Western Ohio Athletic Conference (WOAC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WOAC was able to send a team to the State Finals in 2022 with Tri-Village making a run to the Division IV State Finals before falling to Richmond Heights. The conference appears to be top heavy yet again as the top 3-5 teams should again have quite a bit of separation from the bottom half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contenders</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Preble Shawnee</em>- The Arrows were the 2nd best team in the conference a year ago (18-5) and were a win away from the District Finals. The Arrows will have 2 of their top 3 back including the top player overall in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1067753' first='Mason' last='Shrout']</strong> (Jr). One could make a case this is the best team this season as they have a strong junior class with Shrout and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489746' first='Logan' last='Hawley']</strong> (Jr) leading them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Tri-Village</em>- The Patriots were undefeated in the conference a year ago and were in the Division IV championship game. They lose arguably one of the best players in program history in Layne Sarver in the process of coming into the new year. Fortunately, the Patriots will have an experienced backcourt in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201864' first='Dalton' last='DeLong']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Wilson Suggs</strong> (Sr) both returning as well as the addition of <strong>Trey Sagester</strong> (Fr). Size won't be an issue as <strong>Justin Finkbine</strong> (Sr) also returns after showing he's one of the better interior threats in the conference on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Predicted Order of Finish</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":1} --> <ol start="1"><li>1. <strong><em>Tri-Village</em></strong>- Experienced backcourt is back even though the Patriots move into Division III this year.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Preble Shawnee</em></strong>- Arrows have the best player back (Shrout) and make a case to be top team in the conference.</li><li>3. <strong><em>Bradford</em></strong>- Return next best scorer beyond Shrout in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456984' first='Parker' last='Davidson']</strong> (Sr). Plenty of pieces around him and will be one of the nicer squads in the conference.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Newton</em></strong>- Lose an All-District guard but do bring back <strong>Harold Oburn</strong> (Sr) in the post. Will need quality guard play to move forward in the conference.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Twin Valley South</em></strong>- Showed glimpses of being a special team last year and return <strong>Jandon Ankrom</strong> (Jr) from that team.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Arcanum</em></strong>- One of the biggest schools in the conference. Lose their floor general and PG, but will have <strong>Nick Sharrits</strong> (Sr) back for his senior campaign in the post.</li><li>7. <strong><em>Ansonia</em></strong>- <strong>Garrett Stammen</strong> (Jr) brings 2 years of experience for a team looking to expand in the conference race.</li><li>8. <strong><em>Tri-County North</em></strong>- Struggled a year ago, but they have their 2 best guys returning in <strong>Jon Shirley</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Logan Flory</strong> (Jr). Should be able to win more than 5 games this year.</li><li>9-12. <strong><em>Dixie, Franklin Monroe, Mississinawa Valley, </em></strong>and <strong><em>National Trail</em></strong>- All 4 teams are up in the air of where they will finish. Dixie loses a 4-year lettermen in Jordan Butt. Franklin Monroe loses their best player over the past 2 years in Ky Cool. Mississinawa Valley only won 3 games a year ago, but have <strong>Matt Pisano</strong> (Sr) back to lead them. National Trail loses their top 3 guys from a struggling team a season ago.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->