NEW MADISON – Since the inception of the 12-team Western Ohio Athletic Conference, there have only been two boys basketball teams win a league championship. Tri-Village won the initial season 2021-22 and in 2024-25. Preble Shawnee sandwiched in between back-to-back titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
What’s the common denominator? The game between Tri-Village and Preble Shawnee has determined the champion each of the last four years. Once again, these two will meet with perfect 10-0 records in the WOAC, with the winner claiming a league title.
Preble Shawnee holds a 3-2 lead in head-to-head matchups, winning twice in 2023-24: once in the regular season to clinch the crown and the other in the D3 Tournament Regional Semi-Final game.
In the five games played between the two, Tri-Village has scored 280 points and Preble Shawnee 256 … it doesn’t get more even than that.
Tri-Village is led by Trey Sagester a four-year player who leads the WOAC in scoring at 25.2 ppg, is 2nd in steals at 3.9 and 4th in assists at 4.5.
Preble Shawnee’s Brody Morton, also a four-year player, is 2nd scoring in WOAC at 17.5 ppg and 3rd in steals at 3.6 per game.
The two bigs in this game will be Dom Black and Brody Foxbower.
The Patriots’ Black is averaging 12.4 ppg, 73.6 FG%, and 5.5 rebounds per game.
The Arrow’s Foxbower is averaging 10.9 ppg, 54.7 FG%, is 5th in the WOAC with 7.7 rpg.
While these four lead the league in a number of categories, the remaining cast for both teams are proven athletes, playmakers, and the game will hinge on how well they execute.
For the Patriots, Noah Finkbine, Griffin Richards, and Brecken Gray will be leaned on, and they will need contributions from Kasyn Hollinger, Hayden Hunt, and Carson Bedinghaus.
The Arrows will lean on Caleb Blankenship and Braylon Dorrel and will need contributions from Gage Powers and Colton Schroeder.
Tri-Village leads the league in scoring at 69.1 ppg, with the Arrows scoring 55.7 ppg. The Patriots are giving up just 32.6 ppg while Preble Shawnee gives up just 41.6 ppg.
Tri-Village has had some good wins this season against some bigger opponents drubbing Kettering Fairmont 55-19 and Jonathan Alder 68-44 on their way to a 19-0 record.
Preble Shawnee enters the game with a 17-3 record and recently knocked off Botkins a state contender from the Shelby County League 47-44.
The “Game” between Preble Shawnee and Tri-Village will feature talented players, interesting matchups, and will take place on Friday. February 13th in New Madison.
Come out and support your team, and if you’re a basketball fan, it’s one game you won’t want to miss.
