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Bellbrook (16-8, 7-1; Southwestern Champion)
The Southwestern championship runs through Bellbrook, where the Eagles are looking to win their fifth title in a row and 16th in 22 years. Bellbrook is 43-3 in SWBL games the last four years. Head coach Jason Tincher (369-119 in 20 years) returns a solid nucleus including senior F Jordan Frantz (All-Ohio), senior F Izzy Painter, senior G Eva Koesters (All-SWBL), junior P Emmie Sears, junior G Zoe Howard, junior F Ainsely Gregory and sophomore F Lauren Fabrick. Frantz, a Wright State soccer recruit, led the team in rebounding (6.7) last year and was second in scoring (8.7), assists (2.9) and blocks. Faberick averaged 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds as a freshman. Blending experience with some solid underclassmen is Bellbrook’s recipe for success. Look for freshman G Libby Bunsold to make an immediate impact. The Eagles must replace four-year starters Taylor Scohy and Alayna Meyer. The schedule did not get any easier, as the Eagles will play Fort Loramie, Mount Notre Dame, Versailles, Beavercreek, Wayne, Tri-Village and Kings in the non-conference. “We’re looking to reload and will continue to have high expectations for success,” Tincher said. “This team provides a lot of balance both offensively and defensively and so far has shown leadership from its seniors, a lot of team speed and quickness and a solid basketball IQ.” The Eagles drop down from Division I to D-III with the new OHSAA alignments.
 
Brookville (9-15, 4-8; T-5th in Buckeye)
The Blue Devils enter Year 2 under head coach Josh Kummer looking to continue to establish their defensive foundation, while also focusing on enhancing ball control and shooting efficiency. Key returners include seniors Hunter Gardner (G), Jordyn Oliver (F) and Grace Taylor (G) and sophomores Ellie Dafler (F) and Megan Luebke (F). Freshman Jolie Gudorf is one to watch. Summer training camps at Urbana, Eaton, Valley View and Transylvania University have laid the groundwork for better team cohesion, blending the talents of freshmen and seniors alike. The schedule, which now includes crossover games with all SWBL teams and out-of-conference games with Butler, Ansonia, and Tri County North, will further push the team to sharpen its skills. Said Kummer: “With a commitment to cutting down on turnovers and improving shooting, the Blue Devils are poised for a season of growth and competitiveness.”
 
Carlisle (10-13, 4-8; T-5th in Buckeye)
Head coach Tony Phillips (7th year at CHS) is excited about the upcoming season. “I think we will be a fun team to watch,” Phillips said. “We are a very athletic team on the perimeter and have size inside. We have a great mixture of experienced and youthful players. I think we will have a fun, competitive year.” Key returners include senior F Mackenzy Shackelford (4.3 points and five rebounds), senior G Justine Bowlin, senior C Britany Fleenor, sophomore G Brynn Gill (7.3 points) and sophomore C MaKenna Bicknell.
 
Eaton (1-22, 1-11; 7th in the Buckeye)
Nowhere to go but up for the Eagles. “We are looking to rebound from a rough season,” head coach Dave Honhart (110-132 in 11 years at eEHS) said. “Our players work hard and are looking to get the program back to being in contention for double-digit wins and playoff contention.” Key contributors will be senior F Caroline Miller, senior G Charlee Ruebush, junior G Emilee Hargis and sophomore G Autumn Gillenwater.
 
Edgewood (11-12, 4-4; 3rd in Southwestern)
First-year head coach John Cecere takes over at EHS where the Cougars graduated four seniors and three of their top four scorers. Senior G Evelyn Henson (6.4 points) was the team’s third leading scorer last year, while senior G Kamdyn Buck added 4.8 points. Junior forwards Ella Allen and Madisyn Verhoff will contribute heavily. “The girls have been great to work with,” Cecere said. “They show up with a great attitude and work hard to get better everyday. Looking forward to watching the team develop this season.”
 
