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Senior Caroline Long played a solid game for Arcanum with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 65-21 win over Preble Shawnee. (All Photos by Dale Barger)

ARCANUM – The Lady Trojans bolted out to a 25-5 first quarter, and a 44-12 first half lead as they were firing from all over against visiting Preble Shawnee.  Arcanum went on to win 65-21.

Arcanum senior and leading scorer Caroline Long often draws the attention of the opposing teams defense with her ability to score inside but the Trojans were able to take advantage of junior guard Adalyn Paul who had the hot hand in the first half dropping in 6 – triples for 18 points to help the Trojans build a big first half lead.

Paul hit her first three at 4:57 after Long, Ella Flatter and Matte Noe had lay-ups to start the game and Arcanum went up 9-0.

The Arrows finally got on the board on a short corner jumper from sophomore Jenna Dixon at 4:40. 

Preble Shawnee sophomore Jenna Dixon knocks down a corner jumper.  She had 6 points in the game for the Arrows.

Long answered with an old-fashion 3-point play, a free throw from Addie Macy then three consecutive triples, two from Paul and another from Noe, pushed the lead to 23-2.

Shawnee senior guard Abrey Unger broke the 14-point run with a triple of her own, but the Trojans added a fielder from junior Danicka Michael for a 25-5 first quarter lead.

Paul added three more trey’s and had the crowd on their feet every time she let one fly in the second period.

Senior guard Ava Apking who picked up 3 quick fouls early scored 3-points, Unger and Dixon both added field goals for the Arrows who would trail 44-12 at the break.

Senior Aubrey Unger goes hard to the basket.  She is called on handling the ball and leading the defense and gives the Arrows an athletic guard who can make plays.  

For coach Abbey Moore it was a welcome relief to have a nice lead at the half. They came into the game with a 2-3 record, some of that by design with the non-conference schedule the Trojans have had to start the year.

“It almost feels like we’ve played a full 22 game season already with the type of games you typically play towards the end of the year,” Abbey stated.

The Trojan losses came against powerhouse teams, Russia, Versailles and Fort Loramie and then big back-to-back wins against Minster and Ansonia.

“The tough schedule is getting us to the point where we are now. Obviously, we're not where we want to be, but you know, it's going to help us … and the win against Minster (who knocked arcanum from the regional tournament last year) and a tough Ansonia team in overtime, is proof of that,” Moore commented.

Abbey was happy to see Adalyn Paul provide a spark on offense in the first half.

“She was hot and I think that was huge, giving us some confidence and shows you can’t just key in on one player, if you leave her open, you're going to be in trouble,” Moore smiled.

Adalyn Paul didn't let the hair in her eyes stop her from shooting from distance.  The junior guard had 6 triples for 18 points in the game for Arcanum.

The school record for three’s in a game is 8 at Arcanum and with a running clock in the 2nd half, Paul would get a few more attempts from range each time amping up the crowd hoping to see the record fall. Paul wasn’t able to connect in the second half, but she would lead all scorers in the game with 18.

Arcanum won the third quarter 12-4 and the fourth 9-5 to record a 65-21 win and improve to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in the WOAC.

Although Preble Shawnee didn’t win Anitra Roell wasn’t upset and is positive about the game and the Arrows season so far.

“I'm not upset with how the season's going we’re sitting at 3-3 on the year now.  Last year we finished with six wins and we're halfway there now just a quarter of the way into the season,” Roell stated.

Ava Apking got into early foul trouble but when she was on the floor she gave the Arrows offense they needed with 7 points in the game for Preble Shawnee.

“Unfortunately for us, Tri-Village and Arcanum are at the top of our schedule, so hopefully the schedule gets easier as we go. The girls played somewhat better tonight in the first half than they did the second and generally we turn things around in the second half,” Roell added.

“Abbey, (coach Moore) has her team playing well defensively and my team was not fast enough tonight. Normally, we're fast, but tonight we could not keep up with the Trojan girls,” Roell explained.

“Right now, we're just trying to instill some confidence in the girls, because they don't think they can beat these teams. We tell them every day we walk in the gym that we can win because I believe in them,” Roell concluded.

