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EAST PALESTINE GIRLS

SCHOOL: East Palestine Bulldogs.

2024-25 RECORD: 5-18, including a 3-11 record in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs lost their last four games and 10 of their last 11.

HEAD COACH: Rick Gates is in his second season at East Palestine and 32nd overall as a head coach. He was 247-242 in 22 seasons in two stints as Crestview boys coach and 108-81 in eight seasons as Crestview girls coach. Has career head coaching record of 360-341.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Jill Baird, Joclyn Fristik, Adyson Glavan, Alexis Gates Houser, Carson Rutledge, Kevin McKinstry.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Five, including four starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Cami Kridler (senior guard, one-year letterwinner), Marley Blythe (junior forward, two-year letterwinner), Alivia Magness (junior guard, two-year letterwinner), Jacklyn Ogle (sophomore forward, one-year letterwinner), Sydney Jurjavcic (junior guard, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Amara Wilson (senior forwaard), Destiny Burtyk (freshman guard), Violet Glavan (freshman guard), Alexis Ogle (freshman guard), Bella Wendell (sophomore guard).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Hardworking student athletes,” Gates said.

TEAM WEAKNESSES: Numbers with two seniors, three juniors and two sophomores.

“We are working hard to build a strong competitive program,” Gates said.

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring — Jaclyn Ogle 8.8, Alivia Magness 3.5; Rebounds — Jacklyn Ogle 6.8, Marley Blythe 4.6; Assists — Cami Kridler 1.8; Steals — Jacklyn Ogle 3.1, Olivia Magness 2.0; Blocks — Emma Gingher 1.0; Field Goal Pct. — Emma Gingher 29%; Three-point Pct.–Alivia Magness 21%; Free Throw Pct. — Alivia Magness 45%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Jacklyn Ogle, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: A big step would be if East Palestine could climb into the upper half of the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference.

Gates sees Southern, Columbiana and United as the top three teams in the EOAC.

“East Palestine is growing every practice and game,” he said. “We were working hard to compete and build program numbers.”

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LEETONIA GIRLS

SCHOOL: Leetonia Bears.

2024-25 RECORD: 1-20, including an 0-14 mark in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference. The Bears lost their last 11 games.

HEAD COACH: Steve Reynolds is in his first season as head coach. He was 5-17 as Liberty’s head coach in the 2023-24 season. He also has been an assistant at Akron Hoban and Ravenna.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Anthony Ford, Kelly Reynolds.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Four, all starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Aryana Chapman (5-8 senior center-forward three-year letterwinner), Starr Neel (5-7 junior guard-forward, two-year letterwinner), Carli Simms (5-7 junior guard-forward, two-year letterwinner), Kasey Williams (senior, three-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Olivia Neel (5-6 sophomore forward), Hallie Lewis (5-2 sophomore guard ), Rileigh Spotleson (5-2 sophomore forward), Emily West (freshman), Alexis Geer (freshman), Aubrey Knight (freshman), Addison Gray (freshman).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Numbers,” Reynolds said. “Our team has 12 players that are ready to go at any given time.”

TEAM WEAKNESSES: “Winning,” Reynolds said. “We haven’t had a winning season since 2020-21. The senior class has won only eight games their entire Leetonia career (entering the season).”

SEASON OUTLOOK: Leetonia snapped a 20-game losing streak in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference with a 48-18 win at Wellsville on Dec. 17.

The Bears want “to finish better than we have in the last three years to give the senior class more than 10 games won,” Reynolds said.

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SALEM BOYS

SCHOOL: Salem Quakers.

2024-25 RECORD: 8-16, including a 1-9 mark in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. The Quakers had a 10-game losing streak in the middle of the season, all but one by double-digit margins.

HEAD COACH: Jeff Andres is in his eight season as head coach with a record of 63-100. He has 27 years of coaching experience, including four seasonsas the Salem girls head coach with a 69-24 record from 2006-10.