Franklin (9-15, 0-8; 5th in Southwestern)
The Wildcats and head coach Matt Abshear are looking to improve on last year’s record. A top three finish in the Southwestern Division is the goal. Key returners include junior W Olivia Truesdell (nine points per game), junior G Cam Parker, sophomore G Ellie Whaley and sophomore G Laila Black.
 
Madison (18-7, 8-4; T-Buckeye Runner-Up)
Tommy McGuire takes over as head coach after spending 12 years as an assistant. His team is short on varsity experience. Key returners include senior PG Malerie Bobbitt, junior F Liv Carpenter and sophomore G Ally Crim. Crim (4.2 points) was honorable mention all-league last year. “With a young team, we are focusing on our process and improvement every day,” McGuire said. “We want to get back to competing at the high level that our program has been competing at for the last 20 years.”
 
Monroe (11-12, 3-5; 4th in Southwestern)
Head coach Justin Clemmons returns for Year 2 at MHS intent on continuing to grow the roster. The Hornets have 21 girls in the program. Monroe also drops from Division I to D-III for postseason play. “We should be able to be 8-9 deep at the varsity level, which helps in terms of having a chance to compete within our league,” Clemmons said. “We will look to continue to take a positive step forward in terms of our competitiveness and ability to compete within our league.” Key Returners include juniors Maya Martinez (G), Emma Adolph (F), Ryan Buskirk (F) and Jordan McComas (F).  Sophomore F Ellie Buskirk will contribute heavily.  
 
Oakwood (12-11, 8-4; T-Buckeye Runner-Up)
Expectations are high at Oakwood where the Jills return three double-digit scorers and four All-SWBL players. “We hope to show improvement over last season with most of the team returning along with some younger players that should have a positive impact,” head coach Rich Bagienski, who returns for his fourth year at OHS (43-28) and 25th year overall (283-357), said. “The experience gained by a young team should prove to be beneficial entering an always tough SWBL conference schedule.” Senior Ashley Bowden (12.2 ppg) and juniors Caroline Roelle (12 points), Evelyn Connor (11.6 points), Riley Morrissey (2.6 points) and Emma Grant (4.4 points) headline the roster. Bowden was first team All-SWBL last season, while Connor and Roelle were second team. Morrissey was honorable mention.
 
Ross (17-7, 6-2; Southwestern Runner-Up)
Head coach Ben Buehner is looking to reach .500 heading into his sixth season with the Rams (54-64 at RHS and 156-130 in 15 years overall). Expectations are high. Ross returns two first team all-league players in senior G Lanie Lipps (All-Ohio) and junior F Carmen Bosse. Lipps (16.8 points per game last year) set the school’s career record for 3-pointers made last year and is closing in on 1,000 career points. Bosse averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds. Other key contributors will be senior G Caroline Chernock and junior F Mya Montgomery. “We are looking to continue the growth we have made the last few years as a program,” Buehner said. “We expect to prepare and play hard every game.”
 
Valley View (8-15, 5-7; 4th in Buckeye)
Head coach Steve Dickson starts Year 23 at VVHS with a career record of 319-183 in 26 total years. Key returners for the Spartans are senior G Rivers Lemke (All-SWBL), senior G Reese Riley, junior F Kaylee Sargent, junior C Avi Stevens, sophomore G Ava Gerhron and sophomore G Scarlett Holp.
 
Waynesville (24-1, 12-0; Buckeye Champion)
Head coach Tim Gabbard is back for a staggering 46th season at WHS (career record of 672-354). The Spartans return four of their top five scorers, including junior G Katie Berrey (two-time first team All-SWBL), junior G Maggie Stephenson (first team All-SWBL), senior P Tori See (first team All-SWBL) and senior W Avery Whitaker (second team All-SWBL). Berrey has committed to Cedarville University, while Whitaker is committed to West Virginia State. See is committed to Heidelberg.

