NWO 3 on 3 League – Five Takeaways from Week #1

As June progresses – HS basketball teams in Ohio are working hard to develop chemistry and improve with sights on the 2019-2020 season. There are a number of shootouts and leagues that coaches and players take advantage of. One of these leagues is the NWO 3 on 3 league. A rare non 5-on-5 setting, this 3 on 3 league - a spinoff of its sister league, the NEO 3 on 3 league - has its own share of quality teams and talent. Week #1 of the NWO 3 on 3 league was held at Willard High School and we have 5 takeaways from that first night of games – which featured over 80 match-ups for HS/College teams from all divisions. <strong>Mansfield Madison has the potential to be much improved. </strong> With a group of girls that have achieved major success in soccer, volleyball and girls track - basketball at Madison has hovered around the .500 mark over the past few seasons. This winter could finally be the time that the Rams take the next step and contend for an Ohio Cardinal Conference championship. Led by Chesney Davis and Kari Eckenwiler - Madison had a great showing on the first night of games, finishing 4-3 against a quality schedule. <strong>Willard has a "new" coach and the same talent. </strong> After longtime bench leader Jon Dawson stepped away at the end of the 2018-2019 season, one in which Willard advanced to the district championship - many wondered who would step in to guide a squad with a lot of promise. The Flashes didn't have to look too far - hiring long-time Willard coach Barry Pfahl. The former head coach of 19 years in the district - Pfahl is taking over a team led by All-Ohioan and 1000 point scorer Cassidy Crawford <strong>- pictured above</strong>. Willard started their summer off with a bang, picking up right where they left off last season, running through the league with a 7-0 record in their home gym. <strong>Wynford is experienced and it shows. </strong> Amy Taylor-Sheldon has enjoyed some success during her time at Wynford, so it's not like she was doing cartwheels with her team's 15-8 finish last winter. With that being said, Wynford should be cautiously optimistic as they head into their next campaign. They did lose leading scorer Olivia Grove, but she was the only senior from that 15-win team and the returners - led by Rylee Aslpach - looked outstanding on their way to a 7-1 finish during the first night of competition. <strong>Cardington is showing no signs of slowing down. </strong> Cardington has been 84-16 over their last 4 seasons, on their way to 4 straight conference championships. They have had a number of skilled players come through the program - so you would think that as they lose a few more players to the college ranks - Kynlee Edwards (University of Findlay), Taylor Reppart (Heidelberg) and Paige Clinger (Mount Union) it would tough to maintain that level of success. What we learned is that Cardington has even more talent coming to compliment All-Ohio post Casey Bertke, who will be a college athlete in her own right upon graduation. Beth Hardwick really shined during the first night of games. <strong>We should expect another outstanding Bellevue-Margaretta match-up. </strong> In last year's Sandusky Bay Conference crossover match-up, Bellevue - one of Ohio's top teams in division II - and Margaretta - one of Ohio's top teams in division III, played to a classic in front of a sold-out crowd. Bellevue won 58-54 in overtime and although both teams lost some key players - they have a lot of production back. Margaretta will be led by All-Ohioan Jayden Moore, as well as Taylor Malson and Elliana Schaefer. Bellevue returns Casey Santoro and Cory Santoro - two of the state's top scoring guards. &nbsp;