Allen County's high school basketball coaches give us a preview of the upcoming season.
Facilitating this conversation with ten local high school coaches was Matt Childers, current Executive Director of Allen Lima Leadership. Matt graduated from Lima Central Catholic where he was a captain for Hall of Fame Coach Bob Seggerson and The University of Toledo. Matt has worked in the radio and media field since moving back to Lima in 1998. He hosts the Saturday Morning Sportsrap on Sportsradio 93.1 The Fan. An avid basketball fan, Matt has created the podcast Lima Land Hoops and History! – a podcast that recounts the great history of Lima Basketball.
Head Coach Mark Triplett’s Shawnee Indians came off an incredible season last year winning the WBL. Mark discussed the disappointment of the pandemic abruptly closing that season. He is excited about this new season and today is the first day that their entire group will be together, as some of his athletes have been quarantined, and others played in various fall sports. Their five scrimmages have challenged them and they are looking forward to hitting the floor against Elida this Friday night.
Jordan Jettinghoff is in his 5th year as head coach with the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats. His priority is getting everyone healthy as he heads into his first practice today with his full team since the end of October. The chemistry among his team members is working well for them. They are leading off the season this Friday against Wapak. Childers asked him to name the top three to beat in the NWC this year and Jordan noted Columbus Grove, Crestview, and Lincolnview.
Elida Bulldogs Veteran Head Coach Denny Thompson has been at Elida since 1986. He spoke about the history of the 31st edition of the Tip Off Classic this Friday night where they will play Shawnee – and just a great way to start the season. Denny gave great compliments to Shawnee and how prepared they are to do well this year. His own Elida team is young and will need to prove themselves. Discussion included Elida alumni Dakota Mathias and the recent NBA draft – wishing that young man the best of luck!
Temple Christian Head Coach Bruce Bowman has been with his Pioneers for 27 years now. Bruce is back this year after some personal health issues last season. Temple Christian opened in 1976 with basketball starting in the early ‘80s – and Bruce as one of the early players. He returned in ‘89/’90 as coach and believes it has been a blessing, especially to be able to coach his own sons. The Pioneers had a tough year last year but they have nine letterman returning this year and are working hard to have a successful season. They open this Saturday night against Continental.
Perry Commodores Head Coach Matt Tabler is pretty excited for his team, heavy with juniors. They have five scrimmages under their belts and are ready to get started. Matt has been there 14 years and Perry has seen much success in their NWCC state winning program. Keys to sustaining that record includes having buy-in from athletes and the community. They have built a program that focuses on younger athlete skill building. Matt noted that they are playing a tough group of competitors from the MAC this season and will open this Friday night against McComb.
Like many coaches in our region, Delphos St. John’s Head Coach Aaron Elwer has 14 a year history with this powerhouse team. He spoke of how their youth basketball program is fundamental toward allowing them to continue that high school team success. Aaron sees a lot of really good players not only on his team but across the conference. He also reflected on how very special their tradition of playing in “The Vatican” is for them in a home court advantage. This Friday night they will open their season against Antwerp.
The new kid on the block is Allen East Mustangs Head Coach Gabe Young who is starting his first year as head coach. Like most of the other coaches already noted, Gabe has been dealing with quarantined team members and an interruption to getting ready for the season. They open this Friday against Vanlue. Gabe believes that the NWC will be extremely tough again this year and he agreed with Delphos Jefferson on the three top teams to beat. Six seniors are returning at Allen East, along with a considerable number of juniors and sophomores to give ample support to their program.
Lima Senior Spartans Head Coach Quincy Simpson spoke about the regional championship they were headed into back in March when COVID shut basketball down in Ohio. Quincy felt they were prepared to do well, and it was unfortunate that they could not complete the season. He said it’s a blessing to be back and able to play and how proud he is of this year’s team. He has been following his former students in their college careers. Quincy also reported on his son Xavier Simpson having a phenomenal opportunity with the NBA. He spoke of the role models that these young men are to our high school athletes back here at home. The Spartans will open their season on December 12th at Beavercreek.
NWC Bluffton Pirates Head Coach Todd Boblett spoke about the incredible game they had last January against the WBL Ottawa Glandorf Titans. Todd explained how that was the first sell-out game in his 15 year history with the team. Looking at this season, he noted that they lost six seniors last year and they will be missed immensely. Like many of the other teams, this new group of fresh faces is without the benefit of a lengthy time together. Todd says that the NWC looks really good – great teams and great coaches. He agreed with the Blue Jays and Mustangs coaches on the top three teams to beat – but said that he expects some teams to surprise them. Bluffton is going to do the best they can with where they are and take each week at a time.
Matt Childers teased that he saved the best for last when he introduced the head coach of his alma matter the LCC Thunderbirds. We were pleased to find Rotary member Father Ross sitting with LCC Head Coach Frank Kill during his virtual conversation with us today! With two state championships in last decade, LCC has a great winning basketball culture coupled with football success. Frank talked about his challenge being that his team and the school don’t take winning for granted. His basketball athletes in fall sports, COVID, and quarantining have challenged the team he puts together week to week. Frank noted that they have only had about two to three weeks of practices and he is making some tough choices about who will play on this opening roster. Friday evening LCC will face Bath in the first round at the Elida Tip Off Classic.