Things appear to be going in the right direction for the Arrow who have a JV team this year along with a full varsity roster.  Most nights their speed, athleticism and defense will be enough to compete and as the offense gets better maybe even a few upsets.

Junior guard Matty Noe had 11 points and 8 assists for Arcanum in game with Preble Shawnee.

Arcanum will be looking to do the same with no relief in sight with their schedule with Newton on Saturday, Tri-Village on the 23rd, the Covington Holiday tournament on 29th and 30th and then at Mississinawa Valley on January 3^rd.

Box Scores:

Score by Quarters

PS … 05 … 07 … 04 … 05 – 21

AR … 25 … 19 … 12 … 09 – 65

Team Scoring:

PS: Unger 1-1-0/0 – 5, Apking 0-3-1/2 – 7, Dixon 0-3-0/0 – 6, Moore 0-1-0/0 – 2,
Mondello 0-0-1/2 – 1, Totals 1-8-2/4 – 21

AR: Paul 6-0-0/0 – 18, Leeper 0-2-0/0 – 4, Long 0-6-3/4 – 15, Noe 2-0-5/6 – 11,
Flatter 0-1-2/2 – 4, Macy 0-1-2/4 – 4, Michael 0-4-1/2 – 9, Totals 8-14-13/17 – 65


The Arcanum student section found themselves cheering every time Adalyn Paul let one fly from distance in a game with Preble Shawnee.

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20 Senior Cheerleaders were recognized during their last WOAC Cheer Championship competition. (All Photos by Dale Barger)

The WOAC Cheer Competition was held at Preble Shawnee High School on Sunday December 7th. There were 7 total events between Junior High and High School and a total of 31 team performances.

In the Middle School Junior High Game Day category 7 schools competed: Ansonia, Arcanum, National Trail, Preble Shawnee, Tri-County North, Tri-Village and Twin Valley  South, competed.

The 2nd place team was National Trail, and the Junior High Game Day Champion was Preble Shawnee pictured above.

In the High School Game Day Category 7 schools competed: Ansonia, Arcanum, National Trail, Preble Shawnee, Tri-County North, Tri-Village and Twin Valley South.


The 2nd place team was Tri-Village, and the High School Game Day Champions was Preble Shawnee pictured above.

Tri-County North was the lone team competing in Traditional Cheer and was crowned Junior High Traditional Cheer Champions.


Tri-County North Junior High was Traditional Cheer Champions.

The High School Traditional Cheer Category had 3 teams competing: Arcanum, Preble Shawnee, and Tri-Village.


The Patriots finished 2nd and Preble Shawnee was the Traditional Cheer Champions pictured above.

In the Junior High Dance Category four teams competed: Ansonia, Arcanum, Mississinawa Valley and Tri-county North. 


Ansonia finished in 2nd place and Mississinawa Valley was the JH Dance Champions pictured above.

In the High School Hip Hop Category 4 teams competed: Ansonia, Arcanum, Mississinawa Valley and Tri-County North.


Ansonia would finish in 2nd place and Mississinawa was High School Hip-Hop Champions pictured above.

In the High School Pom Category there were 5 teams competing: Ansonia, Arcanum, National Trail, Tri-Village and Twin Valley South.


Tri-Village would finish second and Arcanum was crowned High School Pom Champions pictured above.

Congratulations to all junior high and high schools teams for competing at the 2025 WOAC Cheer Championship


The Preble Shawnee High School Cheer team reacts after winning every event they competed in at the 2025 WOAC Cheer Championships.

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Five WOAC Players were named First Team All-Ohio for 2025. (Dale Barger Graphic)

Five WOAC Football Players earn All-Ohio First Team, Two second team and 12 Honorable Mention were recognized as All-Ohio.

Here is the list of Players by division as selected by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.

