Panthers win two NBC middle school basketball titles
- Jeremy Schneider
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
By JEREMY SCHNEIDER
IMA SPORTS
The Maumee Middle School boys and girls basketball teams had tons of success this season, with two teams winning Northern Buckeye Conference titles and another finishing runners up.
The eighth grade boys and seventh grade girls both won conference titles while the eighth grade girls, who won the NBC title last year, finished second.
After a shaky start to the season led to a 2-2 record, coach Joshua Garmon said the team had a meeting to discuss goals. From that point on, the Panthers won eight of their next 11 regular season games.
“All of the team bought in and played hard for each other each game after the first four games,” Garmon said. “We worked out every Saturday morning in the weight room to keep improving and worked on the fundamental skills to improve their individual game.
“The maturity and discipline of our team tremendously improved each game of the season and the kids definitely wanted to get better and win the league championship.”
The team consisted of Phinnigan Reynolds, Oliver West, Dev Patel, Landon Hess, Wyatt Sweet, Kaiden Anderson, Anthony Bellafronte, Ke’yon McClure, Jackson Walter, Cameron Zybdnowski, Jiovanni Costello and Cohen Ball.
Garmon has spent a few years as a Maumee basketball coach, including at the varsity level. He said this year’s team was different because of the family-like atmosphere.
“They cared for one another, supported one another, and made sure that each other were giving their best effort on the court and in the classroom,” he said. “The kids played extremely hard all year long and did not complain about the process.”
The Panthers seventh grade girls team had success from the start, according to coach Jenni Dugan. They finished the season with a 15-3 record.
Dugan said the strong start to the season was a result of the effort and dedication the players put in from the first day of practice.
“From day one of practice, these girls were ready to both have fun and work hard,” she said. “What I love about this group is that they can truly do both, and that’s how it should be. They are a goofy group with lots of energy but they are well focused when needed.
“Not only did they work hard from day one this season, most of these girls have put in time in the past three to four years playing in some fashion. The Junior Panther program, open gyms, NBC youth program, local basketball clinics and training, and local tournaments are all things that have had a part in building this team prior to this year.
“None of those things would’ve been possible without the awesome support of the parents from this group. James Nino, Cam and Nancy Coutcher, and myself and my husband (Jason) have all worked hard to make sure these girls had opportunities before middle school, and we’ve had nothing but support from the other parents.”
The seventh grade team was Blake Coutcher, Jordyn Dugan, Olivia Albright, Avery Puffenberger, Lily Dembski, Morgan Nino, Malaniya McDonald and Lily Mulinix.
The eighth grade girls team went 5-7 in the league during the regular season, but the Panthers managed to win a pair of games and into the championship game for the second straight season. Team members included Ella Wagner, Reagan Farless, Bella Webb, Evangeline Gugger, Oaklee Wagner, Sophia Kubicz, Harper Kain and Olivia Servais. They were coached by Brian Ward.
According to coach Dugan, the success the Panthers had on the varsity court — winning a Division III sectional title and 17 games — definitely rubbed off on the middle school teams.
“Some of these seventh graders have been watching the team for years, so not only are they getting to live in the excitement of this season, they have watched the hard work that has led up to that success and look forward to being the girl getting announced one day,” Dugan said. “These girls are already emulating that work ethic, and there’s no doubt that their continued work and increased basketball IQ will continue their success in the future.”
The one team to not play for the title, the seventh grade boys finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed going into the tournament. However, illnesses struck the team at just the wrong time and led to an early exit from the tournament. They still finished 12-4 overall.
Team members were Rory Kennedy, Zion Vidales, Baylen Wegmen, Dylan Pyle, Chase Fisher, Tommy Hazard, Mac Lutz, Karrar Alneaamah, Braylon Board, Lucas Fairchild, Kole Williams and Nick Austin. They were coached by Buzz Rothenbuhler.
Garmon said the success the middle school teams had this year can translate into later years if the players stick together and work in the offseason.
“This group is very special and they are talented,” Garmon said of the eighth graders. “You can tell the kids enjoyed being around each other and wanted to make each other proud. I am so proud of this group of young men and their future is certainly bright.”
Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com
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