By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Cody Apthorpe, 4th year, 34-37 career record.

Coaching Staff: Terry Peterson, JV; Jeff Kiser, assistant; Dave Apthorpe, assistant.

2024-25 Record: 11-12 overall, 8-7 Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (4): Matt Kolaczek, sr.; Gavin Kiser, sr.; Dejuan Ramsey, jr.; Keegan Kiser, soph.

Lettermen Lost (6): Carlos Bruton, Nick Hopper, Jayquon Smith, Brandon Petrich, Dylan McCune, Brian King.

League: Northeastern Athletic Conference.

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Bombers want to unleash a fast-paced open-style offense.

“We want to give our playmakers room to create,” head coach Cody Apthorpe said.

Defensively, the team will work through a variety of looks, including full-court pressure, man-to-man and zones.

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“We need to get organized and connected with each other on the offensive end of the floor. We also need to play with a high intensity on the defensive end with effort on and off the ball.”

GUARDS

Leadership and production graduated with Carlos Bruton, Nick Hopper and Jayquon Smith, but the Bombers do return three lettermen.

Junior Dejuan Ramsey is very athletic, with great quickness.

“He can be a menacing on-ball defender and has the ability to get to the rim offensively.”

Sophomore Keegan Kiser earned a major role last year and is expected to grow again this season.

“Keegan has a high basketball IQ and shows great poise for being a sophomore. We are looking forward to his first all-varsity season.”

Senior Gavain Kiser is described as “scrappy” by Apthorpe. He also has the ability to get hot shooting from the outside.

“Gavin will be a primary ball-handler for us this year. He shows grit on the defensive end of the floor.”

FORWARDS

The frontcourt will be inexperienced overall, but are led by returning starter Matt Kolaczek, who has been a varsity contributor since his freshman season.

“Matt has been a presence inside for us the last two seasons. We are looking for him to have a big senior year for us.”

Louden Collins and Ethan Thornton are two others who are expected to step into more expansive roles this season.

“Louden is a physical senior who plays hard and will have offensive and defensive contributions this year. Ethan is an athletic senior who can play both outside and inside. We are looking forward to him having a breakthrough season.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Keegan Kiser, soph.; Devin Sherman, soph.; Michael Bolyard, soph.; Camden Batterij, soph.; Camden Witherspoon, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“If we fail to utilize our teammates on the offensive end. If we fail to bring high intensity and don’t commit to day-to-day schemes on the defensive end.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“Bristol is the team in our division of the league that will be tough to get through. On the other side of the league, Grand Valley, Fairport and Py Valley will all be tough opponents as well.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Windham has the second-most 1,000-point scorers in Portage County history with 12 (Mogadore has 16). The school’s all-time career scoring leader is Joe Fabry with 1,737 points. The other standouts who have reached the scoring milestone include: Mason Angle, Bert Jones, Matt Knight, Phil Workman, Brian Kiser, Ian McGuire, Carlos Bruton, Chase Eye, current head coach Cody Apthorpe, Parker Rickey and Mikilyen Jones.