(Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

MT. ZION — It’s a case of starting anew of sorts for the Calhoun County winter sports programs.

Longtime youth and middle school coach Brian Ritchie has returned to the matroom for his second stint as the head wrestling coach while Red Devils’ girls basketball head man Kevin Boak has moved to the sideline for the boys with his assistant Katie Jones taking over the head chair for the girls.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Jones, a former standout athlete for the Red Devils who graduated in 2019 and was a first team all-stater in softball, has a roster of a baker’s dozen to work with led by seniors Faith McClain and Tiara Rogers, who will be the key cogs in the frontcourt.

Sophomores Whitney Rogers and Josie Richards as well as junior Laney Arnold will take care of most of the ball-handling duties.

“I didn’t want the girls to go without a coach,” admitted Jones of taking the job. “It’s going pretty decent. We are a young team.

“They are pretty experienced. I’ve had almost all of these girls but one in middle school.”

First-year senior Jo Ferguson, junior Amera Hosey along with sophomores Paisley Cummings and Kendall Snodgress join a roster that’s bolstered by a quartet of freshmen in Khloe Cobbett, Camry Parsons, Paisley Perkins and Mackenzie Wright.

“I can pretty much play all of them,” said Jones, who was the assistant to Boak for the first time last winter after previously coaching the middle school team.

“They are all pretty decent. Right now we’re struggling a little bit on offense. Shooting-wise mostly. We can improve there. Defense, they do alright in that.”

The Red Devils are coming off a 9-13 campaign.

“I’m hoping we can go on a little winning streak and improve on last year’s wins,” added the coach. “They got it in them if they play right. They’ve been in good spirits this year and they’ve had fun. We have a little bit of fun and they know when to focus.

“It’s a way different team from last year. They’ve really enjoyed themselves and are actually putting in the work that they need to. I told them we got to go out there each game and build your confidence up and improve your game no matter what the score is.”

WRESTLING

Coach Ritchie is back in charge of the varsity wrestling team after previously holding the title following Mike Stump’s retirement.

The Red Devils haven’t had a state placer since 2022 when Jett Sampson finished fourth in Class AA/A at 126.

Although the CCHS girls did watch then sophomore Kyleigh Morris conclude a 22-9 season a year ago by taking fifth in the 100-pound weight class, there’s a lot of work to be done.

“They just needed one and most of the upperclassmen, most of the kids, I’ve had at some point in time,” coach Ritchie said of taking the job again.

Morris is set to return at 100 for the girls. Senior Kassidy Frederick will compete at 138 while Laney Arnold is a 132-pound junior.

When asked who was leading the way in the matroom the coach admitted “it’s a toss-up,” between a pair of sophomores in 144-pounder Tucker Sampson and 150-pounder Evan Burch.

“I hope they step up,” coach Ritchie added of the rest of his squad. “We are going to have fun. That’s what it’s all about.

“I want them to have fun and learn at the same time, and of course winning is always a lot more fun than losing.”

Calhoun County’s two senior boys are Christian Adreano (132) and Haiden Staton (165/175).

Nathan McClain (144-150) and Nicolis Butler (175) are competing as sophomores while the freshman class features 106-pounder Jace Johnson, 132-pounder Colin Grogg and 157-pounder Ezra Anderson.

“I’m hoping for it,” Ritchie said of getting some state representation this winter. “I’m looking for good things out of quite a few of them.

“We’re just touching up on some of the basic stuff and trying to toughen them up a little bit.”

BOYS BASKETBALL

After nearly a decade patrolling the sidelines as the CCHS girls head coach, Boak took the boys job after it came open.

“For me it was kind of a good thing. It’s not going to be a one-and-done,” said the coach, who returns 6-3 junior forward Cooper Morris (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg). “It’s a whole new system coming in.

“I thought long term all them juniors if they can learn a bunch of stuff this year we should be pretty decent next year. I’m hoping. Good young talent is what I saw and I’m like I’m going to try it.”

Boak admitted “I’m basically trying to run a four guard, one big system. I’d like to be a little faster. I like to play a little bit on the fast side. The problem is I haven’t really seen them up against any competition yet.

“I might change my mind once we get going. I like a little bit of pressure. I like to press a little bit, take it off and go a little fast.”

Despite not having a senior, the junior class has six other members in Josiah Wilson (G), Chase Schoolcraft (G), Charter Cottrell (F), first-time player Robert Davis (F/C), Micah Allen (C) and Garrett Carpenter (C).

Allen saw action in eight games and put up 6.3 points and 6 boards. Carpenter competed in 22 games while Cottrell saw action in 21 with averages of 2.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals.

Wilson is set to run the point with Schoolcraft at shooting guard. Schoolcraft as well as freshman small forward Trevor Mayle can also run the point.

Morris is set to be the power forward with Cottrell at the pivot. Mayle was the middle school point guard last winter.

“More than half the team is brand new,” said the coach, who has a pair of sophomores in Sawyer Groves (G) and Hoyt Helmick (F).

Joining Mayle in the freshman class are Cohen Blankenship (C), Michael Richards (G), Jayden Frame (G), Easton Boak (F), Preston Saur (G), Brody Rowe (G) and Caleb Allen (F/C).

“I want us to improve each and every game,” coach Boak stressed. “We’re giving up rebounding so to speak for some speed and ballhandling. I need ballhandlers.

“If you can’t get it across halfcourt you can’t score. I’m just looking forward to getting the season going. I think I have as much to learn as what the kids do. I want to be competitive. I don’t like losing by 30, 40 or 50.”