RUSSIA
PIQUA DAILY CALL • WWW.DAILYCALL.COM
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
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Russia boys return talented group Francis will be multi-dimensional player BY TONY ARNOLD Civitas Media
LUKE GRONNEBERG/CIVITAS FILE PHOTO
Ashley Brochers chases the ball against Troy Christian.
Lady Raiders hope for memorable year Russia coach expects big things BY TONY ARNOLD Civitas Media RUSSIA — Allan King enters his third year as the varsity girls coach at Russia and this year promises to be a memorable one. The Raiders have experience by the buckets — as they were crowned the Division IV District champions a season ago with no seniors on the roster. Last year marked the first district title in 11 years for the Russia girls. “We expect to continue to build the foundation of a successful program, something these seniors were charged with as sophomores when I came to Russia,” King said. “Our effort and attention to detail will determine our success in doing so. “The keys for us taking the next step will be to improve in three main areas, rebounding, turnover margin, and scoring.” Russia fills the roster with a formidable bunch. Senior post player Shana Meyer is a twoyear starter who averaged 6.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and an impressive 1.3 blocked shots a season ago. Senior guard Ashley Borchers tossed in 6.0 a game, grabbed 4.6 boards, and swatted 1.4 shots, and recorded 1.9 steals a season ago. “Shana and Ashley are a pair of seniors with the ability to score, rebound, and play defense,” King said. “Shana and Ashley are solid leaders. They do the work in the offseason, they come and practice hard every day and they always show up on game day. “They do most of their leading by example, which is the best kind.” A big lift this season will be the return of senior Bethany York — a powerful post player and excellent defender for the Raiders. After missing all of last season due to injury York returns this season. A couple seasons ago as a sophomore — York was an All-District performer while leading the Raiders in points, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. “It will be interesting to see how Bethany fits into this group,” King said. “The last time she played two years ago we were a completely different team. “She only really had the opportunity to play about a week with this group
2012-2013 RUSSIA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date H/A Opponent Time Nov. 23 H Sidney 7:30 Nov. 24 H Mississinawa Valley 7:00 Nov. 27 A Botkins* 7:30 H Jackson Center* 2:30 Dec. 1 A Anna* 7:30 Dec. 6 H Marion Local 2:30 Dec. 8 Fort Loramie* 7:30 Dec. 13 H Fairlawn* 2:30 Dec. 15 A Dec. 20 H Houston* 7:30 Dec. 22 A New Knoxville 2:30 Dec. 27 A WPTW Holiday Classic TBA Dec. 28 A WPTW Holiday Classic TBA Jan. 8 A Jackson Center* 7:30 Jan. 12 A Minster 2:30 Jan. 17 A Fort Loramie* 7:30 Jan. 19 A Versailles 2:30 Jan. 21 H Botkins* 7:30 Jan. 24 H Fairlawn* 7:30 Jan. 28 A Covington 7:00 Jan. 31 A Houston* 7:30 Feb. 2 H Franklin Monroe 2:30 Feb. 5 H Anna* 7:30 * denotes SCL game last year, and it was so early on it is hard to tell how things will shake out. “She has yet to practice with this group and I am really anxious to see how her athleticism and abilities mesh with those on the court. I think it opens up options for us all over the court and I plan on doing some things to highlight her abilities.” Also returning for the Raiders is junior Camille Puthoff who serves as a steady point guard for Russia. Puthoff was a second team All-SCL performer last season averaging 8.0 points, 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 4.0 rebounds a game. “Camille has been our starting point guard since a few games into her freshmen year,” King said. “In our system we ask a lot of her. We give her no help against pressure and just expect her to make plays. “She has grown so much in her first two years and I see her growing even more this season. “She has the ability to be one of the best point guards in our area. I think this year you will really see her come into her own making plays for others as well as herself. I think she is a player to watch this season.” Last year’s leading scorer is also back for the Blue and Gold. Sophomore Kylie Wilson was a source of consis-
tency last season, starting every-game and producing some glossy numbers. Wilson tallied an average of eleven points and seven rebounds a game. “Kylie jumped out to a great start last year and by six to seven games into our season everyone keyed on her inside,” King said. “She saw double teams, denials, etc. from that point on. It slowed her scoring down some but I think it really helped her learn the game as a whole and she will be better off for it. “She will have a target on her back in every game for the next 3 years, but I feel like she is used to it at this point and has learned how to have success in spite of it.” Sophomore Taylor Daniel saw varsity action in every game a season ago and averaged 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a pair of assists last year. King points to a Claire Sherman and Claudia Monnin as a couple of players who played key roles coming off the bench a season ago as being players pushing for playing time. “It is great to have a large group returning because you feel like you have a jumping off point for the season,” King said. “However I’ve learned in the past that each year is independent of the past and even if you have the same players that dynamics on a team change from year to year.”
