By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Marlon Jones

5th year

38-52 career record

THE TEAM

League: Metro Athletic Conference.

Coaching Staff: Davante McKinney, Michael Boltz, Jordan Jones.

2023-24 Record: 4-19 overall, 2-12 MAC.

Returning Lettermen (4): Bryant Thompson, sr.; Nigil Willams, sr.; CJ Ross, jr.; Jaxon Kelly, sr.

Lettermen Lost (3): Dylan Carrozzi, Dean Baker, Luke Scherick.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Ravens return some athletic talent and will look to use it to their advantage by playing uptempo on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, the team will look to speed you up with pressure defense.

Offensively, through turnovers and rebounds, they will push the ball up the court to look for easier baskets in transition.

When in the halfcourt, the Ravens’ offense will be designed to create mismatches and working the ball inside-out.

Ultimately, though, the team’s success, according to coach Marlon Jones, will be through chemistry.

“We have to play together, and we have to play for each other.”

GUARDS

The team has experience, with Williams and Thompson returning after being key pieces in last year’s backcourt.

Williams can do a little bit of everything. He is athletic and has length to help on the defensive side of the court, while also possessing the ability to boost his scoring output to help on offense.

Thompson has incredible speed, as well as being able to hit from the outside and move the ball with court vision.

Ty’kwan Ward and Sean Jordan are expected to be part of the rotation and add depth.

FORWARDS

Ross was one of the team’s leading scorers a year ago and will be expected to duplicate that output again this year.

He is quick, athletic and plays with confidence.

Kelly will be counted on to rebound and defend, while also being a playmaker on offense.

Overall, the frontcourt rotation will be a little light this season, which will play into the team’s outlook to move the ball up the court to take advantage of their speed.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Connor Welling, soph.; CJ Ross, jr.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Coach Jones’ top worry is the team’s lack of size and how it may impact them as the season goes on.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“I feel like the league is wide open this season.”