ASSISTANT COACHES: George Spack (varsity assistant), Bill Miller (varsity assistant), Vince Nittoli (junior varsity), Zane Muckleroy (freshman), Camden Sampson (freshman), Dave Warren (eighth grade), Trent Tice (seventh grade).

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Four, including two starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Deontay Steele (6-1 senior guard, two-year letterwinner), Ben Severe (6-3 senior forward, two-year letterwinner), Ty Manion (6-0 senior guard, one-year letterwinner), Jack Andres (6-1 sophomore guard, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Karsen Dangel (5-11 senior guard), Braydon Fennema (6-3 senior forward), Owen Davidson (6-2 junior forward), Max Zacharias (5-10 junior guard), Weston Mango (6-1 sophomore forward), Cam Martin (5-9 sophomore guard), Zane Suarez (6-0 sophomore guard).

JUNIOR VARSITY PLAYERS: Tarion Thornton (6-2 junior forward), Damien Mathes (6-2 junior forward), Braydon Carrocce (6-1 sophomore forward), Gavin Arnoto (5-11 sophomore forward), Brady Hendricks (5-9 sophomore guard), Tyson Jackson (5-10 sophomore guard), Colton Hall (5-10 sophomore guard), Waylin Pelamati (6-1 sophomore forward).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Our overall athleticism is our strength,” Andres said. “We have some guys that can score. We want to play fast on offense.”

TEAM WEAKNESSES: “Outside of a few guys, we do not have a lot of varsity experience,”Andres said. “We hae to be winning to play more physical if we want to compete in our league.”

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring — Deontay Steele 11.2; Rebounds — Evan Jones (graduated) 7.7; Assists — Colin Riesen (graduated) 2.7; Steals — Colin Riesen (graduated) 2.0; Field Goal Pct. — Colin Riesen (graduated) 54%; Free Throw Pct. — Bene Severe 73%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Deontay Steele, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Quakers lost three of their first four games by an average margin of 34 points per game.

“We feel we have an athletic team that can score and will look to play fast on offense while being much tougher on the defensive end,” Andres said.

“It should be an interesting year in the EBC as every team should be able to compete at a high level every night. Alliance is probably the preseason favorite as they return everyone. Our non-league schedule remains exremely challenging.”

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SALEM GIRLS

SCHOOL: Salem Quakers.

2024-25 RECORD: 11-13, including a 4-6 mark in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. The Quakers were 4-4 in games decided by four points or less.

HEAD COACH: Matt Mowery is in his second year as head coach. He has spent the previous 10 seasons as a Salem boys assistant coach after three seasons as the United boys head coach with a 6-61 record.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Marlaina Laut (junior varsity coach), George Spack (assistant), Jenna McClish (assistant), Kami Rohm (volunteer assistant), Derek Frederick (eighth grade), Zach Penick (seventh grade), Kelly Paxson (junior high volunteer assistant).

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seven, including three starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Maddy Andres (5-7 senior guard-forward, three-year letterwinner), Emilee Lewis 5-3 senior guard, one-year letterwinner), Garyn Rohm (5-10 senior forward, two-year letterwinner), Karlie Sampson 5-6 senior guard), Peyton Colbert (5-11 junior forward, one-year letterwinner), Abby Knickerbocker (5-10 junior guard-forward, one-year letterwinner), Ryann Vross 5-7 junior guard, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Noa Martin Viela Rego 5-10 junior guard-forward), Shae Burkhart 5-7 sophomore guard), Ava Lee (5-8 sophomore forward), Olivia Lewis 5-4 sophomore guard).

JUNIOR VARSITY PLAYERS: Chloe Cummings 5-10 freshman forward), Kandie Duvall 5-0 freshman guard), Neveah Duvall 5-0 freshman guard), Maryn McFadden 5-6 freshman guard-forward).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Team chemistry and depth, athleticism, quickness,” Mowery said.

TEAM WEAKNESSES: No proven scorer behind Abby Knickerbocker.

