By Mike Warren
Sports Editor

MARSHFIELD – A junior-laden Auburndale girls’ basketball team has found early-season success by combining lots of varsity experience with a few new faces.

“I think our experience is getting us off on the right foot,” Head Coach Josh Nagel told Gene Delisio, WDLB/WOSQ, following a 5-0 start in December. “I’ve got a lot of girls with fifty career games or more under their belts and it’s starting to show. We’re able to work on some of the finer things and they’re picking some offensive tendencies up a little bit quicker. We were able to progress a little bit faster here at the start of the season, which was nice to see. They are all familiar. They know what to expect with what we’re trying to do in our system, so we were just able to hit the ground running.”   

Kylie Anderson is the lone senior on Auburndale’s varsity roster this season.

“She started every game for us last year,” said Nagel. “She’s our off guard, but she’s been stepping up a little bit more this year and actually handling the point position off and on, so Gracie Hasenohrl doesn’t have to do it all the time. 

“And then I’ve got Gracie Hasenohrl and her sister, Rose Hasenohrl (both juniors).

They’ve been major contributors the last couple years.

“Then there’s (juniors) Chesney Nagel and Myah Katzenberger.

“Breleigh Grimm (junior) is another one of those players. She’s a capable scorer as well,” Nagel added.

“We’re waiting for (junior) Lily Bellanti to get back off her ACL injury, so that’s just going to make us stronger.

“That junior class has gotten a lot of experience since they were freshmen, so that’s where all those career games come in,” the second-year head coach told Delisio. “They’ve had to play maybe sooner than they needed to. I don’t know what the case was, but they’ve got the experience and it’s showing here this year.”

In addition, Marti Anderson is a sophomore who’s been getting substantial minutes so far this season. 

“So, we’ve got a little bit of new coming in with a lot of the old and hopefully it pays off,” said Nagel.

He added that physical strength has been the area in which he has seen the most improvement from last season to this year.

“We’ve had some girls put some time in in the weight room here this year. And that physical strength builds confidence. When you’re physically strong you’re more confident with the ball, which has cut back on our turnovers here at the start of the season. Hopefully that continues,” Nagel said.

Katzenberger, a five-foot, nine-inch forward, was a second-team All-Marawood Conference selection a season ago, and Nagel is expecting another big year out of her.

“She’s got a nice outside shot. Most people think she’s just an inside player, but she shoots the three pointer at a high clip, right around forty, fifty percent. She can play with her back to the basket. She’s passing out of the post real well. She knows she’s going to get a double team coming her way and she’s been really cognizant this year of turning around, facing the basket, and if it’s there she’ll make a move, and if not she’ll kick it out and repost,” Nagel said.       

Nagel also said much of the credit for Auburndale’s fast start this season should go to his team’s man-to-man defense.

“We’re only giving up thirty-five, thirty-six points a game, and part of that is we can put great pressure on the ball. With Gracie Hasenohrl and Chesney Nagel, they can put great ball pressure on ball handlers and shooters, and the rest of the girls just know how to play help defense, so we can face guard and those other three girls on the court at any given time are always in the right spot,” said Nagel.  

The Eagles are coming off a 21-5 record a season ago, which ended with a loss to Bonduel in a Div. 4 Regional Final.

Auburndale JV features international trio

Up until just recently, the Eagles’ junior varsity basketball squad had among its membership three foreign exchange student/athletes from three different countries.

Juliette Mills, 17, from Orange, Australia, 160 miles west of Sydney in New South Wales, is in Auburndale until her year abroad ends Jan. 14. While there, the five-foot, nine-inch senior competed in softball, volleyball and JV basketball.

“I never had played softball, so I wanted to try a new sport,” Mills told Hub City Times on Jan. 7. “I really liked it. It was a lot of fun. Volleyball was where I made a lot of closer friends. I just like being a part of the team. And I love watching as well.”

Since Australia has only club sports that practice and play just once a week, and does not include them in their high schools, this was the first opportunity for Mills to be a part of those experiences.

“Prom was probably my favorite part of my exchange year. I really enjoyed the summer. And the Fourth of July was cool. Oh, and I really enjoyed Homecoming,” the 2025 Auburndale Homecoming Queen added. “At photos, I fell down the stairs with my heels on, and so then I didn’t wear my heels onto the stage because I didn’t want to fall down the stairs again. So my mom told everyone that I’m her barefoot queen.”

