Trending
WHEELING - It's not very often that the Wheeling Central boys basketball team finds itself in a rebuilding mode. The youthful Maroon Knights will be in 2022-23.
Faced with the loss of four standouts who picked up their diplomas last May, coupled with another four who decided to not return to the program, veteran head coach Mel Stephens and his coaching staff only return one player who saw significant playing time.
"This is the youngest and least experienced team I've ever had here," Stephens pointed out. "We always seem to have a good nucleus of players return every year, but not this year."
Lost to graduation were leading scorer and all-stater Ryan Reasbeck, three-sport standout Michael Toepfer, rebounder Caleb Ratcliffe and Mason Palmer. Reasbeck is now playing at Wheeling University.
Not wearing Maroon and White this season are Leyton Toepfer, Peyton Toepfer, Lorenzo Ferrera and Amir Maltony. According to Stephens, the Toepfer's transferred to Brooke, Ferrera just didn't want to play and Maltony will play at McGuffey (Pa.).
Back for another season is the lone senior, Paxton Marling (6-2); juniors Quinton Burlenski (6-2); and Jeremy Ratcliffe (6-2). Burlenski will be the Maroon Knights' go-to player as he averaged double figures on last year's West Virginia Class A state runnersup.
"Quinton was huge for us last year," Stephens said of the transfer from Bridgeport. "He is such a good kid, and with us only having one senior, he is going to have to provide a lot of leadership. He has shown that during the summer and so far in the preseason with Paxton being at football.
"He adapted to his role really well last season, but now that role will be increased with all the personnel we lost," Stephens noted. "He'll be up to it. He's already become more vocal. He's taking the bull by the horns."
Marling will be Wheeling Central's inside player and will be counted on for rebound and scoring, as well as toughness.
"Paxton got a little playing time last year and will have to be our physical presence inside this year," Stephens said. "He has shown senior leadership in football and I look for him to carry that over into basketball."
Ratcliffe will also be counted on to provide depth along the front line.
"Jeremy got some varsity experience last year, but not much. He'll have to step up his game.
"Basically, other than those three, we're going to have all new guys at the varsity level," Stephens added. "To their credit, they played well over the summer and they have great attitudes. I think that comes from their youth and the excitement of playing at a high level."
Another player Stephens is counting on is sophomore Troy Anthony (6-2).
"Troy got some playing time last season, as well, but not a ton," the coach said. "Like Jeremy, he needs to step up this season."
When asked what the outlook is for the upcoming season, Stephens summed it up quickly with the season-ending knee injury suffered by freshman Eli Sancomb (6-3)..
"I would have felt a lot better if Eli were able to play. He hurt his knee playing football and will be out for the year."
However, if there is a silver lining to the injury, Stephens said it is when the injury occurred.
"If there is anything good about the injury, it is that it happened when it did and not now," Stephens said. "We knew coming into practice that he wasn't going to be here, so the guys knew they had to step it up, and they have."
Completing the roster are juniors Eli Dean (6-2) and Isaac Schmitt (6-2), along with sophomores Tyler Dean (5-10), Dom Gianangeli (5-10), Braxton Billick (5-10) and Von Crall (6-1); and freshman Max Olejasz (6-4).
The Maroon Knights will basically play the same schedule as in the past. East Liverpool is new to the slate, while Dover is back on after being canceled by weather last year.
"We've got a good mix of OVAC schools. We still play the Linsly's and the Shadyside's. We've got Harrison Central again and we play Union Local in the Buckeye 8 event at Harrison Central," he added. "I think we will be able to compete despite our youth against a tough schedule."
As always, Wheeling Central has two main goals going into each season, this one being no different.
"First, we want to get in the top 4 of the OVAC Class AA and then try to win it, and then we want to get to Charleston for the state tournament," he continued.
To accomplish those goals, the Maroon Knights are going to have to overcome their lack of height.
"Without much size we are going to have to rebound as a team," he stressed. "You have to be able to get defensive rebounds, so all five guys on the floor are going to have to buy into it."
Stephens is assisted by Tyler Morando, Lance Bibey and Boyd Bibey.
"They do an excellent job of getting the guys prepared and in scouting," the head coach praised.