multiple former junior varsity players, freshmen, an exchange student and move ins all options. Lilly Hall and Alana Tolbert have both transferred in, while exchange student Aliya Bissekeyeva could compete for time.
“For us its really going to come down to consistency. I thought we had a pretty solid summer season. We moved the ball well and got our shooters the shots we wanted. When they are on, it gives our post players the space they need to attack the basket and this creates the offensive balance we want,” Roe said. “Defensively, we were able to rotate in 8 or 9 allowing us to pressure and be very aggressive”
HERITAGE
Expect a complete rebuild for the Patriots, who will bring back few players with varsity experience and just a combined 4.4 points per game among them. Danica Fuller (2.4 ppg) will run the point for the Patriots and she will joined in the backcourt by a returning Natalie Otte. Grace Guenthner will be the other returning player for Heritage as she takes up her spot in the post.
It leaves room for many newcomers to make an instant mark including sophomore Isabella Martin. Heritage could see a multitude of freshmen stepping up for them. 5-foot-10 forward Audra Bickel could be important quickly to help protect the paint. Kaydence Wallace and Trinitee Brown are two other freshmen who could be relied on quickly.
“Our program is very young and full of new faces. However, this group is hard working, eager to learn, and has a great potential for growth and improvement. Returning players and newcomers will be asked to step up and fill new roles. Although this is a rebuilding season for our program, my staff and I are excited about potential for this group,” said Heritage coach Nicole Sisson.
SOUTH ADAMS
The Starfires have a lot to replace lost to graduation but the main thing they will have back in Macy Pries, who has been a high volume scorer for South Adams since she came in as a freshman. Now as a senior, Pries will look to lead a younger Starfire team after averaging 15.2 points and 4.1 steals per game last season.
South Adams will also bring back a pair of other seniors who saw time last season. Liz Gerber (3.2 ppg) played in all but one game last season and Emmerson Smith appeared in all 24 contests.
SOUTHERN WELLS
Southern Wells will rely on interior play to find success with all three of their returning players standing 5-foot-10 or taller. That starts with Ashlie Needler, who is their top returner with 8.1 points and and six rebounds per game, amassing almost a quarter of the Raiders scoring last season. She will be joined in the by fellow returners Kenzie Paxon and 5-10 shooting guard Collena Reeves.
A pair of freshmen, Erika Bevans and Aubree Mayer will compete immediately for time. For Southern Wells to have depth, they will need to rely on several players from the junior varsity to contribute immediately. Shooting guards Gracie Reeves, Karlee Warner and Callie Ripperger and point guard Kyah Thomas will all be part of the lineup.
“To be successful, our athletes will have to have unwavering commitment, continuous learning, and ability to adapt to change. It’s not just about reaching a destination, its about the journey of improvement,” said Southern Wells coach Jessica Killingbeck.
WOODLAN
Welcome back to the coaching world David Randall. The former Warriors boys coach takes over for the retired Gary Cobb and it gives Woodlan immediately a person who is both familiar and cares for the school and program. He will have a bit to rebuild but there is a lot to build on from a team that went 20-5 last season and contended for the ACAC title. They return arguably the best player in the conference in Taylor Kneubuhler (13.5 ppg/4.5 rpg) as well as Brooke Kneubuhler (6.4) ppg. While the Kneubuhlers saw the most minutes of any returners, Leah Elwood and Reagan Widenhoefer are also back.
Center Chloe Gaff will join the team after not playing last season and then Woodlan will rely on a host of players up form the junior varsity. Forwards Makenna Smith, Mariah Thullner and Alyssa Anderson will move up alongside guard Karina Peppler. A pair of freshmen can compete for time in McKenna Goble and Addison Klotz.
“Other than Taylor and Brooke, we don’t have any girls who have played major minutes at the varsity level. If the newcomers can get up to varsity speed and intensity quickly, I think we can have a successful season,” Randall said. “We will constantly stress the importance of getting better every day and seeing where we are at the end of the year. The program has had a lot of success the past two years and I’m anxious to see these girls work to keep that standard.”
ACAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Jay County
2. Bluffton
3. Woodlan
4. Adams Central
5. South Adams
6. Heritage
7. Southern Wells
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