kdog - Pretty good summarization of the NOL this coming year. Did I hear the Loomis girl messed up her knee? Unfortunate. I think, especially if Hall plays, Fostoria has the best shot of knocking Bellevue from the top. Upper would be next but, as you said, will be counting on some freshman. Upper did do very well in the Mansfield 18U summer league this past season. Of course with Diebler coaching, you would wonder if he can ratchet down the intensity so as to not demoralize their freshman. Bellevue lost very little and will be very good.
Willard's challenge will be replacing the 2-4 hitters in the lineup that wasn't hugely potent last year. Nici Fluharty is the only returning all-NOL player out of the 5 returning letter (only one senior, one junior, three sophs.) winners. The coach will also have to figure out what she will do with two sophomore and one freshman pitchers. Obviously you don't need/want three pitchers but she may need them all on varsity for the athleticism - especially the freshman (Fried).