Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools 2637 Tusky Valley Rd. Zoarville, OH 44656 330-859-2213

2017-2018 Season (6-18)
Standing: Manager Gage Provance, Head Coach Terry Sites, Toby Grossi, Tyler Boyd, Sam Ray, Owen Miller, Bailey Nelson, Coach Provance, Coach Miller, Manager Eli Miller Sitting: Jeremy Salvo, Craig Smolinsky, Jaden Sachs, Jared Kienzle, Brandon Goldsmith, Jack Sanders, Brock Haas

Season Recap

The 2017-2018 boys’ basketball season brought a whole lot “new” to the Tusky Valley boys’ basketball program.  The team was playing in a new league, with a new head coach, and a roster full of new faces as the team returned just two letterwinners from the 2017 district finalist team.  With all of the changes, a season of struggle and growth was expected and that’s exactly what transpired as the Trojans finished the season with a final record of 6-18 but set the stage for a promising future.

Perhaps the biggest change for the 2017-2018 season was the new coaching staff.  After 19 seasons at the helm, Steve Franks stepped down as Trojan coach following the 2016-2017 season.  Terry Sites took over the Trojan program and knew that there would be an adjustment period as the team’s players were not even alive the last time Coach Franks was not the Trojan head coach.  “It is always tough for a player to come into a season with a new coaching staff and new philosophies,” said Sites. “But I feel that the players responded very well.” The players also believed that the team responded well to Coach Sites and believed he was a major reason the team remained close despite a lack of on court results.  “One thing that made this season so enjoyable was how well everyone got along,” said junior Jeremy Salvo. “The new coaching staff is truly great and all the players get along very well.”

Terry Sites became the 11th head boys' basketball coach in Tusky Valley history.

The Trojans also had another big change as they moved from the PAC to the IVC.  Of all the sports, the boys’ basketball team faced perhaps the stiffest competition from the new league as several IVC teams made deep tournament runs and showed the strength of the conference in boys’ basketball.  “The IVC was a lot more competitive than the PAC,” said junior Owen Clugston. “There were a lot of good teams in both the North and South.”

While the level of competition made the regular season more difficult, the team also knew that they would be better prepared for the future because of it. “The move to the IVC was a great move for us. The level of competition really amped up, but prepared us for tournaments like never before,” stated Coach Sites. “The majority of our opponents finished the season with a winning record and this experience has helped us grow and prepare for the future.”

The progress of the program showed as the team enjoyed their two biggest wins of the season at the end of the year.  First, the Trojans put together a strong performance at the IVC Showcase as they defeated Claymont, a team they had lost to early in the season, by a final score of 64-41.  The Trojans then opened tournament play with another big win as they traveled to Coshocton and knocked the Redskins out of the tournament for the second season in a row. “The goal is to be playing your best basketball at the end of the season,” noted Coach Sites. “and I feel that we were doing that.”

Jeremy Salvo earned First Team IVC and First Team District 5 honors for the Trojans.

Unfortunately, the season ended with a tough loss to Sandy Valley in the sectional finals.  However, the end of the season didn’t damper the players enthusiasm for the team or the future.  “I loved everything about this year. My teammates are my best friends and my coaches are great role models,” said Jeremy Salvo. Salvo’s positive view of the new coaching staff was shared by several of his teammates.  “The best thing about being on the team was that it was Coach Sites first year and I enjoyed every second of it,” stated senior Jared Kienzle.

While the players enjoyed this past season, Coach Sites believes the players need work hard this offseason to be able physically compete with players in the IVC.  “We need to commit to the weight room,” said Sites. “Our number one priority is to get stronger. We will be in the weight room all summer and commit ourselves to getting stronger and playing bigger.”


How would you summarize the 2017-2018 season?

Jeremy Salvo - It was a very hard-working and fun season. Every practice and game everyone played their hardest. Even after being beat by significant amounts we would come to the gym the next day ready to give it our all and get better. One thing that made this season so enjoyable was how well everyone got along. The new coaching staff is truly great and all the players get along very well. These things gave us the drive to give it our all, 100% of the time. Even though we didn't get to see very much success in the aspect of winning, this season was a success in preparation for our next season and the future of the Tusky Valley basketball program.

Jared Kienzle - The season didn't go as we planned it to go but we still had a great year and I wouldn't of wanted to spend my senior year with any other team.

Brandon Goldsmith - It was fun, but kind of frustrating that we were in so many close games but didn't win them.

Owen Clugston - A fresh start with a new coaching staff. Not the ending that we wanted, but something to build on for next year.


What was your team’s biggest strength? What was the biggest weakness?

