By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Nick Marcini, 15th year, 209-136 career record.

Coaching Staff: Bruce Thomas, Phil Starks, Tyler Shank, Ron Estes, Stephen Laird.

2024-25 Record: 21-4 overall, 13-1 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (4): Ethan Laryea, sr.; Janiere Cook, sr.; Braden Hodge, sr.; PJ Robinson, jr.

Lettermen Lost (6): Jack Batten, Charles Ivory, Jackson Gula, Trevor Murray, Preston Laryea, Miles Kobie.

League: Metro Athletic Conference.

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Rockets want to get up and down, using defensive pressure to produce transition offense.

“We want to get out in transition and play fast,” longtime head coach Nick Marcini said.

When Streetsboro needs to set up in the halfcourt, it will run an open-post offense.

Defensively, expect the Rockets to pressure and do it by using the entire court.

“We will also mix in some zone pressure and a matchup zone, too.”

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“We can defend and rebound the ball and, of course, stay healthy.”

Streetsboro’s Ryan Roscoe rises for a layup attempt against Mogadore’s Landon Shaffer.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

GUARDS

The starting backcourt from the past three seasons has graduated in Jack Batten and Charles Ivory. With it, leaves a void in scoring and playmaking that will need to be filled for the Rockets.

The top candidate to lead that is senior Ethan Laryea, who was a key contributor last season and earned Honorable Mention All-Metro Athletic Conference last year. He averaged 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game a year ago.

“Ethan has been our sixth man the last two seasons. He will now start at the point. He is a very smooth player, who is extremely intelligent and unselfish. He is a versatile defender, who will guard 1 through 5. He impacts the game in so many different ways.”

Two other returning lettermen, senior Braden Hodge and junior PJ Robinson, will also be important pieces this season.

“Braden plays with a lot of energy and is a very good athlete. He can really fill it up from the outside.”

Robinson’s promising sophomore season was cut short by an injury, but is “back and ready to go,” according to Marcini.

“PJ can score it from all three levels. He is a long defender and has very good instincts on the court.”

Also working to get time in the backcourt are senior Manny Gibson and juniors Adrian Monroe, Kyler Jackson and Marcus Council.

FORWARDS

The inexperienced Rockets return only one starter from last year and that is senior Janiere Cook, who averaged 4.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game last year.

“Janiere is a very strong and physical player, who can guard players much taller than him. He has the versatility to guard multiple positions. He is very intelligent and athletic and just flat out plays hard.”

Senior Ryan Roscoe will also step forward into a bigger role. He is an athletic wing, who can score.

“He is very dangerous in the open court. He is a slasher by trade, but he has really worked at improving his outside shot in the off-season.”

Another senior, Chris Grabill, is also a strong and physical player, who gets in the mix by simply playing hard, and he has the ability to guard multiple positions.

Other forwards include senior Gurmehar Chima, junior Kyle Giacomo and junior Jake Szczecinski.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Dallas Morris, soph.; Alan Podboy, soph.; Darnell Brown, soph.; Jake Anderson, soph.; Christian Hunter, soph.

“All of them have the ability to help out at some point this season.”

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our overall size and health to start the season.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“Norton and Woodridge will be really good this season. Hopefully, we can hang around long enough to have a say. Field has a nice group of young players coming up. And with four new coaches in the league, it could get interesting.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The Rockets have two assistant coaches who have previous head coaching experience in Bruce Thomas (Streetsboro) and Phil Starks (Ravenna).