News Summary

With last season's co-champions Eaton and Milton-Union depleted by graduation, the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division coaches looked to the team that has all of its horses back to win the division.

The Bellbrook Golden Eagles return 17 starters from last season's 6-4 squad, and have 24 seniors all told.

"With everything we have coming back into our program this season, I think we should be pretty good," Bellbrook coach Kevin Basinger said. "We look to have a very good season, as long as we can stay healthy."

Bellbrook received five of the six first-place votes. There are seven teams in the SWBL Southwestern, but longtime Valley View coach Jay Niswonger refused to participate in the coaches poll.

"I've never participated in a poll, and I never will," he said.

The rest of the division coaches were less in agreement about the teams behind Bellbrook.

Oakwood received the only other first-place vote. The Lumberjacks and 2006 division co-champ Milton-Union both received 29 points.

Franklin could be the dark horse in the division. Rodney Roberts' team finished third in its first year in the league, and looks to improve on that this season.

Valley View looks to rebound from its 3-7 overall record, which included just one win within the division. Success will depend on the Spartans' relatively inexperienced defense.

Eaton had one of the best years in school history, sharing the SWBL Southwestern title last season. But 23 seniors are gone from that team, including 18 starters.

Look for Brookville to be improved over last season's 4-6 mark, with possibly a win or two against the bigger schools in the division.

The Blue Devils, the division's smallest team, did not win a league game in their first season in the loop.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.