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NEW MATAMORAS — For the 32nd season Roger Kirkpatrick will be at the helm of the Frontier Cougars in the 2025-2026 campaign and the veteran head coach feels like he has a squad capable of having a special season.

Led by four-year starter Avery Powell, the Cougars will look to improve upon a 13-9 record last season that ended with tough losses in both the OVAC championship game as well as the District semifinal.

“We had a lead in the fourth quarter of both the OVAC championship game against Heartland Christian and against Steubenville Catholic who was the top seed in the District Semifinal only to lose in the end,” said Kirkpatrick. “Hopefully that experience and a year of maturity will help us get over the hump this year.”

After serving double-duty as Athletic Director for most of his 32 years at Frontier, Kirkpatrick will serve only as head coach this year.

That change would not be possible without the quality group of assistant coaches he has assembled in Scott Murphy, Todd Bradford and Laken Shook, all former head coaches in other sports.

“I’ve got a really good group of assistant coaches,” said Kirkpatrick.

“They all are former varsity coaches and we are fortunate to have them on our staff.”

On the court the Cougars will be led by Powell who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark last year as a junior in that season-ending loss to Steubenville Catholic.

“He’s (Powell) a four-year starter, a great kid who just continues to develop his game and gets stronger every year,” said Kirkpatrick of his 6-foot-2-inch senior. “He’s a great leader and will be one of our captains this year.”

Junior Jacob Bowersock returns as well and Kirkpatrick feels like the sky is the limit for the three-year starter who is another Cougar captain.

“I look for him to score more, to rebound more and he is the most aggressive player I have,” said Kirkpatrick. “He gives us 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.”

Joining those two in the starting lineup will be Kirkpatrick’s grandson Caleb Kirkpatrick, another three-year starter who will also serve as a captain.

“Caleb is the best defender we have and he always guards the best player the opponent has,” said Kirkpatrick. “He’s very unselfish and very disciplined and a good team player.”

Sophomore Kason Hoff returns as well after making his mark last year with his ability to shoot from the perimeter as a freshman.

“He’s got a year under his belt and he is much stronger and much smarter this year,” said Kirkpatrick of Hoff.

“He’s more physical this year and a great three-point shooter so we are excited to see what he can do.”

The Cougars graduated just one player from last years team in True King, who just happened to be their top rebounder.

Senior Hunter Taylor will take King’s place in the starting lineup and will look to also take his place as their top rebounder.

Junior Braden Powers gained a little bit of experience last year as a sophomore and will likely be the first man off the bench for the Cougars.

Fellow juniors Eli Edgar and Kyle Hubbard will also provide depth off of the bench as will freshman Caden Borrows, the lone underclassmen on the roster.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Frontier Cougars have been a model of consistency over the past three years winning 16 games twice and 15 in the other.

Optimism is high once gain for another successful season as the Cougars ready for the 2025-2026 with an experienced and talented roster.

Head coach Mike Cisler enters his ninth season at Frontier with all five starters returning from last year’s team that finished 15-8.

“We are really happy with the work they have put in and we have had four really good scrimmages,” said Cisler. “We are fortunate to have great senior leadership and their work ethic sets a great example for our younger players.”

Leading the way for the Cougars will be a pair of returning All-OVAC players in seniors Anna Bowersock and Kelsey Dye.

Bowersock led the team in scoring last season while also placing near the top of the list in rebounds.

Dye is a three-year starter who makes her presence felt on both ends of the court.

“We look for both of them to really step up and have great senior seasons for us this year,” said Cisler, who will be assisted by Greg Morus and Hilary Phothirath. “All of our seniors have been involved in over 50 wins over the past three years so they know what it takes.”

Another returning senior figuring to make an impact is point-guard Keeley Barrows.

Barrows missed a considerable amount of time last season due to an illness but is fully recovered this season and ready to resume her role as quarterback of the Cougar squad.

“We are thrilled to have Keeley back and healthy this year,” said Cisler. “In addition to running our offense from the point she is one of our very best defenders.”

Senior Ella Cisler figures to be in the starting lineup as will junior Willow Smitley who Cisler feels like may be ready to take a big step forward this year.

“(Willow) Smitley is one of our best shooters and has the ability to points up in bunches,” said Cisler. “She has also spent a lot of time working on her defense and has made great strides there too.”

The Cougars were dealt a tough blow before the season started as another key contributor from last years squad junior Elaney Cisler suffered an injury and will miss the entire season.

That injury opens the door for junior Emma Eddy and a quartet of freshmen to work their way into the Cougar rotation.

Freshman Addison Edgar, Gabby Brunoni, Bailey Yoho and Amaya Shultz will all be given the opportunity to earn playing time in their varsity debuts.

Cisler has been impressed with the effort his squad has put in and hopes it pays off on the court.

“These girls all worked so hard this summer both on the court and in the weight room,” said Cisler. “They have really bought in to what we are trying to accomplish and I’m excited to get things rolling.”

If there is one thing that Cisler and his staff would like to see his team improve upon it would be to develop more patience on the offensive end of the floor.

“It seems like a lot of times we are willing to settle on that first shot instead of looking for an even better one,” said Cisler. “They are improving on that with each practice and each scrimmage and if we can develop some patience it will go along way into making our offense even more efficient.”

The Cougars have made it to the OVAC championship game the past two years only to come up short.

“Winning the OVAC championship is definitely at the top of our list and we hope the third time is the charm,” said Cisler. “I really think we have a shot to do that and make a nice run in the OHSAA tournament as well.”