By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Matt Dillon, 9th year, 76-86 career record.

Coaching Staff: Zedekiah Pollock, Doug Craver, Nick Dillon, Scott Garrett, Terry Callihan.

2024-25 Record: 13-10 overall, 7-7 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division.

Returning Lettermen (6): Joe Sharish, sr.; Braedyn Walden, jr.; Cohen Richardson, jr.; Devyn Miller, soph.; Bradley Dillon, soph.; Caden Dillon, soph.

Lettermen Lost (1): Zach Keto.

League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division.

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Pirates’ offense will center on open space and motion, while the team’s primary defense is still under construction, according to head coach Matt Dillon.

“Our defense needs work and it is still a work in progress at the moment,” he said.

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“If we bond together, play together, pass the ball well and make shots. We have kids who have worked on their skill-set, the assistant coaches have done a tremendous job of helping the players improve their skills and understanding of the game. None of that will matter if our team chemistry doesn’t improve.”

GUARDS

The Pirates’ backcourt is still young, but did gain invaluable experience last year.

Southeast’s Cohen Richardson

The group features five returning lettermen and not one of them is a senior.

Juniors Braedyn Walden and Cohen Richardson, along with sophomores Caden Dillon, Bradley Dillon and Micah Craver all return to spark Southeast’s decision making and scoring attack.

Richardson has been a regular in the starting lineup since his freshman season. He averaged 9.6 points per game as a freshman, then jumped up to 18.4 points per game last season. He ranked second in Portage County last year with 77 free throws made and rebounding  at 9.0 per game, and he was fourth in the county with 68 3-pointers.

Walden is a lefty, who is shifty and quick. He can get into the lane to create and is also capable of burying shots from the perimeter.

Bradley Dillon and Caden Dillon are both quality ball-handlers, shot makers and have high basketball IQs. 

Craver is another wing-style player who has the potential to expand his offensive game this season.

“We have a group of guards that we believe have improved immensely. Hopefully, that improvement continues. The coaching staff is looking forward to watching them blend together during the season.”

FORWARDS

The position’s core includes senior Joe Sharish, junior Calan Garrett and sophomores Tyler Shaw and Devyn Miller.

There is a lot of length and activity within the group and Sharish returns as the team’s second-leading rebounder. He averaged 6.1 per game last year.

“These players will help us at the position. We are rebounding better and they are a big reason for that. We need them to continue to develop as complete basketball players.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

“We are young. We have only one senior starting, so we will rely on many underclassmen.”

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We don’t have any easy games. The players must understand the need to play with consistency and do things right every day.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“LaBrae will be very good, Newton Falls is always good. Honestly, the league is very balanced. We have zero easy games in our league.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Assistant coach Zedekiah “Zeddie” Pollock threw for 4,159 career yards as Mogadore’s quarterback and also scored 1,060 points and won the Portage Trail Conference County Division Player of the Year honor his 2014-15 senior season.