By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Gavin English

1st year

0-0 career record

THE TEAM

League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division.

Coaching Staff: John Herchek, Joe Ganoe, Navarre Alhassan.

2023-24 Record: 15-7 overall; 11-3 MVAC.

Returning Lettermen (4): Gage Hawley, Landon McClain, Trevor Simons, Luke Thomas.

Lettermen Lost (4): Jackson Eichler, Kyle Werbeck, Drew Flarida, Kaii Warren.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Details will be a key to the Vikings’ season.

On offense, that applies to being able to control the tempo.

On defense, that applies to playing up to capabilities.

“We only have one returning starter from last year so being able to be patient and take shots from within our offense, instead of trying to create our own will be a big key,” first year head coach Gavin English said.

“We also have to defend the way we are capable of. Being able to create and capitalize on turnovers will be one of our biggest goals of the season,” English added.

English takes over the program from Jason Wise, who resigned after 11 seasons as the Vikings’ head coach.

English, 21, is a 2021 Waterloo graduate.

GUARDS

Three senior lettermen return in Simons, McClain and Thomas.

“We are going to rely on Trevor to be one of our primary scorers. Landon is, by far, our best defender, and he can score when the opportunities present themselves. He welcomes the challenge of defending the other team’s best player every night.

“Luke is our utility player. He does everything we ask him and more.”

Isaac Hall and Haiden Bryan are new faces to the varsity roster, but will contribute quality minutes off the bench.

Keyshawne Anderson and Kade Thomas, both sophomores, are described by English as promising guards, who can make an impact.

FORWARDS

Hawley is the team’s only returning starter from a year ago.

He averaged 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds and English said he “expects Hawley to lead us on both ends of the floor.”

Hawks is quick and strong and will prove most valuable in pressuring teams defensively.

Matthew Ralston returns to the program after not playing the previous couple of years.

“We expect him to play as a big man, with explosive abilities at both ends of the floor.”

CENTERS

Sophomore Evan Gallagher worked hard in the off-season to prepare himself to contribute at the varsity level this season.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Mason Biltz, soph.; Jayden Martin, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of varsity experience. We only have one returning starter from last year on a team that only played six deep. We are going to have to be able to adjust on the fly and learn quickly without much room for error.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

English feels that Campbell Memorial is the “heavy favorite in the MVAC.”

“They made the jump to the Scarlett tier this season. Springfield Local is always a top contender, as well. Expect McDonald and Western Reserve to make a splash this season after impressive seasons last year with a bunch of young talent. Jackson-Milton also returns a very talented contender for MVAC Player of the Year.”