Mills has three more quarters left of high school back home.

After that, Juliette says she will pursue a career as a flight attendant.

Still a part of Auburndale’s JV team are Lola Marchand and Iris Galetto.

Marchand, 17, is from Normandy, France and in her senior year.

“Homecoming was fun. I really liked it,” said Marchand, who added all three girls especially enjoyed watching Auburndale’s football season, since it’s a sport they don’t have in their respective homelands.

Marchand, who also played volleyball, will this spring participate in track & field, which will be another new experience for her.

France, like Australia, offers sports only at the club level and not in its high schools.

Galetto, 16, is a junior from Turin in western Italy.

“Basketball is fun. I really like watching the varsity,” said Galetto, who added she enjoys practice more than the games. “The girls on the team are really nice and they try to take us in.”

Galetto said she is more of a runner and participated in cross country in the fall and will go out for track & field in the spring — two sports she also competes in back home.

“I like track better, so I’m really looking forward to it and it’s going to be a whole lot of fun,” she added. “And cross country was really fun, but I don’t really like long distance. I’m more like a short-distance person. But the (cross country) team was really fun. They’re like a second family. I really liked the girls on the team. It was amazing and I had so much fun.”

Galetto says she will focus on running the 400 and the 800 during the track season.

She will have two more years of high school left once she returns home to Italy.

After that, Iris says she will either become a teacher or study law.

“If I could, I would just run, but I don’t think I’m good enough to run for a living.”

Both Galetto and Marchand will be in Auburndale through the end of the current school year.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) – Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed Brian Keith Cochran to serve as Mercer County’s 13th Circuit Court judge.

Cochran fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William J. Sadler in December.

Cochran has served as Mercer County’s prosecuting attorney since 2020 and brings more than three decades of combined law enforcement and legal experience to the bench. He has handled a wide range of criminal and civil matters and has represented individuals, businesses, municipalities and governmental entities across West Virginia. Cochran served as city attorney for Bluefield and worked in private practice before returning to public service.

He earned his Juris Doctor from Appalachian School of Law and holds degrees in criminal justice and liberal arts from Fairmont State College, Marshall University and Glenville State College. Cochran was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in 2007.

Cochran has received awards including American Legion Police Officer of the Year and the U.S. Attorney’s Department of Justice Award for Meritorious Service. A lifelong West Virginian, he has been active in youth sports, church activities and civic life in Mercer County. He and his wife Connie have been married more than 30 years and raised three children in the county.

Cochran said he appreciates the governor’s confidence and pledged to “ensure that justice is done fairly and impartially, and to be respectful to all who come before the court in order to provide every party a full and fair opportunity to be heard.”

Cochran must run in the May 2026 election to serve the remaining seven years of Judge Sadler’s term.

Copyright 2026 WVVA. All rights reserved.

The Sports Bra Launches Playmakers to Honor Young Athletes for National Girls and Women in Sports Day

In celebration of the upcoming National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) the Playmakers initiative honors youth, high school, and collegiate athletes for the leadership, teamwork, and heart they bring to their sports and communities. Playmakers is a direct extension of The Sports Bra’s mission: to create an environment that supports, empowers, and promotes girls and women in sports and throughout the community.

Beginning now, youth league directors, athletic directors, coaches, and community and family members in Portland, as well as expansion cities Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis, are invited to nominate young women who embody the spirit of a Playmaker, someone who makes a positive impact both on and off the field, court, mat, pitch, track, pool, or wherever they play. 

“A Playmaker is someone who changes the game just by being who they are, both on and off the playing field,” said Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra. “With this initiative, we’re honoring the courage and teamwork of the next generation. These athletes are the future of the movement, and we couldn’t be prouder to shine a light on them.”

Deborah Pleva, vice president of engagement at The Sports Bra, added, “If you’ve ever watched a coach draw up a play for a team, you know that X’s and O’s are all about preparation and belief. This February, the month of love, as we celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day, those X’s and O’s mean even more: they stand for our love of the game and the girls who pour their hearts into it. With Playmakers, we are turning that love into action by shining a spotlight on the girls and women who are the future of sports.”

