By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Gavin English, 2nd year, 4-19 career record.

Coaching Staff: Joe Ganoe, Kyle Shockley, Navarre Alhassan.

2024-25 Record: 4-19 overall, 3-13 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division.

Returning Lettermen (3): Isaac Hall, sr.; Haiden Bryan, sr.; Evann Gallagher, jr.

Lettermen Lost (6): Gage Hawley, Matt Ralston, Trevor Simons, Drew Hawks, Landon McClain, Luke Thomas.

League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division.

TEAM OUTLOOK

Everything will start on the defensive end for the Vikings.

Second-year head coach Gavin English wants his group to be physical and apply pressure on ball-handlers to create chaos and turnovers.

“We will rely on our defense to help create for us offensively,” English said.

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“If we continue to improve each and every day. We have a young core, with each of our starting five not having started a varsity game before. If we get better every time we step onto the court, it will help us reach our end goal in the near future — an MVAC championship.”

GUARDS

An inexperienced backcourt will be led by a committee of players, with plenty of opportunities for roles to be established.

Junior Mason Biltz will be one of the team’s primary ball-handlers, playing off the ball.

“Mason can score the basketball and also loves to facilitate for others.”

Sophomore Trevor Flarida will serve as the team’s point guard. He can handle the ball well, has good court vision and is also capable of putting in points from multiple spots on the floor.

Junior Keyshawn King is described by English as “by far our best athlete.”

“Keyshawn can be a threat at both ends of the floor. He has super quick hands and feet.”

Senior Haiden Bryan has the ability to heat up from long distances and is expected to be a “big piece of the offense,” according to English.

Juniors Matthew Wolfe and Jamie Vongsakeo are also expected to make contributions this season.

“Matthew had a really good summer and will get varsity time. Jamie really improved his shot over the summer and is expected to be a scoring threat.”

FORWARDS

Seniors Isaac Hall and Charles Kalail, along with junior Gabe Kachner, are the leading players in the frontcourt.

“Isaac is more of a utility guy, but he can score anywhere and can also defend positions 1 through 5. Charles has really improved his shot over the summer and should be a nice asset for us.

“Gabe had another good off-season, and he has good footwork in the post. He has a lot to offer for the varsity rotation.”

CENTERS

Juniors Jayden Martin and Evann Gallagher will man the post for the Likes.

“Jayden has come a long way this off-season, and we need our offense to run through him.

“Evann is coming off an ankle injury fro soccer, but we hope to get him back into the rotation sooner rather than later. He is one of our most experienced varsity players.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Mason Long, soph.

“Mason has quickly made strides this year to grow as a player.”

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of varsity experience,” said English, whose team does not return a starter from last season.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“The MVAC is wide open. Campbell Memorial and McDonald are the early favorites.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Every member on the coaching staff is a Waterloo graduate: Gavin English (Class of 2021), Joe Ganoe (2009), Kyle Shockley (2021) and Navarre Alhassan (2023).