DOVER — Dover, which has a rich tradition in sports, especially the boys’ basketball program that has 1,540 wins, fifth best in Ohio basketball history, will begin its first season (second overall tenure) as a member of the challenging Ohio Cardinal Conference this winter.
Dover head coach Matt Von Kaenel, son of retired Dover HOF coach Bob Von Kaenel, begins his second year at the helm of the Crimson Tornadoes and is looking forward to competing for a conference championship after the school had no league affiliation the past several years.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Finally, being in a league for the first time, and trying to win a league, that’s a neat thing,” said Von Kaenel, a 1997 Dover grad and football and basketball alumnus for the Tornadoes. “We get to play everybody twice, and that is a whole other experience — you have to learn people’s personnel and JV teams and stuff like that. So, winning the league and making a tournament run, obviously (are important).”
The Tornadoes, who finished 11-11 in the regular season and 11-12 overall last winter, will be relying on four returning letterwinners to lead them. That includes two seniors in 5-foot-11 senior point guard Rob Copple and 6-2 forward-center Cam Nauer, as well as 5-11 junior guard Luke Leggett and multi-talented 6-1 sophomore shooting guard in Dieter Weber, who earned all-district honors at the Tornadoes’ quarterback in football this fall.
Dover's Rob Copple, center, is one of two seniors back for the Tornadoes, along with 6-2 forward-center Cam Nauer.The Tornadoes will focus on continuing to play outstanding defense and taking advantage of matchups on offense, depending on the opponent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnother key may well rest in the progress of a large number of non-lettermen vying for playing time while adding depth to Dover’s rotation.
“After (the returning four lettermen), it's the kids from last year’s JV team that I can find who can fit in,” Von Kaenel said. “The sophomores are clawing for spots that they know are there, and they’re each getting their chance right now."
Among the non-lettermen battling for floor time are 5-10 senior Noah McClelland, 6-0 junior Jarin Statler, 5-10 sophomore Dante Clark, 5-10 sophomore Jaxon Barton, 6-0 sophomore Gavin Van Horn, 6-0 sophomore Cooper Connare, 6-2 sophomore Deacon Wise, 6-0 sophomore Colton Durant and 6-0 sophomore Jacob Noretto.
Von Kaenel is well aware playing in the Ohio Cardinal Conference will be challenging but he knows it will make the Tornadoes better for what he hopes will be a successful postseason tournament run.
Dover's Matt Von Kaenel enters his second year as head coach.Need an example of just how strong the Ohio Cardinal Conference is in boys’ basketball? Consider this: The Lexington Minutemen repeated as OCC champions while finishing 13-1 in league play last winter, while Mansfield Senior (15-5 overall), New Philadelphia (14-8 overall) and Ashland (11-10 overall) also had winning records and return a number of all-conference players.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We also have a five-team (Division III) sectional-district with Steubenville, Zanesville, Tri-Valley, Philly and us, so to win that tournament would be something in itself,” said Von Kaenel. “Those two things (winning the OCC and the district) and trying to beat your rival (New Philadelphia) a couple times (are the goals).”
Gone from the Tornadoes’ 2024-2025 slate are Waynedale, Linsly (Wva.), Parkersburg (Wva.) South, University School, Akron North, Massillon, Garfield Heights Trinity, Tusky Valley and Zanesville.
Along with a demanding league slate, the Tornadoes have once again lined up a rugged non-league schedule, which includes three teams from the Federal League, along with some local rivals as well as a holiday tournament in Marietta.
“When it comes to non-league, we’re going to play Green, Lake and Perry again,” said Von Kaenel. “And we’re playing Hiland and Indian Valley from around the area. We’re also going to travel down to Marietta College and play in a little one-day shootout with Belpre just for something fun to do and to get kids on a college floor over the holiday break.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2025-26 Dover boys basketball schedule
Dec. 2 at Green
Dec. 5 at Lexington
Dec. 9 Lake
Dec. 12 Ashland
Dec. 16 at Wooster
Dec. 19 West Holmes
Dec. 23 New Philadelphia
Dec. 27 at Marietta Shootout vs. Belpre at (at Marietta College)
Dec. 30 at Perry
Jan. 2 Mansfield Madison
Jan. 3 Indian Valley
Jan. 9 at Mansfield Senior
Jan. 10 Hiland
Jan. 16 at Ashland
Jan. 20 Wooster
Jan. 23 Lexington
Jan. 27 at West Holmes
Jan. 30 at Mansfield Madison
Feb. 3 at Steubenville
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover boys basketball season preview 2025-26
AdvertisementAdvertisement