RUSSIA — Raider head coach Paul Bremigan lost six seniors from last year’s team that finished 14-9 and advanced to the Division IV district final. However, Russia returns plenty of solid performers including three letter-winners and a deep roster of players competing for minutes at the varsity level. Leading the way among the returning players is Treg Francis, a second team all county performer a season ago. Francis tallied 13.1 a game while canning 38 triples in the regular season. “Treg will have to be multi-dimensional for us this year,” Bremigan said. “We know that he will be the focal point of opponents defenses and he realizes that he will have to help us in all parts of the game and be a leader for us. Treg’s ability to lead by example will be important to us this year.” Trevor Sherman returns for the Raiders after running the offense a season ago at the point guard position. “He will be used in that spot again this year but will also be playing on the p e r i m e t e r,” B r e m i g a n said. “We are looking for Trevor to continue to be a good defender and a leader on the floor. The experience he gained last year will help us tremendously.” Bryce Dues returns for the Raiders as an athletic player with plenty of capabilities. Dues, is a versatile threat for the Raiders with the ability to play strong in the paint but also flexible enough to roam the perimeter for the Blue and Gold. “Bryce is an athletic kid with exceptional jumping ability and has good court sense,” Bremigan said. “He is able to guard the perimeter as well as the post. His post presence is important to us this year.” The Raiders should feature plenty of depth and a number of players competing for minutes on the varsity team. Senior Austin Gariety is a player Bremigan describes as a good shooter who had a good summer before his final year. “He’s a hard worker that wants to make the most of his senior season. We are hoping he can help us on the boards and also on defense,” said Bremigan of Gariety. The Raider roster includes four juniors who could be critical to the success of the Raiders. Isaiah Counts had elbow surgery in July and his status still remains unsure. “Isaiah is a good aggressive defender who plays hard,” Bremigan said. “We are hoping he gets to play this year. His aggressive style would really help us.” Classmate Chase Hammonds has shown a demonstrated capability to shoot from outside for the Raiders. “Chase is a good shooter and aggressive defender. His shooting can help us when we see zone from opponents,” said Bremigan. Additionally, the Raiders are looking to lean on Kyle Poling — particularly when it comes to post play and battling for boards. “Kyle is a very good rebounder who is also physical. With our lack of size
MIKE ULLERY/CALL FILE PHOTO
Treg Francis returns for the Russia boys.
2012-2013 RUSSIA BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date H/A Opponent Time Dec. 1 H St. Henry 8:00 Dec. 4 A Botkins* 7:30 Dec. 7 H Jackson Center* 8:00 Dec. 8 A Minster 8:00 Dec. 11 A Anna* 7:30 Dec. 14 H Fort Loramie* 8:00 Dec. 18 H Houston* 7:30 Dec. 21 A Fairlawn* 8:00 Dec. 27 A WPTW Holiday Classic TBA Dec. 28 A WPTW Holiday Classic 8:00 Jan. 5 H Ansonia 8:00 Jan. 11 H Botkins* 8:00 Jan. 12 A Catholic Central 7:30 Jan. 18 A Jackson Center* 8:00 Jan. 19 A New Bremen 8:00 Jan. 22 H Anna* 7:30 Jan. 25 A Fort Loramie* 8:00 Jan. 26 A Versailles 8:00 Feb. 1 H Fairlawn* 8:00 Feb. 8 A Houston* 8:00 Feb. 12 H Newton 7:30 Feb. 16 H Marion Local 7:30 * denotes SCL game this year, he could definitely help us,” said Bremigan. Austin Tebbe is a player who plays with plenty of energy and has the ability to play a either the wing or post position for the Raiders. “He makes a lot of hustle plays that make a difference in a game. He is a tough kid who plays with a lot of heart,” said Bremigan. Nolan Francis and Adam Hoying are a pair of sophomore players on the varsity roster this year. Francis has proven to be a capable ball handler while Hoying provides versatility. “Nolan is a good ball handler who gets to the basket quickly,” Bremigan said. “He is also a good shooter which is a good inside out combination for us. He will play point or wing for us this year.
“Adam is a smart player who can play inside or out. He will play post for us this year and has really improved from last year. “He is a good defender with the ability to guard posts and wings.” Despite losing six players to graduation – an upand-coming roster provides Russia with depth again this year. “I usually like to play a lot of players. This will create a great atmosphere for improvement. We don’t have much size but will be able to use our quickness and athleticism at both ends of the floor. Our posts are athletic kids. A lot depends on how well we rebound and defend. I think the Shelby County League will be improved this year and very competitive with Jackson Center being the favorite,” concluded Bremigan.