Cross County Conference Preview

<p>Well this is it. The Cross County Conference as we know it will disappear after this season. Many teams will be leaving to form two new conferences in Dayton. For now we will enjoy this final season with great excitement. Take a look at the young but talented CCC</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">All Conference</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967174" first="Layne" last="Sarver"]</strong> (2022) Tri-Village- Easily the most athletic player in the conference; does everything on the offensive end and the sole Junior on this list.</p> <p><strong>Dylan Stinson </strong>(2021) Tri County North- Leading scorer for the Panthers a season ago; should be averaging 20+ agin this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967134" first="Cameron" last="Harrison"]</strong> (2021) National Trail- All around talented guard; leads an offense and executes in the half court.</p> <p><strong>Sam</strong> <strong>Zapadka</strong> (2021) Miami East- 6’2 G led scoring a season ago; will be one of the leaders for a young Vikings team.</p> <p><strong>Ethan Rimkus</strong> (2021) Bethel- 2nd in scoring for Bethel last year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Top Teams</span></p> <p><strong>Miami East- </strong>This Vikings group might be one of the sleeper teams in the CCC this season. Sam Zapadka is back for his senior year and has plenty of young pieces to help him especially with incoming freshman. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068245" first="Wes" last="Enis"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068246" first="Jacob" last="Roeth"]</strong> impressed this Summer and should fit in very early with the Vikings group. <strong>Collen Gudorf</strong> (2022) will bring his 6’5 frame and try to be the interior piece needed for the Vikings to take the CCC. This group could be a sleeper in DIvision III sectional play but more importantly, this is a dangerous team for the future.</p> <p><strong>National Trail</strong>- Last year’s Blazers team went undefeated in the CCC and was one of Dayton’s best small school teams in the postseason before falling in the District Finals to Anna. Graduation is going to impact this team but not enough to eliminate them from competing yet again. Harrison may be the best guard in the conference and will orchestrate this guard heavy group. <strong>Tyler Weathington</strong> (2021) is back as well and is going to form a solid 1-2 punch with Harrison within the conference.</p> <p><strong>Tri-Village</strong>- The Patriots were extremely young a season ago and yet they were still successful in the CCC. This year’s team is going to be so much better than a year ago. For starters, Josh Sagester returns as the head coach after a brief hiatus. Sagester is going to depend heavily on Sarver who as I mentioned above, is the most athletic player in the conference. Sophomores <strong>Dalton DeLong</strong> and <strong>Wilson Suggs</strong> showed they can be difference makers as well and should be watched. This group took an early exit in the postseason last year and will be hungry to avenge themselves this year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Predicted Finish:</span></p> <ol> <li><strong>Tri-Village</strong>- Too athletic for teams to matchup with. Young and hungry.</li> <li><strong>National Trail</strong>- Harrison is going to lead this team in the backcourt.</li> <li><strong>Miami East</strong>- Young group that’s 1-2 years away.</li> <li><strong>Bethel</strong>- Well coached group that will be led by <strong>Ethan Rimkus</strong> (2021).</li> <li><strong>Tri-County North</strong>- Return leading scorer <strong>Dylan Stinson</strong> (2021), but who will accompany him?</li> <li><strong>Ansonia</strong>- Lose some of their guards from a season ago, but have <strong>Reece Stammen</strong> (2021) back.</li> <li><strong>Franklin Monroe</strong>- Seniors <strong>Aidan Luchini </strong>and <strong>Cavin Baker</strong> are back, but depth is going to be an issue for this group.</li> <li><strong>Arcanum</strong>- Hit hard by graduation but have a promising guard in <strong>Jake Goubeaux</strong> (2022) to build around.</li> <li><strong>Twin Valley South</strong>- Hit hard by graduation; keep an eye on <strong>Brayden Marker</strong> (2021).</li> <li><strong>Newton</strong>- Lose their leading scorer from a season ago, but have 6’3 <strong>Mitchell Montgomery</strong> (2021) back to lead.</li> <li><strong>Mississinawa Valley</strong>- Lost most of their playmakers from a season ago.</li> <li><strong>Covington</strong>- Graduated their leading scorers and now moving up to Division III this postseason.</li> <li><strong>Bradford</strong>- <strong>Parker Davidson</strong> (2023) will be a name worth following but this team is going to struggle.</li> </ol>