DV
First Team       
Brody Morton – Sr. Quarterback – Preble Shawnee

Second Team
Cooper Shrout – Sr. Offensive Line – Preble Shawnee
Caleb Blankenship – Jr. Receiver – Preble Shawnee

Honorable Mention
Marcus Rayburn – Sr. Offensive Line – Arcanum
Colton Shroeder – Sr. Punter – Preble Shawnee

DVI
First Team
Trey Sagester – Sr. Quarterback – Tri-Village
Noah Finkbine – Sr. Linebacker – Tri-Village
Griffin Richards – Jr. Receiver – Tri-Village
Dom Black – Jr. Offensive Line – Tri-Village

Honorable Mention
Hunter Johnsman – Sr. Defensive Line – Tri-Village
Landen Moore – Sr. Linebacker – Tri-Village
Luke Vernon – Sr. Offensive Line – National Trail
Staley Colston – So. Running Back – Tri-Village
Colt Camacho – So. Defensive Back – Tri-Village

DVII
Honorable Mention
Frank Filbrun – Sr. Linebacker – Tri-County North
Oden Hoening – Offensive Line – Ansonia
Jacob Schmitmeyer – Running Back – Ansonia
Lucas Barlow – Offensive Line – Twin Valley South
Luke Wright – Offensive Line – Tri-County North

Congratulations to all our WOAC players earning All-Ohio recognition.
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Bella Cherry shown with the caretaker of "Hoosier Gym" and with the game ball where she scored her 1000th career point in win over National Trail. 

KNIGHSTTOWN, IN – Tri-County North senior guard Bella Cherry scores 1000^th career point at historic “Hoosier Gym” with a 29-point performance in a 53-23 win over National Trail.

Ironically, it was just a few weeks ago when Tri-County North opened the season in the inaugural Preble County Tournament where they fell to National Trail 37-31 and the Blazers held Bella Cherry to just 10 points in that game.

So, coming into the game with Trail and needing 26 points to eclipse a 1000 points wasn’t something Tri-County North or Bella was expecting to do.

“With it being a game at Hoosier gym we knew it would be a nice crowd, especially with the boys playing after and we were pumped looking forward to the rematch with National Trail,” Tri-County North coach Jessica Odell Spitler stated.

It was a special moment for coach Jessica Spitler and her daughter Bella with the game ball presentation.

Tri-County North got things rolling early in the game and the team got off to a really good start with the offense flowing and Bella scoring eight points in the first half.

She then got hot in the third quarter exploding for 16 points and had 24 points heading into the final frame.

“We didn’t have the goal to hit 1000 at Hoosier’s gym but with that 3rd quarter outburst it was within grasp, coach Spitler said.

Bella Cherry lines up the three-pointer that put her over 1000 points in her career.

It didn’t take long with Bella dribbling to her left outside the arch using a screen set by junior center Cadence Darnell, the defender went under the screen and Bella took advantage, set her feet and let fly a three-point shot that was all net to put her over the 1000-point plateau. 

Play was stopped with Bella getting a hug from her coach-mom followed by a twirling bear hug from teammate Darnell who set the screen.

Then her team held her up before the game ball was presented to Bella. 

Bella finished her night with 29 points, a stark contrast to the 10 she had the first time they played Trail and more importantly the team reversed their fortune with the 53-23 win.

The Tri-County North Girls Basketball team prior to their game with National Trail.

“It was a great team effort, all 12 players were able to play tonight, there was great energy and excitement, and it was an awesome Friday night at Hoosiers,” coach Spitler said after the game.

Bella who already holds Tri-County North girls school records for steals and assists needs just 74 points to become the all-time leading scorer as well.

But the 29 points and 1000  career points cemented at Hoosier Gym will be hard to top and a special and lasting memory for all who were there.

Bella and her teammates make a lasting memory at Hoosier Gym celebrating a milestone moment

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It was a battle between Franklin Monroe & Twin Valley South neither team led by more than four points. The Jets would won late at free throw line 59-56. (Dale Barger photo)

PITSBURG – Franklin Monroe and Twin Valley South kicked off their boys basketball season in a WOAC match-up and both teams had lots of questions about their teams. It would be a highly competitive game giving each team some answers to those questions.  In a game that could have gone either way Franklin Monroe would make a few more winning plays late to earn a 59-56 victory.

The Jets were coming off 21-5 record, 10-1 in the WOAC and a District Championship last season and graduated five seniors from that team: EB Fall (13.5 pt), Eric Brenner (14.7 pt), Ty Riffle, Trey Wilson and Tysyn Miller taking with them almost 40 points per game.