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring–Reese Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 13.8, Abby Knickerbocker 9.8; Rebounds–Abby Knickerbocker 5.5, Reese Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 5.3; Assists–Reese Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 2.3, Sampson 2.0; Steals–Reese Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 3.8, Rylee Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 3.1; Field Goal Pct.–Knickerbocker 37%; Reese Davidson-Chuck (graduated) 37%; Free Throw Pct.–Maddy Andres 77%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Reese Davidson-Chuck, special mention Division IV All-Ohio, Eastern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-Area.

Abby Knickerbocker, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON AND LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “We are looking to improve upon our 11 wins from a year ago,” Mowery said.

“The EBC will be tough as always with West Branch and Carrollton returning a core group of players. Non-conference schedule features new matchups with Jefferson, Mooney, Niles, Chaney, and Beaver Local while facing other challenging opponents from last season.”

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UNITED BOYS

SCHOOL: United Golden Eagles.

2024-25 RECORD: 5-18, including 2-12 mark in the Eastern Ohio Atheltic Conference. The Eagles lost 10 of their last 12 games.

HEAD COACH: Jason Thompson is in his sixth season as head coach with a record of 42-80. He was the Lisbon girls coach from 2011-16 with a record of 74-66.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Eric Simmons, Tom Coffee, Connor Wright, Cade Shoff.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Eight, including three starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Jason Pratt (5-11 senior guard, two-year letterwinner), Kadin Schonauer (5-11 senior guard, one-year letterwinner), Wyatt Blevins (6-5 senior forward, one-year letterwinner), Lance Rycraft (6-1 senior guard-forward, one-year letterwinner), M’Kyan Haynes (5-9 junior guard-forward, one-year letterwinner), Matthew Hoopes (6-2 junior guard-forward, one-year letterwinner), Kota Shasteen (6-4 junior forward, one-year letterwinner), Abram Ceresna (5-7 sophomore guard, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Ryan Miller (6-0 junior guard-forward), Ayden Bradley (6-4 junior guard-forward), Jordan Kidder (6-1 junior guard-forward), Levi Lucas (6-5 junior forward), Gavin Coffee (5-8 junior guard).

JUNIOR VARSITY PLAYERS: Carter Cope (6-1 sophomore forward), Ayden Poling (5-9 freshman guard), Owen Thomas (5-5 freshman guard), Pierce Graybeal (5-4 freshman guard).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Team athleticism and the depth that we will have,” Thompson said.

TEAM WEAKNESSES: “Our weaknesses will be staying fundamentally sound and playing consistently,” Thompson said.

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring — Jason Pratt 9.4, Trent Ellyson (graduated) 8.0; Rebounds — Trent Ellyson (graduated) 8.2; Assists — Jason Pratt 1.3, M’Kyan Haynes 1.3; Steals — M’Kyan Haynes 1.5; Field Goal Pct. — Luke Mercer (graduated) 42%; Free Throw Pct. — Matthew Hoopes 70%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Jason Pratt, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: “We will be very deep and athletic,” Thompson said. “I expect us to be a very fast and aggressive team.”

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UNITED GIRLS

SCHOOL: United Golden Eagles.

2024-25 RECORD: 12-11, including a second-place finish in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference with a 12-2 record. The Eagles lost their last three games.

HEAD COACH: Cory Leek is in his fourth season as head coach with a record of 46-25. He was the Southern girls coach for four seasons with a record of 29-58.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Terry Leek, Scott Cope.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Four, including two starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Marin Stryffeler (5-4 senior guard, one-year letterwinner), Maelee Smith (5-9 sophomore post, one-year letterwinner), McKenzie Cope (5-4 junior guard, one-year letterwinner), Reagan Good (5-9 sophomore post, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Kylie Holmes (5-6 sophomore), Addie Butream (5-6 junior), Atlee Brinker (5-10 junior), Izzy Blazer (5-7 sophomore), Bella Thompson (5-5 freshman), Danika Anderson (5-7 freshman), Ines Vilela Rego (5-8 junior), Carli Binckly (5-6 sophomore), Audrey Wilson (5-6 freshman).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “We have four returning lettermen, along with a couple of underclassmen that are ready to play,” Leek said. “We are very young, but have some experience with our sophomore post players. Our post play and our defense will be our strengths this season.”

