Everyone is chasing Margaretta in the Bay by JOSHUA MORGRET joshuamorgret@sanduskyregister.com Nov 26, 2025 12:03 PM There's no denying Margaretta is the overwhelming favorite to win the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division boys basketball title. "Overall, the league is very balanced outside of Margaretta," Port Clinton coach Jared Rhode said. "Everyone knows they are the cream of the crop and the best team in the area. However, the other teams can all probably push for second in the league or finish last. That should make for a lot of interesting competition." The Polar Bears have won the league championship the last two years, finishing 10-0 in league play last year. Willard split the title with Margaretta two years ago. Do the Crimson Flashes have enough to challenge the Polar Bears this season? Margaretta The Polar Bears won 24 games and a second straight district championship last season and return a plethora of talent. NCAA Division I Dayton signee Julian Washington averaged 21.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest as a junior. He'll be joined by Judah Keller (10.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds), Tyson Bailey (8.5 PPG) and Kale Bailey (7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds). The biggest piece Margaretta will have to replace is 3-point threat Nolan Wiley. He averaged 11.9 PPG and made 54 percent (50 of 93) of his 3-pointers. "For our basketball team, I believe it all starts on the defensive end," Margaretta coach Steve Keller said. "We need to get stops and not concern ourselves with steals. We need to have a mindset of toughness and pride to get defensive rebounds. That allows us to play in transition." Sandusky, Margaretta play area's toughest schedules By JOSHUA MORGRET joshuamorgret@sanduskyregister.com Nov 22, 2025 10:00 AM The Polar Bears' first two games come against teams in the bigger Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division. Before facing Sandusky, Margaretta travels to Bellevue to open the season next Friday. "It allows your basketball team to identify the areas of improvement," Polar Bears coach Steve Keller said. "Secondly, it allows your team to find out what type of competitors you have in big moment, big game environments. Lastly, you get to find out how shallow or deep your rotation can be versus really good teams." Margaretta has won 24 games each of the last two seasons. This year, the Polar Bears also take on district champion St. Paul, Clyde, state semifinalist Colonel Crawford, Tiffin Calvert and Northridge at Flyin' To The Hoop in Dayton. Margaretta will battle Toledo Central Catholic at the Tourney Tune-Up on its home floor Jan. 31. "I think this benefits the team greatly because you can discuss the tough games and lessons learned in preparing for the tournament," Keller said. "Health is always important, too, but Lord willing, teams stay healthy and you can grow late because you have been battle-tested."