Franklin Monroe did have a few key pieces return from that team this year starting with Seniors Lucas Brenner (7.3 pt ) Ben Denlinger (5 pt), and junior Blake Riffle (8.4 pt) and all three would play a big role in the Jets win and help take up some of the scoring needed to make up from the previous season.

On the flip side Twin Valley South would have their third coach in three years with the current girls varsity coach Kerry Crouch serving double duty coaching the boys varsity team this year.

The Panthers finished 2024-25 with a 5-18 overall record and 3-8 in the WOAC and graduated seven seniors on that team. 

Returning for South was their leading scorer junior Trent Ray (13.6 pt) and senior guard Aiden White (9.7 pt) so the Panthers also were looking to find out who will step up on the offensive side of the ball

Defensively the Panthers have plenty of size with 5 players 6’2” or taller and that length would be a concern for FM coach Troy Myers.

TV South 6'2' junior Parker Howard is one of five Panthers over 6'2" in the line-up. He scored 10 points in the game. (Dale Barger photo)

“I honestly thought coming into the game that it would be a struggle for us because of their size. They have a lot of kids who haven't played on the basketball floor in a varsity game, and neither do we. But size in high school basketball does make a difference, especially in small schools,” coach Myers stated.

That size would help Twin Valley South as they jumped on top of Franklin Monroe 12-8 in the first quarter a score that could have been higher had it not been for a number of missed lay-ups by the Panthers. 

They would get five points from Trent Ray, three from 6’2” junior forward Parker Howard and two each from Levi Ritchie and 6’3” senior forward Laiden Carver.

Franklin Monroe also missed shots in the opening frame but got a triple and two free throws from Lucas Brenner, a lay-up from Blake Riffle and a free throw from junior forward Reed Brumbaugh.

FM junior Blake Riffle returns with a bigger frame and ability to not only shoot outside but go inside as well.  He had 12 points for the Jets in win. (Dale Barger photo)

It would go back and forth in the second quarter with the Jets picking up some scoring from new faces with junior guard Braden Gilbert knocking down a triple and sophomore Grady Myers adding a fielder to go along with another four points from Brenner, three free throws from Blake Riffle and three points from Ben Denlinger to give FM a 23-22 lead at the break.

South points came on four points from Aiden White layups, two from Ray and Carver, then one point each from 6’2” junior forward Parker Howard and 6’5” junior forward Lucas Barlow.

South senior Aiden White can run the offense and also get to the rim and had two lay-ups in the second quarter. (Dale Barger photo)

In the third quarters Ray would step-up for South going for seven points and was matched by teammate Ritchie for an 18-point quarter.

Franklin Monroe kept the scoring pace with 17-points in the third period led by Blake Riffle's six points, Brenner’s five and another triple from Gilbert for a 40-40 tie heading into the final stanza.

FM jr. Braden Gilbert had three big triples & 11 points for the Jets. (Dale Barger photo)

There were a number of lead changes throughout the contest and neither team led in the game by more than four points.

Franklin Monroe took back the lead 45-44 on the third triple of the game by Gilbert at 6:18, then extended it on a free throw and a lay-up by Brenner to go up 48-44 at 5:07.

South responded with a five-point run to jump back in front 49-48 only to see Brenner connect on his second triple of the game to regain the lead 51-49 for the Jets.

Ritchie tied the game back up and then a free throw by Howard flipped the score 52-51 South.

The Jets senior Lucas Brenner made the tough buckets when the team needed it and had 23 points in the game to lead all scorers. (Dale Barger photo)

One thing was becoming clear in the game and that is whenever Franklin Monroe needed a tough bucket it was Lucas Brenner stepping forward.  The senior guard was fouled hard going to the rim and made two free throws with a minute to go for a 53-52 lead.

Brenner scored 23 points in the game to lead all scorers with nine in the 4th quarter.

South was unable to respond, fouled sophomore guard Braxtyn Cool who sank one of two free throws to go up 54-52 with 30 seconds to play.

Cool found himself back at the line with 19 seconds left, again going one for two keeping the lead at two, 55-53.

South failed to score and the Panthers fouled senior Ben Denlinger who drained the two throws to push the lead to 57-53.

