By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Russ Swartz

36th year (16th at Mogadore)

501-319 career record (279-113 at Mogadore)

THE TEAM

League: Portage Trail Conference.

Coaching Staff: Rod Swartz, JV; Anthony Ricci, assistant.

2023-24 Record: 21-4 overall; 9-1 PTC.

Returning Lettermen (3): Nick Stephenson, sr.; Karson Jaber, sr.; Demitri Blagojevic, sr.

Lettermen Lost (6): Layne Miller, Corey Lehner, Lucas Butler, Devin Graham, Tanner Buso, CJ Westfall.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“Once again, our offense will rely on player movement and ball movement — and the ability of our players to make shots on a consistent level,” veteran coach Russ Swartz said.

A key to the team’s success, according to Swartz, will be “if and when” a group of inexperienced players “learn to make plays at the varsity level.”

Last year’s JV team posted a 15-3 record, which provides promise for the program’s future, “but making the jump from JV to varsity basketball is not always easy,” Swartz said.

Overall, Mogadore graduated 85 percent of its offense from last year’s Portage Trail Conference championship squad.

GUARDS

It will be an entirely new starting backcourt for the Cats, with only one returning letterman in Jaber.

Jaber can shoot from the perimeter and will occasionally slash to the basket for points.

Joining him in the backcourt will be the combination of juniors Jude Thiry, Trent Hershberger and Gavin Gardner, along with sophomore Landon Shaffer.

FORWARDS

A multitude of new faces are also found in the frontcourt.

Blagojevic brings the most experience, but will be joined by juniors Jordan Smith and Dylan Hartung.

CENTERS

Stephenson, who is 6-foot-4, will be a three-year letterman and played a vital role last season for the title-winning Cats.

He averaged 8.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per game.

He is poised for a breakout season.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Jordan Smith, jr.; Jude Thiry, jr.; Gavin Gardner, soph.; Landon Shaffer, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of varsity experience is a major concern. Nick is going to be a leader, because he is our only player with a lot of varsity experience. We need our inexperienced players to step up early if we want to continue our success.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“Our league is a very good small-school basketball league. Warren JFK, Lake Center Christian and St. Thomas Aquinas always have good teams.”