HOW TO NOMINATE A PLAYMAKER

Nominations are open to youth, middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes in the communities of The Sports Bra’s current and future locations. Nominations are open through Saturday, Jan. 31, with the selected Playmakers being announced on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. Submissions can be made at the forms on the Playmakers Blog.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT | PARTNERING FOR EMPOWERMENT

In Portland, The Bra is partnering with Girls on the Run Greater Oregon to highlight their shared mission to inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate their limitless potential. From Feb. 4-15, any athlete who visits The Bra will receive a small token of appreciation for their contribution and love of sports. 

Through this initiative, both organizations aim to spark a local conversation about the importance of keeping girls active and ensuring they have the visibility they deserve.

NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY

National Girls & Women in Sports Day began in 1987 to recognize women’s sports and honor Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her dedication to promoting equality in athletics. Since its beginnings, the day has become a vibrant annual movement co-founded and powered by the Women’s Sports Foundation. It honors the achievements of women athletes and leaders and acknowledges the significant impact and positive influence of sports participation. 

Participation in sports can develop the confidence and character that help girls become strong leaders in all aspects of life. Today, The Sports Bra is excited to join the nationwide celebration of NGWSD, which inspires girls and women and continues the ongoing struggle for gender equity in sports. 

“Ultimately, Playmakers is our way of ensuring the next generation knows their impact is seen and valued,” added Nguyen. “It’s our love letter to the future of women’s sports. XOXO from The Bra!”

Founded in April 2022 in Portland, Oregon, The Sports Bra is the first sports bar that exclusively televises women’s sports. In 2025, The Sports Bra announced its expansion into four additional cities, with franchise locations opening in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis. The family-friendly bar and restaurant offers great food, delicious drinks, and an inclusive space that supports, empowers, and promotes women’s athletes and girls and women in the community. Visit TheSportsBraOfficial.com to find out what’s playing and what’s on the menu.

An Israeli youth judo delegation was reportedly removed from a tournament in southern Poland on Saturday after being targeted with antisemitic chants.

The incident took place during a judo competition in the city of Bielsko-Biała, where about 90 Israeli athletes, ages 7 to 16, from three clubs had traveled to compete.

Embassy Warns of Antisemitic Harassment

The Israeli Embassy in Poland said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of abuse directed at the Israeli delegation, adding that “there is no place for violence or antisemitic slurs of any kind, particularly in sport, which should promote respect, fairness, and cooperation among nations.”

We are deeply concerned by the violent incident yesterday against the Israeli judo team, which was attacked verbally and physically during a competition in Bielsko-Biała in Poland. The Israeli competition participants were children and youth aged 7 to 16.

There is no place…

— Ambasada Izraela (@IsraelinPoland) January 11, 2026

According to accounts cited in Polish media, spectators shouted hostile slogans throughout the day. Chants were said to have included “Free Palestine” and “Look, the Jews are coming.” A witness told 247 Sports that the taunts continued during matches and distracted even the youngest competitors.

Confrontation Escalates After Appeal to Officials

As the shouting persisted, two Israeli coaches approached referees and asked them to intervene. Witnesses say the situation then escalated. A group of around 12 local men allegedly confronted the coaches and physically attacked them in front of the young athletes and spectators.

Organizers then removed the entire Israeli delegation from the competition. The team returned to its hotel and stayed there due to safety concerns.

Israeli athletes in a youth judo camp for 7-16 y.o. were attacked by Polish grown men, including 11 y.o. that was attacked while his parents are watching it live on TV.

They were pulled out from the competition and training “for their safety” Pathetic.
pic.twitter.com/zM7yeY3dgE

— Gal G., Adv 🇮🇱 (@ICK_GalG) January 11, 2026

Conflicting Accounts From Polish Officials

Local authorities and tournament officials dispute the Israeli account. A statement published on the Bielsko-Biała municipal website claimed an Israeli coach reacted aggressively to a referee’s decision. The statement said the coach entered the competition area, shouted insults, and made physical contact with the referee.

Organizers contacted police and disqualified the Israeli team, according to that account.

A spokesperson for the Bielsko Police confirmed that police spoke with those involved. He said officers noted physical contact but received no formal complaints. The parties later dispersed without charges.