TEAM WEAKNESSES: “Will be our youth on the team,” Leek said. “We have one senior, two returning starters. Our numbers are a little down from last season.”

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring–Maelee Smith 12.1, Reagan Good 7.0; Rebounds–Maelee Smith 5.3, Reagan Good 4.4; Assists–Allyson Lacey (graduated) 4.3; Steals–Allyson Lacey (graduated) 3.3, Maelee Smith 3.0; Field Goal Pct.– Maelee Smith 44.2%; Free Throw Pct–Maelee Smith 50.6%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Maelee Smith, honorable mention All-Area.

Reagan Good, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Eagles have been able to win in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference (going 51-5 the previous four seasons), but have had trouble winning the other games.

The Eagles snapped a 13-game out-of-league losing streak by topping Beaver Local on Dec. 13.

“With some key returning players, we would like to compete for the EOAC title,” Leek said. “We look forward to the challenge of competing against Columbiana and Southern. I think this team has the ability to win the league this year. We need to be ready to play each night in the EOAC, each team has some great returning players and coaches.”

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WELLSVILLE GIRLS

SCHOOL: Wellsville Tigers.

2024-25 RECORD: 12-12, including a 9-5 mark in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. The Tigers won 12 games after almost not having enough players for a team.

HEAD COACH: Jaimon Edison is in his first season.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Cody Reese.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Two, including one starter.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: MacKenzie Bosco (junior forward, two-year letterwinner), Karolyn Cataldo (junior point guard, two-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Brianna Martin (junior guard), Naryah Neely (sophomore guard), June Flygare (sophomore forward), Araynah Moman (sophomore guard), Jaidyn Bebout (freshman guard), Rayleah Lamp (freshman guard).

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring–Bella Poppelriter (graduated) 19.0; Rebounds–Bella Poppelriter (graduated) 10.0; Steals–Bella Poppelriter (graduated) 4.0.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Bella Poppelriter (graduated), special mention Division VII All-Ohio and first-team All-Area.

Myleigh Jackson (graduated) honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers return only two players from last season’s team and opened their season with nine straight losses.

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WEST BRANCH BOYS

SCHOOL: West Branch Warriors.

2024-25 RECORD: 13-12, including a 4-6 mark in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. The Warriors won six of their last seven games.

HEAD COACH: Scott Loudon is in his third season as head coach with a 34-17 record. He was junior varsity head coach of the Minerva boys the previous eight seasons and coached 20 years at West Branch, including six as junior varsity coach.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Daniel Laut (varsity assistant), Brad Smith (junior varsity), John Hancock (freshman).

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Six, including two starters.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Jeremiah Thomas (5-10 senior guard, three-year letterwinner), Gavin Gregory (6-7 senior forward, three-year letterwinner), Zach Coffee (6-4 senior forward, two-year letterwinner), Kasen Weaver (6-0 senior guard, two-year letterwinner), Grady Hirst (6-2 junior guard, one-year letterwinner), Landon Coffee (6-5 sophomore foward, one-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Chase Gee (5-10 senior guard), Joey Troyer (5-10 junior guard), Brock Woost (6-0 junior guard).

TEAM STRENGTHS: Size and experience.

TEAM WEAKNESSES: Scoring. The Warriors averaged 47.2 points in their opening five games.

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring–Cooper Anderson (graduated) 12.6; Rebounds–Cooper Anderson (graduated) 7.6.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Cooper Anderson (graduated) honorable mention Division IV All-Ohio and first-team All-Area.

Jeremiah Thomas, honorable mention All-Area.

