November – 2003
Tri-Village Basketball is preparing for the 2003 - 2004 season with lots of shoes to fill from last years graduating seniors. Gone from last years CCC Championship Team are Bret Dill, Tom Renfro, Aaron Holmes and Zach Hoisington.
The Patriots were led last year by 3-year starter Brett Dill who provided much of the offense averaging 15.5 points a game. Bret was adept at penetrating opposing team’s defenses and dishing out assists. Bret left a mark on school history finishing in second place with 286 assists and fourth place in free throw shooting at 81.0% for his career. Replacing a player like Bret is never easy.
Tom Renfro another 3-year player provided senior leadership doing the little things coaches love and few people notice. Tom was an unselfish player who looked to pass first and shoot second and could be counted on to get a key rebound, make the necessary entry pass into the post, or dive after a loose ball. Tom finished his career as the third all time best free throw shooter in school history at 81.3%.
Zach Hoisington was arguably the best athlete on the team and often drew the tough defensive assignment. Zach was usually successful in shutting down the opposing teams top scorer while providing consistent scoring and rebounding. Zach finished his career as an outstanding athlete in cross country, basketball and volleyball; and is continuing his career at the next level playing Men's Volleyball with fellow 2000 TV Graduate Jeff Overfield at Findlay College.
Aaron Holmes finished his career as one of the better jumpers to come out of Tri-Village and provided strength in the rebounding department.
Replacing players is never easy especially these 4 graduating seniors who finshed their careers with 2 league championships.
Large schools have a number of players ready to step in for departing seniors, at a small school like Tri-Village those numbers are few. This forces a coach to use young underclassmen to fill the void and this year is no different. Players returning in 2003-2004 with significant playing time from last year are seniors Kyler Burns, Derek Ary and junior Corey Jay. Seeing limited action were junior Cameron Quinn and sophomore Sam Lindamood. Other team members include: sophomore Daniel Foreman, juniors Josh Fisherback, Josh Pipenger and seniors Nic Brant and Josh Bailey. Bailey was playing basketball last year in New York and transferred to join his sisters here in Ohio to finish school at Tri-Village, welcome Josh!
This should be another exciting season for Tri-Village basketball and one expects good things. Especially when you consider 3 conference championships 3 of the last 4 years.
The big question remains: who will emerge as the leader of this team challenging and bringing out the intensity in others enabling them to compete for an entire game? This team has size in Corey Jay, Cameron Quinn and Sam Lindamood; and should compete on the inside. Kyler Burns is a strong 3-point threat from the outside while Derek Ary, Josh Bailey, Josh Fisherback and Daniel Foreman are capable of knocking down the 15 footer. Nic Brant and Josh Pipenger will be counted on to help handle the basketball. How well the team plays defense, handles the basketball and minimizes unforced errors will determine their success.
Coach Falknor and his staff have found success over the years even at times when many felt they couldn't compete. Blending youth with seniors while incorporating a transfer and meshing them into a cohesive unit is the challenge ahead for Coach Falknor. Not to mention a very tough non-conference schedule that includes St. Henry, Ft. Recovery and Versailles from the MAC conference and Fairlawn from the SCL conference. But before the season is over they will have a say in who will win the CCC race. And if things fall into place maybe another league title. Good Luck and Go Patriots!