Jeremy Salvo - Our biggest strength was our hustle and effort, we played hard and no one could argue with that. Our biggest weakness was lack of experience. We played many underclassmen and only two seniors. Experience will be one of our strengths next year.

Jared Kienzle - The biggest strength was that we were the most conditioned team and the biggest weakness was that we could not score very well.

Brandon Goldsmith - Our biggest strength was our quickness getting down the court and our weakness was probably defense and our 3 point shooting.

Owen Clugston - I believe that our biggest strength was fight and hustle. We were in some tough games this year, sometimes it just came down to one quarter where we lost it. Our shooting was our biggest weakness, we need to improve on it during the offseason.


What was your most memorable moment from the 2017 season (on or off the court)?

Jeremy Salvo - When I think of memorable moments from this year, our second Strasburg game comes to my mind. The first time we played Strasburg I was in the middle of a bad cold and wasn't myself. Because of this we couldn't execute on offense or score which made for a very rough loss against a very good Strasburg team. They embarrassed us on our home court. Next game was at their place and coach used our first loss against them to make us fired up and get ready to play. We came out that game playing with an attitude and made everything Strasburg wanted to do hard for them and we executed on offense. Although they ended up winning by around 10 points, I think that was our best performance this year and it really demonstrated how Tusky Valley can play.

Jared Kienzle - The most memorable moment was when we beat Ridgewood.

Brandon Goldsmith - The most memorable moment was when I had my best game of the year against Ridgewood.

Owen Clugston - Our tournament win against Coshocton. It was a tough game, but those are always the most fun to be in. Just running into the locker room celebrating a tournament win is one of the best feelings.


What was the best thing about being a member of this year’s team?

Jeremy Salvo - I can't pick out a single thing, I loved everything about this year. My teammates are my best friends and my coaches are great role models. Coach Sites helped me develop my offensive game over this summer and it really showed throughout the year.

Jared Kienzle - The best thing about being on the team was that it was Coach Sites first year and I enjoyed every second of it.

Brandon Goldsmith - It was fun being around all of your friends that just like to play basketball.

Owen Clugston - How close we all are. I love all of the guys on the team, we all just had a good time playing together.


If you could only use one word to describe the season, what would it be and why?

Jeremy Salvo - Progress. This word is very fitting because many good things came from this year and we are ready to have a successful season in 2019.

Jared Kienzle - Fast. I feel like the season went by too quick.

Brandon Goldsmith - Learning, because we didn't have many players with a lot of varsity experience.

Owen Clugston - Memorable. The bonds I have with my teammates are some that I'll never forget, I will miss our two seniors immensely.



How did you feel about playing in the IVC as opposed to the PAC?

Jeremy Salvo - I played very limited minutes on varsity last year so the IVC is all I really know. There are many talented players and very good teams in the IVC.

Jared Kienzle - I felt like some of the teams were tougher than what they are in the PAC.

Brandon Goldsmith - The IVC was definitely a lot more difficult than the PAC.

Owen Clugston - The IVC is a lot more competitive than what the PAC. There are a lot of good teams in both the North and South and we're looking to move up in the rankings next year.


What are your plans this offseason to improve and get ready for next year?

Jeremy Salvo - I have already started my off-season work and the things I will focus on are my shooting, ball handling with my left hand, lifting, and plyometrics. I am going to improve every part of my game and next year all our teams work will pay off.

Brandon Goldsmith - I plan on increasing my vertical and trying to get quicker for next year.

Owen Clugston - Watching film to see what I need to improve on, getting a lot of shots up, and lifting.

 

Season Results

Opponent W/L Score
Indian Valley L 68-48
Newcomerstown W 52-25
Strasburg L 60-24
Sandy Valley L 72-54
Conotton Valley W 55-42
East Canton L 56-43
Claymont L 49-42
Minerva L 83-39
TCC L 47-43
Fairless L 57-49
Malvern L 75-52
Strasburg L 58-43
Indian Valley L 74-54
Sandy Valley L 74-52
Ridgewood W 64-57
Conotton Valley W 62-48
East Canton L 58-41
Garaway L 62-42
TCC L 39-30
Malvern L 67-34
Claymont W 64-41
Dover L 76-27
Coshocton W 52-48
Sandy Valley L 66-24


2017-2018 Boys' Basketball Awards

Jeremy Salvo
First Team IVC North
First Team District 5
Second Team Eastern District
Honorable Mention All Ohio
Jared Kienzle
Honorable Mention IVC North
Honorable Mention District 5
Special Mention Eastern District
Brandon Goldsmith
Special Mention Eastern District





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