Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OCC brings teams together from Northwest, Northeast, and Eastern Ohio to form a very versatile conference. Last year saw Ashland and Lexington impress the most in route to a successful season for both. Moving into the new year brings some new expectations. See who I expect to impress below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lexington</em></strong>- The Minutemen were the only team that made a District Final last year and are going to be bringing back a large amount of those guys for another run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1419907' first='Baden' last='Forup']</strong> (Sr) is the leader of this group and returns for his senior year. Not only will Lexington have Forup, but they also add an extremely athletic <strong>Brayden Fogle</strong> (Fr) who is one of the best incoming freshmen in NW Ohio. <strong>Hudson Moore</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494486' first='Elijah' last='Hudson']</strong> (Jr) bring veteran leadership and make Lexington the early favorites in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>New Philadelphia</em></strong>- The Quakers are new to the OCC but will make their presence known early on. Bringing back 3 of their top 5 means NP will be experienced and poised for some competitive matchups. The 1-2 punch of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1477079' first='Carter' last='Vandall']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1519640' first='Michael' last='Vickers']</strong> (Sr) will be very difficult to defend as both were All-District performers. <strong>Colton Slaughter</strong> (Jr) also returns and adds to the depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ashland</em></strong>- The Arrows were the best team in the conference a year ago and had one of the more deadly backcourts in NW Ohio. Part of that backcourt is gone with the graduation of Luke Denbow. Returning though is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225054' first='Grayson' last='Steury']</strong> (Sr) who impressed throughout the season and can still produce. Winning the conference again is going to be a challenge, but they can at least compete with some good teams throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>West Holmes</em></strong>- Knights will have a nice core returning although they will miss the production from 2 All-District players gone due to graduation. <strong>Zander Shultz</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Mason Wolfe</strong> (Sr) will be leaned on most for senior leadership along with two-sport athlete <strong>Kyle Maltarich</strong> (Jr). The Knights might need some time before they are fully ready as their football team could be playing through November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mansfield Madison</em></strong>- The Rams could arguably make a case to be ahead or near West Holmes since they beat the Knights once last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1477078' first='Jayden' last='Jeffries']</strong> (Sr) returns and will be one of the best players in the conference. Unfortunately, the next 2 best scorers are now gone meaning a lot of pressure with be on Jeffries. The Rams will go as far as Jeffries can take them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mount Vernon</em></strong>- Losing some key seniors from last year and could face some growing pains entering the new year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Wooster</em></strong>- Losing their top 2 guys that were All-District performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mansfield Senior</em></strong>- Tygers added <strong>Amarr Davis</strong> (Jr) from Mansfield Christian and could move up the standings with his arrival.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->