ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Three Letterwinners Back For PHS Boys Basketball


Three letterwinners return to a Pettisville boys basketball team who won its second straight Buckeye Border Conference championship, finishing 12-0 last year, and was 15-9 overall.

Brian Leppelmeier is starting his fifth year as head coach of the Birds, where he is 64-31.

Returning are Max Leppelmeier, senior point guard, Second Team All-BBC, Second Team District 7, 9.7 points per game; Josh Horning, senior guard, 2.4 ppg; and Cayden Jacoby, sophomore center, 5.2 ppg.

Promising newcomers include seniors Jake King and Dominic Heising; juniors Zakkai Kaufmann, Anthony Smith, Gideon Myers, Josh Basselman, and Nate Rupp; sophomores Jaret Beck and Sean Adkins; and freshman Joey Ripke.

Lost to graduation were Graeme Jacoby, 17.2 ppg, 9.1 rebounds/game; Mitchell Avina, 8.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg; Isaac Reynolds, 1.9 ppg; Jaton Zuver, and Payne Reiniche.

“Even with only three returning letterwinners from last season, our new group of players have been coachable during the pre-season,” said B. Leppelmeier.

“Throughout the pre-season, the returners have been good leaders as we progress with this new team.

“We graduated a solid group of seniors that were responsible for over 50% of our offense. Of the five seniors lost to graduation, two were starters: Graeme Jacoby, leading scorer, 1000 Point Club, and leading rebounder, and Mitchell Avina, assist leader and thirdleading scorer.

“Our challenge to begin this season for our newcomers to the varsity level is learning and accepting the new roles for this team.

“We are going to lean on the experience and leadership of our three returning starters of Max Leppelmeier, Josh Horning, and Cayden Jacoby.”

The coach predicts the BBC will be balanced and competitive this year.

Justin Rufenacht is varsity assistant coach. Michael Schrock is junior varsity coach, and Zach Pursel is the freshman coach.

The Birds are scheduled to open their season, Friday, Nov. 27, in a BBC game at Hilltop.