PERRYSBURG – To say the Perrysburg girls basketball team has a different look this season would be a vast
understatement.
The Yellow Jackets have a new coach and must replace the most successful senior class in the program’s
history, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Perrysburg won’t be competing for a third consecutive
Northern Lakes League title.
Coming off a perfect regular season and an appearance in the Division I regional final last season, the
‘Jackets have a much different look.
Long-time assistant coach Todd Sims takes over for Mark Schrock, who was entering his 20th season as
Perrysburg’s head coach. Sims was named interim head coach for this season, as Schrock’s resignation for
"personal reasons" was announced earlier this week.
"We’re going to keep it going like it has been. That’s the plan. There’s going to be very little
change," Sims said. "When you come to watch us play, the style isn’t going to be much
different."
Lost to graduation is a group of seven seniors and most of the production from a season ago.
The only starter back is senior center Erin Mesker (5-foot-11).
Perrysburg’s first player off the bench last season as a freshman, 6-0 sophomore guard Kelsea Newman,
also returns to lead the ‘Jackets’ letter winners.
"That’s as good of a one-two punch as you’re going to have in the league," Sims said of Mesker
and Newman. "Kelsea is very good outside and inside. Erin is obviously a very good post player. So
that gives us some outside shooting, some inside scoring, plus some rebounding."
Perrysburg returns a total of seven letter winners. However, senior guard Alyssa Goins (5-6) is the only
player, along with Mesker and Newman, who saw significant minutes last season.
The other returning letter winners are: seniors Kirsten Goins (5-6, guard) and Lydia Moser (5-7,
forward); and juniors Nicole Delas (5-10, forward) and Lindsay Matolyak (5-5, guard).
"We’re going to have to play it by ear," Sims said. "We’ll see how things go in practice
and scrimmages and see who fits into what spot because I don’t know exactly right now."

A strength of Perrysburg’s team last season was its defense, as the ‘Jackets held opponents to an average
of 33.8 points per game. On offense, Perrysburg averaged 59.7 points, as most games Perrysburg were
blowouts.
Sims said defense will remain a sticking point with this year’s team.
"That’s the plan, play good defense. Our strengths probably would be shooting, work ethic, for
sure," Sims said. "They’re used to winning here and I’ve been a part of that for a long time.
That’s the plan, to keep that up. We’re used to being successful and hopefully we’re successful this
year."
Sims pointed to Northview, Southview, Bowling Green and Anthony Wayne as being the top contenders for the
NLL title this season.
"The league is really balanced," Sims said. "I don’t know that there’s one team way out
ahead of everybody else."
As for the change in the program, Sims admitted the time leading up to the season without coach Schrock
has been "different."
But Sims, who has been a part of the Perrysburg girls program for over 20 years, doesn’t see it having
much of an affect on the floor.
"There’s no reason why we shouldn’t just keep right on going. I don’t know how many games we’re
going to win necessarily, but the program itself is going to be like it’s always been," Sims said.
"I’ve been a part of it. It’s not like I all of sudden got thrown into the mix. The plan is to keep
rolling right along like it has been."
PERRYSBURG GIRLS SCHEDULE
Nov. 28 – NORTHVIEW#
Dec. 4 – at Maumee#
Dec. 11 – ROSSFORD#
Dec. 12 – CLAY
Dec. 18 – at Southview#
Dec. 21 – ST. URSULA
Dec. 23 – FINDLAY
Dec. 29 – at Fremont Ross
Jan. 8 – at Anthony Wayne#
Jan. 12 – at Bowsher
Jan. 15 – at Bowling Green#
Jan. 19 – at Northview#
Jan. 22 – MAUMEE#
Jan. 23 – at Notre Dame
Jan. 26 – at Rossford#
Jan. 30 – at Springfield#
Feb. 2 – SOUTHVIEW#
Feb. 6 – ANTHONY WAYNE#
Feb. 9 – SPRINGFIELD#
Feb. 16 – BOWLING GREEN#
#-Northern Lakes League game