By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Alex Blake, 3rd season, 13-33 career record.

Coaching Staff: Nick Pollack, JV; Matt Farley, assistant; Ryan Stutzman, assistant.

2024-25 Record: 9-14 overall; 4-10 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (3): Joey Conroy, sr.; Sam Confer, sr.; Trevor Dixon, sr.

Lettermen Lost (5): Ben Stayer, Alec Grimm, Grady Eader, Brayden Ronowski, Landon Wilmoth.

League: Metro Athletic Conference.

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Falcons had four of their five starters graduate, leaving them young and inexperienced overall.

It doesn’t change the style of play that third-year head coach Alex Blake wants to play, however.

Blake wants his Falcons to get out in transition and use their speed to set up easy scoring opportunities.

They have the athletes to help answer that request, but a lack of depth could impact conditioning.

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“We need to look for the extra man in space, move well without the ball and knock down uncontested shots,” Blake said.

GUARDS

Joey Conroy returns as the leader of the backcourt.

JOEY CONROY

The senior earned a varsity letter last year and plays with speed and energy on both ends of the court. He will be the team’s starting point guard.

Three newcomers will be a core part of the rotation in senior Brian Fox and freshmen Paxson Silveus and Mason Fulst.

Fox is one of the team’s better overall spot-up shooters, especially when he gets into a rhythm.

Silveus and Fulst helped lead the middle school teams to league titles in both their seventh- and eighth-grade years.

The duo bring a skill-set across multiple areas that could allow them to make instant impacts this season.

Sophomore Tyler Stelzer also adds depth. He is a good ball-handler and will be able to provide backup minutes to the group of starters.

FORWARDS

Senior Trevor Dixon is the team’s only returning starter from a year ago. He is an athletic wing, who can impact the game with his length and leaping ability.

Jackson Berlin, a junior, will step into an expanded role this season. He has size and plays aggressively.

CENTERS

Senior Sam Confer is one of only three returning lettermen for the Falcons.

He is a smart and team-first player, who is consistent and solid on both ends of the floor.

Confer has the ability to be a top-level rebounder and can score both on the perimeter, in the post or cleaning up rebounds.

Senior Evan Pruszynski adds depth. He plays with a high motor, is long and athletic. He returned to basketball last season after many years off, but has worked hard to close the development gap and could play a big factor for the Falcons as an energy player.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Tyler Stelzer, soph.; Mason Fulst, fresh.; Paxson Silveus, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our overall depth, as well as our speed of play, considering we have so many new athletes to the varsity level.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Blake points to Norton and Streetsboro as the top-two teams in the league this season.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Falcons have set a goal to become the first in the program since the 2017-18 season to win double-digit games.