Greenville Trojans
Boys
Coach (season, record): Mark Batt (2nd season, 8-14)
2008-09 overall record: 8-14
2008-09 region record (place): 4-8 (fourth)
Top players lost: Rich Herron (7.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Tyler Blaschak (first-team all-region, 15.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Alex Betz
Top returning players: G Garrett Blaschak 5-9, jr. (4.3 ppg), G Nate Houpt 6-1, sr. (8.4 ppg, 3 rpg), G Cody Marshall 5-9, sr. (6.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 3.2 apg), F Nico Zahniser 6-2, sp. (4.5 ppg), F Jordan Batt 6-1 sr. (15 ppg, second-team all-region as sophomore before injury)
Top new players: G Ken Surano 5-9, jr., F Kevin Benson 6-5 jr.
Assistant coaches: Todd Nehlen, Casey McMillen
Key games: Jan. 29 vs. Sharpsville, Feb. 2 vs. Reynolds, Feb. 16 at Sharpsville, Feb. 19 at Reynolds
Outlook: After a tough season last year, the Trojans have plenty to look forward to this season. Greenville has several terrific scorers returning, including Jordan Batt. Batt missed his junior season after tearing his ACL. Batt averaged 15 points per game as a sophomore and was voted to the all-region second-team. Batt is joined by Nate Houpt, Garrett Blaschak, Cody Marshall and Nico Zahniser. With Wilmington and Reynolds losing their top scorers to graduation, Region 2 is up for grabs this season. Coach Mark Batt is hoping that if the Trojans can stay healthy, they will be able to compete based on their man-to-man defense, their work ethic to play hard and their excellent conditioning. Greenville will be tested right away as the Trojans played seven of their first eight games on the road, including a trip to Cambridge Springs for the Blue Devil’s opening tournament and games at Rocky Grove and Hickory. If the Trojans develop team character during that opening stretch on the road, they could be a formidable team in region play.
Girls
Coach (season, record): Scott Taylor (4th season, 33-38)
2008-09 overall record: 19-8
2008-09 region record (place): 9-3 (second)
Top players lost: Larae Tymochko (first-team all-region), Bradi Hoffman, Kristen Ammons
Top returning players: Hannah Horne sr., Cammi Rodgers sr., Brooklyn Taylor so. (second-team all-region), Olivia Paxson, so.
Top new players: Emily Paxson so., Jessica Burnett fr.
Assistant coaches: Karl Rupert, Kristen Skelly
Key games: Dec. 11-12 at Sharon tournament, Jan. 21 vs. Reynolds, Feb. 20 at Reynolds
Outlook: Greenville will take a hit this season with graduation of Larae Tymochko. Tymochko is Greenville’s all-time scorer for boys or girls and was a leader on the team. However, the Trojans made it to the second round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs last season with more than just Tymochko. Hannah Horne and Cammi Rodgers provide senior leadership, while Brooklyn Taylor is a star in the making. Twins Olivia and Emily Paxson provide a boost for a Trojan team that could be competing for the region title right away. Coach Scott Taylor knows there are plenty of unknowns heading into the season, but is hoping Greenville develops chemistry quickly. One of the top girls tournaments on opening weekend will be at Sharon, where the Trojans could get to see Sharon and upstart Farrell. Greenville has a friendly schedule in the sense that the longest road trip of the season is only four games.
Friday: Grove City
– Tom Reisenweber
