West Middlesex Big Reds
Boys
Coach (season, record): Chad Mild (14th season, 211-126)
2011-12 overall record: 22-5
2011-12 region record (place): 10-0 (champion)
2011-12 playoff results: Defeated VisionQuest 74-68 in overtime and Kennedy Catholic 41-38 in overtime to win the District 10 Class A championship. West Middlesex then defeated North Catholic 61-50 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs and Johnsonburg 50-45 in two overtimes in the second round. West Middlesex then lost to Lincoln Park 47-45 in the quarterfinals.
Top player lost: Dustyn David
Top returning players: Matt Dogan, Jeremy Jancso, Roman Klaric, Jerrod Palmer, Trey Staunch, Mike Ginther
Assistant coaches: Gregg Dogan, Scott Slovesko
Outlook: West Middlesex will face new challenges this season with a move to Class AA. Despite the bigger class, the Big Reds look like an instant favorite with nearly everyone back this season. West Middlesex was loaded last year and won the District 10 Class A championship. The Big Reds will have to replace Dustyn David but everyone else returns for the Big Reds. Matthew Dogan, a Gannon recruit that has already scored 1,000 points, is back along with fellow all-region first-team selection Trey Staunch. Jeremy Jancso is also back after being voted to the all-region second team. Roman Klaric, Jerrod Palmer and Mike Ginther are also back for Middlesex. The Big Reds move into Region 2 this season and will get a tune-up for the postseason. Erie County has dominated Class AA for a long time and Middlesex has the chance to change that trend. With an experienced team back, it won’t take much for the Big Reds to contend and likely win the D-10 Class AA championship. Beyond that, Middlesex could be a dangerous team in the PIAA playoffs.
Schedule
December
7-8 New Castle tournament
15 at Poland (Ohio) TBA
18 Kennedy Catholic 7:30
21 Sharpsville* 7:30
28-29 Farrell tournament
January
3 Mercer* 7:30
8 at Lakeview* 7:30
11 Greenville* 7:30
12 at Hubbard (Ohio) 7:30
15 Reynolds* 7:30
18 at Wilmington* 7:30
20 at LaBrae (Ohio) 8
22 at Sharpsville* 7:30
25 at Rocky Grove 7:30
29 at Mercer* 7:30
February
1 Beaver 7:30
5 Lakeview* 7:30
8 at Greenville* 7:30
12 at Reynolds* 7:30
15 Wilmington* 7:30
*Region 2 games
Girls
Coach (season, record): Jody Anthony (6th season, 39-89)
2011-12 overall record: 11-10
2011-12 region record (place): 4-6 (fourth)
2011-12 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class A playoffs.
Top players lost: None
Top returning players: Molly Stitt, Kelsey Murray, Alexis Summers, Alyson Pierce
Assistant coaches: Toddy Anthony, Kim Krueger
Outlook: West Middlesex started seeing some success with a young team last year and is hoping to carry that over to this season. The Big Reds didn’t lose anyone to graduation and have an experience team back. Molly Stitt, a senior point guard, is back after being voted to the all-region first team last year along with fellow starters Kelsey Murray, Alexis Summers and Alyson Pierce. Murray and Summers are returning seniors, while Pierce is an emerging sophomore. With all of the experience back, Middlesex could be bolstered by new players in freshmen Morgan Atterholt, Logan Nitsche and Kristen White. The Big Reds will be an interesting team this season. They have experience but will have to deal with traditional powers in Class AA with a move up one class. Middlesex could be a surprise team in Region 2 and might be in line for a trip to the postseason.
Schedule
December
7-8 West Middlesex tournament
12 at Commodore Perry 7:30
15 Rocky Grove 2:30
17 at Farrell 7:30
21 at Sharpsville* 7:30
27-28 Conneaut tournament
January
4 Mercer* 7:30
8 at Greenville* 7:30
10 at Jamestown 7:30
12 at Hubbard (Ohio) 7:30
14 at Lakeview* 7:30
17 at Wilmington* 7:30
21 Sharon* 7:30
24 Sharpsville* 7:30
28 at Mercer* 7:30
31 Greenville* 7:30
February
2 Brookfield (Ohio) 7:30
7 Lakeview* 7:30
11 Wilmington* 7:30
14 at Sharon* 7:30
*Region 2 games
Sunday: Wilmington, Youngsville
–Tom Reisenweber
