Seniors lead Tribe’s MAC title defense

The Indians finished atop the conference last season for the first time in almost three decades.

A couple weeks later they fell short of accomplishing another goal, a district title, which hadn’t been done in almost 10 years.

Led by a group of five seniors, including two returning starters, Fort Recovery High School girls basketball coach Holly Gann is hoping the feeling from the successes last year can be a solid starting point as the Tribe begins its Midwest Athletic Conference title defense as it opens the season tonight.

“Obviously we know what it feels like,” said Gann, the Indians’ second-year coach. “I think cultures of winning start with finding that success.

“Last year not only were we able to find those small successes each game, but obviously we were able to win big games. That separated us from an OK team to being a good team. Last year I don’t think we had enough fuel in the tank to get through the (postseason) tournament.”

The Indians graduated four seniors. Val Muhlenkamp, who now plays at Findlay, led the team in points per game (10.2), rebounds (6.5), blocks (nine total) and 3-pointers made (23).

Classmate Brooke Kahlig’s 6.3 points per game was fourth on the team, her 4.3 RPG were second and her 36 steals were second.

The Indians also lost Olivia Patch, who plays for Hillsdale College, and Macy Day.

Coming off a season during which they went 18-4, the Indians return seniors Kierra Wendel (8.8 PPG), the team’s point guard, and Alli Vaughn (8.5 PPG). The offense this year will begin with those two seniors.

“Obviously she did a lot of things for us last year,” Gann said of the 5-foot, 5-inch Wendel. “She’s going to continue to do those same things. She’s going to push the ball, she’s going to look to score. She’s got a pretty pull-up (jumper).

“She’s one of our leaders on the floor. I don’t imagine her getting much of a break. She knows that and those things are awesome and I know she’s ready to go.”

On Vaughn, a 5-foot, 10-inch guard who has signed with Huntington University: “One of those players that can do it all. Left handed, looks to drive, looks to score. Defensively she’s going to be able to add some pressure. Clearly she’s tall, she can do it all on the floor so we’re kind of looking for her to pick up some other roles we lost from last year.”

Fort Recovery also has seniors Paige Fortkamp (4.0 PPG), Hope Wendel (1.2 PPG) and Brenna Homan. Wendel and Homan appeared in 15 and 13 games, respectively, last season.

Fortkamp, who is more of a spot shooter than one who will drive to the basket, will be looked to for scoring more this season as well as using her jumping ability to grab rebounds.

Junior Whitley Rammel, the team’s tallest player at 6 feet, 3 inches, will handle the post as a forward.

“This year we’re working on getting (the ball) more to her,” Gann said. “She’s worked hard over the offseason to work on post moves, free throws. We look to her for rebounding and being a big body down there to be able to push some girls around.”

The Indians also feature junior Grace Guggenbiller, who was point guard at the junior varsity level last year but could be more of a forward this year, and freshman Mara Pearson.

After losing to Versailles in the first MAC game of 2019-20, Fort Recovery rattled off eight straight wins, including a 43-36 triumph over two-time defending state champion Minster. That streak also had a 50-28 victory against New Knoxville, which turned around and knocked off the Indians 46-44 in the district semifinal.

“It’s a MAC team so any time you have to play another MAC team in tournament it’s always hard,” Gann said. “(New Knoxville) is going to be good again. We’re going to see them again.”

The Indians begin the season tonight against host Arcanum in the Roy Hutchison Memorial Tournament, and meet either Franklin Monroe or Russia on Saturday.

The Tribe’s home opener is Tuesday night against Trotwood-Madison, and it opens MAC play Nov. 27 against Versailles. The Indians host MAC rivals Delphos St. John’s (Dec. 10), New Knoxville (Jan. 7) and St. Henry (Jan. 21).

“Unfortunately when you play in a conference like ours you don’t ever get away,” Gann said. “There is no easy games in our conference but I also think that’s the beautiful thing about where we do live.”