The Southwestern Buckeye League is proud to continue the SWBL Athlete of the Week program for the 2024-25 school year. The SWBL AOW is sponsored by Gameday Grille & Patio. This is Year 2 for the AOW campaign. Each Tuesday during the school year, a male and female scholar-athlete will be selected Athletes of the Week and announced on site. Winners will receive an award patch for their varsity jacket, a $25 gift card to Gameday and an SWBL AOW T-Shirt. An athlete may win the award once per season. Nominations will come from athletic directors, coaches and data (stats, results) entered on the SWBL website. Individuals may also submit nominations to swblsid@yahoo.com.

Boys: Aden Metcalf, Brookville Soccer

Senior earned D-IV All-Ohio honors this season after finishing third in the SWBL in points (66) and goals (26). Three-time All-SWBL selection (two-time first team) caps career with 133 points (55 goals and 23 assists). Has committed to Bluffton.

Girls: Caroline Chernock, Ross Soccer

Senior played a large part in the Rams run to the D-III regional semifinals. Twice named first team All-SWBL and recognized as a D-III All-Ohioan this season. Finished her career with 106 points, including 44 (17 goals and 10 assists) this season, which ranked 8^th in the SWBL.

Edgewood
Head coach Tim Pressler takes over duties for both the boys and girls at EHS. The girls squad – led by sophomore Cali Taulbee and junior Breanna Colfax –  will be young but has “lots of talent,” according to Pressler. The boys squad features three seniors, including Trent Stewart and Brandon Williams. Pressler believes the team “can be very competitive in the SWBL this year.”
 
Franklin
The Wildcats will lean on seniors Andrew Sanders and Caden Dill and junior Fred Baker. “We have several bowlers returning with past experience on the lanes,” head coach Jason Harris (seventh year) said. “The goal is to continue to grow Franklin bowling back to competing at the district level.”
 
Monroe
The Hornets boys team finished the regular season a perfect 20-0 last season and head coach David Rolph (15 years at MHS) expects another good run despite some graduation losses. “We are young, but we have the motivation to play at a high level,” Rolph said. Senior Cory Williams and sophomores Eli Putnam and Anderson Sargent headline the roster. According to head coach Candace Holmes (third year at MHS), the girls team will be young but possess lots of potential. Juniors Aryanna Horner and Ameerah Waruir will lead the charge.
 
Ross
Head coach Ed Roberts (14 years at RHS) has a talented mix of returners and newcomers on both the boys and girls squads led by seniors Daniel Schneberger and Ashley Farris, junior Blake Steward and freshman Molly Garrow. Said Roberts: “We should surprise several teams.” Reaching the state tournament is a goal.
 
Valley View
Head coach Adam Albright (seventh year) leads the VVHS girls program, which will follow the motto “We are here to have fun, learn, and be competitive.” Expect a big season. According to Albright several school records should be in reach, including most wins, most strikes in a year by a team and individual and best individual score in a match. A trio of juniors spearheads the roster – Kaydence Kinney, Morrigan Horner and Kim Braden. Head coach Mike Burns (fifth year) is back to lead the Spartans boys’ team, which will feature juniors Chris Ryczek and Noah Handy and sophomore Brooks Hopkins. “The bowling team is looking forward to another solid season with a strong group of returning players and an eager group of younger players joining the squad,” Burns said. “Our goal this season is to build upon our current strengths and consistently improve each week both individually and as a team.”

The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association (OPSMA) announced its annual All-Southwest District football teams on Thursday. The teams are selected by a media panel from the district and are a precursor to the All-Ohio teams. The SWBL was well represented. Individually, Waynesville's Alex Amburgy was named the Division V Offensive Player of the Year. He was the lone SWBL athlete to earn POY honors in any division. Click here for the complete teams.

Nov. 13 was Signing Day for high school seniors signing with NCAA Division I and II schools for all sports except football. Football will sign on Dec. 4. The SWBL has several student-athletes moving on to the next level. Click here for the SWBL Class of 2025 recruits.