Calls for Accountability and Protection

The Israeli Embassy urged Polish authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and guarantee the safety of Israeli athletes at international events. The case has renewed concern about antisemitic hostility at sporting venues, particularly when it targets children.

No independent findings have yet reconciled the sharply different versions of events. The incident remains under scrutiny as tensions continue to affect Jewish and Israeli participation in sports across Europe.

For firsthand insight into how Israeli athletes confront antisemitism on the global stage, and what young competitors can learn from it, read CAM’s exclusive interview with Peter Paltchik, a two-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated judo fighter in Israeli history.

Take Action

CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.

Key Takeaways

• Magic viewership on NBA League Pass in Germany increased 104% year-over-year, making them the most-watched team this season
• Six international partnerships announced including AIDA Cruises, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, ThreatLocker, Deutsche Telekom, and Visit Orlando
• Youth basketball programming includes Deutsche Telekom integration and coaching clinics across Berlin and London with Magic legends
• Orlando Magic Kiez debuts in Berlin as fan destination and partner activation hub at Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta Mitte
• Basketball is the fastest-growing team sport in Germany and second-most popular behind soccer

German Market Growth Fuels Partnership Expansion

The Orlando Magic are converting domestic roster decisions into international revenue opportunities. As the team prepares to play the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin on January 15 and London on January 18, the franchise announced six partnerships tied to its European presence.

The timing aligns with measurable fan growth in Germany. Magic games on NBA League Pass in Germany are up 104% year-over-year, and the team’s Instagram following from Germany increased 37% this season. Basketball now ranks as the second-most popular team sport in Germany behind soccer and is the fastest-growing team sport in the country, according to Global Web Index.

The Magic roster includes German players Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva. Franz Wagner, a Berlin native, said playing a regular-season game in his hometown “means everything to us.”

“When the Magic made its first NBA Finals appearance in the mid-1990s stacked with legendary players, Germans were already traveling to see games,” said Magic Chief Sales Officer Michael Forde. “Today, interest is significantly greater, and we will continue to build on that existing fandom.”

Six-Partner Portfolio Spans Tourism, Food Services, and Cybersecurity

The Magic’s international partnership portfolio includes Deutsche Telekom, Visit Orlando, AIDA Cruises, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, and ThreatLocker. Each partner will activate during the weeklong Global Games programming in Berlin and London.

Deutsche Telekom is hosting retail appearances with Magic legends Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw at Berlin locations, along with fan gaming experiences and youth basketball programming. AIDA Cruises will provide fan photo opportunities and giveaways at the Magic Kiez venue. Domino’s will run interactive basketball activations and offer a special pizza promotion on Magic game days for the remainder of the season.

Kellogg’s plans retail activations in Berlin with influencer-driven social content. ThreatLocker will co-host a Berlin-based B2B event with Magic leadership focused on cybersecurity and technology.

The Magic also extended their partnership with Visit Orlando, the region’s official tourism association. Visit Orlando serves as presenting partner of Magic Kiez and Global Games coverage, plus destination marketing initiatives and tourism training in both cities.

Orlando Magic Kiez Establishes Berlin Community Hub

The centerpiece of the Magic’s Berlin activation is Orlando Magic Kiez, located at Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta Mitte facility. “Kiez” is a German term commonly used in Berlin and northern Germany to describe a neighborhood or close-knit community.

The venue will host daily programming combining fan experiences, partner activations, and community basketball events. Visit Orlando’s activation includes a sun globe photo opportunity. Programming features appearances from Magic and NBA legends including Nick Anderson, Bo Outlaw, Mickaël Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, and Hedo Türkoğlu, plus STUFF the Magic Mascot.

The Magic will conduct autograph sessions, meet-and-greets, and coaching clinics across both cities throughout the week. The youth basketball programming extends the Magic’s existing community impact model, which reaches an estimated 100,000 kids annually through various programs. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation has distributed more than $31 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the past 36 years.

Business Development Programming Targets B2B Growth

Beyond fan engagement, the Magic are hosting a Business of Basketball Summit in Berlin that brings together team leadership, partners, and global sports business executives.

