MANSFIELD — The Richland 25 is just one week away from the Top 10.
The summer project dedicated to previewing the Top 25 teams returning to Richland County in 2024-25 just passed the midway point and the teams are getting better and better each week.
Let's meet Nos. 12 and 13.
12. Crestview Boys Basketball
The Crestview Cougars are in the middle of the program's golden era and it should continue into 2024-25.
In the last two seasons, the Cougars won the Firelands Conference championship, sharing the title last year with St. Paul. Their record is a combined 43-5 overall and 27-1 in the FC. They have back-to-back 20-win seasons, capped by the program-record 22 set this past winter.
They averaged 70 points per game (fourth most in program history) and only allowed 48 points per game (third lowest ever).
But, the Cougars have graduated five seniors, including three starters in two-time All-Ohioan Jarek Ringler, sharpshooter Sam Wells and 6-foot-5 Dylan Bruner. Sixth man Grayson Burgess is also gone.
But, they bring back their best player in Justice Thompson who will be the best player on the court on any given night. He also is a two-time All-Ohioan, the reigning Firelands Conference Player of the Year and News Journal Small School Player of the Year. He averaged 23 points, four rebounds and three assists during a special junior year that nabbed him first team All-Ohio, Northwest District, District 6 and Firelands Conference honors.
He is going to have a solid supporting cast, too. Senior Tyson Ringler stepped into a starting role last year after Malachi Spoerr was lost for the season and excelled. He earned honorable mention honors in the Northwest District, District 6 and FC after averaging eight points and seven rebounds. Now that he will be the second option, he should have a massive season.
Karter Goon and Daniel Wells will return for their junior years and are both expected to play major minutes. Goon came on strong at the end of last season and will fill in nicely. Max Durbin grew a lot as a player last year and could make some noise in 2024-25.
The Cougars are here to stay.
13. Clear Fork Softball
The Colts were the surprise of 2024, sharing the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship with Shelby. They went 17-8 and finished as the Division II district runners-up while playing five freshmen on a regular basis.
They will miss Renee Anders, Andrea Swainhart and Macy Ousley, who showed a ton of leadership, but they bring back their top two hitters and a ton of experience for the 2025 season.
Senior Mel Blubaugh will be the key returner after hitting .512 with 43 hits, 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 25 RBIs and 44 runs scored. Somehow, someway, that wasn't good enough for All-Ohio honors. Mind-boggling.
Katrina Rogers did suffer an ACL injury this summer, but should be recovered in time for her senior softball season. She hit .386 with 32 hits, two doubles, eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
The group of sophomores coming back – Mya Perry, Addison Schlosser, Jada Brokaw, Miley Shafer and Hailly Thrush – all played huge innings for the Colts. Shafter brought stability to the pitcher position that the Colts have been missing for a couple of years. She went 8-3 with a 3.33 earned run average and 70 strikeouts and she is only going to get stronger and better the next three seasons.
The Colts will go into 2025 with a new coach after MOAC Coach of the Year Chris Clapper stepped down to follow his daughter, who is an incoming freshman at Madison. That person will inherit a team loaded with young talent and two of the best incoming seniors in Richland County.
On the Cusp
Shelby softball
The Shelby Whippets won their first softball league championship since 2012 last season after going 19-7. One would think they deserve a spot in the Top 25, and they probably do.
But they have a lot to replace including a shortstop that hit .549 with 50 hits, seven home runs, 50 RBIs and 34 runs scored in Mallary Gundrum. They have to replace a catcher who caught all but one inning last year while hitting .468 in Kendal Parsons. Starting pitcher Lexi Booker also graduated after throwing 109 of 159 innings. Maggie Bogner, who did whatever her team asked of her, and her leadership are also gone.
But there is a lot to like about the 2025 Whippets. Kennedy Studer hit .431 last year and Natalie Kennard evolved into one of the best center fielders in Richland County after hitting .421. Karlie Walp emerged as one of the best young players around and Braylee Sturts had a huge freshman season. Trinity Baker and Kendra Walp will both return to form from injuries that kept them out for most of the 2024 season. So, there is plenty to be excited about with the Whippets.
Shelby Boys Basketball
It is hard to believe a team that made it to the state final four and won the program's first regional championship is on the outside looking in on the Top 25. But the Whippets saw some historic players graduate.
Division II Player of the Year Alex Bruskotter, Ashland University basketball commit Casey Lantz, AU football commit Issaiah Ramsey and one of the most unselfish, all-around players Bryson Baker are all moving on. The Whippets also lose sixth man Tanner Hartz.
The lone starter returning is junior guard Brayden DeVito, which is enough to get any basketball fan excited about watching the Whippets in 2024-25. DeVito averaged 9.5 points and shot 41.7% from three last year. He also returns with Karsen Homan, who averaged 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds but with instant energy and effort off of the bench. He will be a key option in 2024-25.
There are some younger guys coming up who have a shot to make an impact. Anderson Brubaker is a player to really like. Conner Hartz could be the point guard of the future, Michael Shephard had a great freshman season and has the size and strength to make the transition to varsity rather easily.
Some say the Whippets will be down, but they shouldn't be counted out in 2024-25.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 25: Crestview boys hoops, Clear Fork softball come in at Nos. 12 and 13
Most Popular
Comments / 0