TV South junior Trent Ray would be the go to guy for the Panthers when they needed a play.  he had 17 to lead his team.  (Dale Barger photo)

Trent Ray, South’s leading scorer with 17 rose up and fired in a long range three ball to close the gap to 57-56 with 8 seconds to play.

The Panthers had to foul and sent Gilbert to the line with 3 seconds to play.  He connected on both for a Jets. 

The team that was a combined 9-for-12 in the 4th period and 22 of 32 for the game.

South had one last shot from just over half-court, but it was too long and Franklin Monroe hung on 59-56 for their season opening win.

After the game Troy Myers talked about his team’s effort and ability to make plays down the stretch as keys to the win.

“I told the guys if we didn't win the rebounding war, we weren't in the game. And down the stretch, we had some monumental rebounds. We had one by our smallest kid on the floor on the defensive end, and then we had an extra effort play down here by Denlinger on the free throw. Both got us a possession, and I thought our guys really locked in and understood the assignment on the glass, and we had some gutsy efforts there at the end,” Myers would say.

Franklin Monroe senior Ben Denlinger was one of the players praised by Myers who made big plays at the end of the game. (Dale Barger photo)

“I didn’t thing we would score 59 points on opening night. I thought we would struggle to score, and we did at times. The first half was pretty ugly, but we shot a lot of free throws, got to the rim, put pressure on the rim, and gave ourselves a chance to shoot a lot of free throws. So, I'm really proud of the guys' effort and in the second half understanding what it was going to take to win and come up with a few stops that we had to have,” Myers added.

On the other side Twin Valley South coach Kerry Crouch was pleased with his team’s effort as well and knows they were just play or two away from getting a win.

“I think we shot 43% from the field, and we probably missed 10 easy bunnies, right? So, if we make a few of those baskets. It's a different ball game,” Crouch stated.

Crouch, much like Myers is trying to feel out where he is as a team and trying not to complicate things too much initially and knows they have things to work on.

“Starting off in the beginning of the year we’re talking about just playing basketball and not worrying about running a lot of sets, we want the kids go out there and not think about too many things and just play basketball,” Crouch explained.

“We’ve got kids out there that have some experience, other who haven’t played in a while and some new with little experience.  So, I feel like we're at different tiers, but I like what we have, and our length is going to help us,” Crouch added.

Junior Guard Levi Ritchie had a good game of South and glides to the rim for a bucket. He had 14 points for the Panthers. (Dale Barger photo)

“I think people will have to take notice that we're a pretty good basketball team. We'll go back to practice on Sunday and obviously work on defense, help side defense, playing without following, which I yelled the whole game.  We had a lot of kids in foul trouble and had to go deeper in the bench. But I think those kids stepped up. I believe we’re just a steppingstone away from figuring it out,” Crouch concluded.

South was led by Trent Ray with 17 points, Levi Rithchie 14 and Parker Howard 10. They will back in action on Monday traveling to Middletown Christian.

Franklin Monroe was led by Lucas Brenner with 23 points, Blake Riffle had 12, and Braden Gilbert with 11.  The Jets are back in action at Calvary Christian Saturday.

Box Scores

Score by Quarters
TVS … 12 … 10 … 18 … 16 – 56
FM …. 08 … 15 … 17 … 19 – 59

Team Scoring

Twin Valley South – (0-1, 0-1 WOAC)
P. Howard 0-3-4/8 - 10, A. White 0-2-0/0 - 4, L Ritchie 2-3-2/2 – 14, L. Carter 0-3-0/0 - 6,          L. Barlow 0-2-1/2 - 5, T. Ray 1-6-2/4 – 17, Totals 3-19-9/16 – 56

Franklin Monroe – (1-0, 1-0 WOAC)
L.Brenner 2-5-7/10 -23, B. Cool 0-0-2/4 -2, R. Brumbaugh 0-1-1/2 -3, B. Gilbert 0-3-2/2-11, B Riffle 0-3-6/8 -12, B. Denlinger 0-1-4/6 -6, G Myers 0-1-0/0 -2, Totals 5-11-22/32 -59


Franklin Monroe was able to defend their home court and open the season with a big 59-56 win over Twin Valley South. (Dale Barger photo)
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