The summit includes a leadership conversation with Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman and Managing Director Ryan DeVos, moderated by Abe Madkour of Sports Business Journal. A commercial partnerships panel features Magic Chief Sales Officer Michael Forde, Marcus Höfl of MHM Group, and Michael Hagspihl of Deutsche Telekom. A sports marketing roundtable includes executives from PepsiCo, Kia, and AdventHealth.

ThreatLocker and the Magic will separately host a B2B event for IT and business leaders focused on cybersecurity and global business challenges.

Building on German Market Infrastructure

The Global Games build on the Magic’s existing German market infrastructure. The franchise completed its first-ever Summer Tour in Germany and works with Marcus Höfl Management as its agency of record in Germany, supporting brand marketing, event management, media strategy, and commercial partnership development.

These Berlin and London games mark the Magic’s 14th and 15th international appearances. The franchise has previously represented the NBA in Brazil, China, England, Japan, and Mexico through Global Games programming.

Franz Wagner’s comments about inspiring young players reflect the Magic’s broader youth development strategy. “We hope we can inspire kids the way we were inspired watching games from afar,” he said.

“The Magic are thrilled to have these six organizations join our partnership family and celebrate the excitement of bringing Magic basketball to Europe,” said Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman. “We are continually inspired by the passion and enthusiasm of fans across the globe.”

via: NBA / Magic

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About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.

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Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

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About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Researchers around the world, including internationally known concussion expert John J. Leddy, MD, clinical professor of orthopaedics and sports medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, have developed an easy-to-follow guide so parents and coaches can recognize concussions in young athletes and respond appropriately.

“Concussion Recognition: A Guide for Parents and Coaches,” which was published Nov. 5 in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and which is publicly available, was developed in response to concerns that because qualified athletic trainers aren’t always on hand at youth sporting events, coaches and parents should know the signs of concussion and what to do if they see them.

‘Recognize and remove’

The bottom line is “recognize and remove,” the authors say. Evidence shows that earlier recognition and removal of the athlete is correlated with a quicker return to competition.

“So if you’re telling parents that you can reduce your child’s recovery time by half, that’s probably pretty good motivation to remove them and get them into a health care provider as quick as possible,” says Leddy, who is also director of the Concussion Management and Research Center at UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

“They don’t have to diagnose it,” he says. “They just have to suspect it. If they suspect it, then the advice is to take that athlete out of the sport, remove him or her from further risk, and get them seen by a medical professional who knows how to evaluate this condition.”

Lead author Ruairi Connolly, MD, a physiatrist at Cork University Hospital in Ireland, said that while the article is based on two leading scientific documents in the field, the team purposely wrote the guide using accessible language. They collected feedback on the wording in their draft from coaches and parents before the article was published.

The article includes a QR code that links to a two-page “Concussion Recognition Tool” that can be used by non-medically trained individuals to identify and manage a suspected concussion.

Designating a parent

Co-author Jennifer Wethe, PhD, former director of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Concussion Program, suggested that parents adopt a “safety officer model” in which there is a designated parent who knows what to look for. 

“Coaches are very busy. Getting this into the hands of motivated parents is how I think this information can make it to the grassroots level,” she says. “Don’t underestimate the power of highly motivated parents who are concerned about something like this. I see a lot of explaining away injuries unless there is something very specific to follow. Parents and coaches need a protocol, something they can go through step by step.”

The researchers stress that concussions happen in many sports besides football. Wethe cited ice hockey, biking, soccer, volleyball — even cheer squad. Connolly noted rugby and something as simple as “someone falling over outside playing in the schoolyard.”

Jaclyn Stephens, PhD, co-author and Colorado State University associate professor and occupational therapist, emphasized that young women athletes also need to be considered, since some studies have shown a higher prevalence of concussion among female athletes, which may be related to differences in neck muscle strength. 

“If we only think about concussion as a professional football problem, we’re failing to consider female athletes,” she said.

Stephens and co-author Ann Guernon, PhD, an associate professor of speech-language pathology at Lewis University, recently co-chaired the Athlete Development and Sports Rehabilitation Networking Group for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. The researchers’ article is based on that definition of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, as well as the 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport.

In addition to Connolly, Guernon, Leddy, Stephens and Wethe, the authors represent a variety of fields, from physical therapists to medical doctors to neuropsychologists to speech therapists.