Gavin Gregory, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have a tough schedule that should challenge us and prepare us for the tournament,” Loudon said. “Alliance and Carrollton were league champs last year and I expect them to be at the top this year. League should be competitive top to bottom.”

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WEST BRANCH GIRLS

SCHOOL: West Branch Warriors.

2024-25 RECORD: 22-3, including a second straight Eastern Buckeye Conference title with a 10-0 mark.

HEAD COACH: Walt DeShields is in his 21st season as head coach with a record of 380-119 (a winning percentage of 76.2%) He was the West Branch girls assistant for one year after being a Louisville varsity assistant from 1999-2001 and West Branch freshman boys coach from 1988-94.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Bob Shepherd (assistant), Mike Butcher (assistant), Jana Stitle (assistant), Lou Sellaroli (junior varsity), Tony Lucente (eighth grade), Chris Adams (seventh grade).

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Six, including two starters and three others who started some games.

RETURNING VARSITY PLAYERS: Sammi Beatty (5-6 senior guard, two-year letterwinner), Alli Kanagy (5-5 senior guard, three-year letterwinner), Tallie Muniz (6-0 senior center, three-year letterwinner), Hallie Vie Burton (5-10 senior forward, three-year letterwinner), Aliniee Bacconi (5-6 junior guard, one-year letterwinner), Audrey Eaton (5-9 junior guard, two-year letterwinner).

INCOMING VARSITY PLAYERS: Ciara Evans (5-8 senior forward), Sydney Lane (5-10 sophomore forward), Carly Loper (5-8 sophomore guard), Sofia Bacconi (5-7 freshman forward), Elli Colian (5-5 freshman guard), Madi Hoopes (6-1 freshman forward), Iris Nezbeth (5-8 freshman guard), Iris Nezbeth (5-8 freshman guard), Kelly Ewing (5-6 freshman guard), Nicole Deckerd (5-9 junior center), Madi Brammer (5-8 freshman forward).

TEAM STRENGTHS: “Our defense has been the cornerstone to our program,” DeShields said. “The last two teams have produced the lowest two defensive averages in school history (27.1 in 2023-24 and 27.3 in 2024-25). We feel that this year’s team can also be an excellent defensive team, as well. ”

TEAM WEAKNESSES: “We only averaged 44.2 points per game last year. So, we are definitely looking to improve and for some girls to step up, become more aggressive and consistent as scorers this year,” DeShields said.

2024-25 LEADERS: Scoring–Audrey Eaton 8.9, Tallie Muniz 7.0; Rebounds–Hallie Vie Burton 4.8, Tallie Muniz 4.7, Carter Shepherd (graduated) 4.0; Assists — Audrey Eaton 3.3 Steals–Audrey Eaton 2.5; Blocks–Tallie Muniz 1.3; Field Goal Pct.–Tallie Muniz 54%.

2024-25 PLAYERS HONORED: Audrey Eaton, special mention Division IV All-Ohio and first-team All-Area.

Tallie Muniz, honorable mention Division IV All-Ohio and honorable mention All-Area.

Mati Hawk (graduated) honorable mention All-Area.

Ellie Tucker, honorable mention All-Area.

SEASON OUTLOOK: “Our expectations are always very high,” DeShields said. “We think that we have several girls that are capable of competing at the varsity level this season, which will make our team exciting to watch this year.”

The Warriors have 10 players from the upper three grades and will add freshman Madi Hoopes, who has already received a scholarship offer from Youngstown State.

“A couple important keys that will determine our success this season are: that every players uses their strengths, to accept their role on the team and that we can put mistakes quickly behind us, moving on to the next play,” DeShields said.

The Warriors enter the season with a 21-game winning streak in the EBC.

“The Eastern Buckeye Conference is always very competitive in girls basketball,” DeShields said. “We will need to bring our A’game every game.

“Our non-conference schedules is as demanding as always, with several traditionally strong girls basketball programs on it, creating big challenges, exciting games and help prepare for the postseason tournament.”