Ansonia Boys Basketball 2023 Preview

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The 2023-24 Ansonia Boys Basketball Team. (Danny Stockton Photo)

The Ansonia Boys basketball went 13-11 overall last year and 5-6 in the WOAC. The team has a lot of experience returning for the 2023-24 season and is a very athletic and physical team, one many consider to be a front runner in the league. The success of their football team has delayed players getting into shape and has also dealt the team a blow with some injuries especially to a key senior player Garrett Stammen.

“How are we going to respond after losing Garrett Stammen for the season and Landyn Bowman for the first half of the season? That’s the big question not only on 2nd year coach Tony Overton’s mind … but also many other around the league.

“We are still Senior Heavy and very athletic. But, in order for us to be successful we have to play smart and limit fouls due to our lack of depth. Some younger guys have the opportunity to step in and contribute right away like freshman Bennett Lehman and Jacob Schmitmeyer. If we can adjust to the loss of Stammen, we expect to be in the thick of the WOAC race,” Overton commented.

Key Players returning this year are:

Jakob Creamer is a 6’ Sr., guard a team leader who does everything and has a high motor.

Matt Barga is a 6’ Sr., guard will need to transition from a role player to an impact player this year.

Ethan Reichert is a 6-2 Sr., forward has potential to be an All WOAC performer with an improved focus.

Trevor Hemmerich is a 6’ Sr., forward will be counted on to pick up some of the slack with the loss of Stammen.

Garrett Stammen is a 6-1 Sr. forward and out for the season with a knee injury from football. Was the leading scorer/rebounder from last year and is just 25 points away from scoring 1,000 points. Currently he will not have an opportunity to score 1000 points unless the Tigers can rally support from other teams to find a way to get him to 1000 points.

Key contributors moving up from JV:

Bennett Lehman a 5-9 Fr., guard is a great competitor with a high IQ it will be a big jump from Junior High to varsity.
Asher Shives is a 6’ Sr., guard/forward and will be counted on for defense and rebounding.

Conner Riffle is a 6-1 Jr., guard/forward is a good shooter but needs to improve strength.

Jacob Schmitmeyer is a 5-10 Fr., forward very strong and athletic, will be eased in varsity action this year.

“Our team strengths will be a senior led team, athleticism and shooting. Our goal is to compete for a WOAC title, sectional championship and a good tournament performance. The keys to winning is playing smart, limit turnover and who can step forward to pick up the slack of Garrett Stammen,” Overton said.

Overton sees Preble Shawnee at the top with Dixie, Tri-Village and Ansonia battling it out along with Arcanum as a sleeper.