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WHEELING -- The 2023-24 season for the Wheeling Park Patriots affords another chance for coach Michael Jebbia's team to compete against some of the best teams in the state, and to right the wrongs of a season which ended in devastating fashion in the regional championship.
"We had a heartbreaking loss last year, and this year we're looking to play fast, we've got some really good shooters and we're very athletic all-around," junior Aiden Davis said. "We're looking to use that and make it down to the state tournament this year."
After being on the wrong end of a game-winning shot against Bridgeport in the Class AAAA Region II championship, the Patriots have some shoes to fill with a new roster, but also have returning bright spots, starting at the point guard position.
"We graduated five key seniors, a little bit of our height too," Wheeling Park head coach Michael Jebbia said. "We had a good year last year, won 16 games, six of our losses were to Morgantown and Parkersburg South, the two teams who've played for the state title the last two years.
"We do bring back three key guys led by Aiden Davis, who was second team all-state last year as a sophomore, had an incredible season, 89 3-pointers, really a complete player. He's even stronger this year and he's really improved."
Davis averaged 20.3 points per game last year, and shot 41.8% from distance.
The other returning starter is Mykel Davis, while the first man off the bench, Amare Johnson, looks to take strides in his sophomore season.
"Mykel Davis is a 6-foot-2 senior forward, started last year, averaged around 11 a game," Jebbia said. "Rebounded for us, but we'll probably need him to rebound even more because we graduated a little bit of our height. You've seen him play football, he's a gifted athlete, he can get to the hole and he made some 3-pointers last year once he got his legs going."
"Mykel Davis is probably the No. 1 high-jumper in the state right now, we're lucky to have him down low fighting for rebounds," Aiden Davis said. "He had four dunks in a game last year and we're looking to have a lot more of those this year."
As for Johnson, he ended up in a different role by the end of his freshman year than the start of it, and his role could continue to expand at the start of this year.
"Amare Johnson is a 5-foot-11 sophomore who started with the JV last year but really kept progressing and ended up being the sixth man for us," Jebbia said. "He played really well."
Outside of that trio, Jebbia sees offseason training letting the cream rise to the top.
"Those three guys we know about, but we're still feeling out four, five, six, seven, eight," Jebbia said. "Landon Lewis is a senior, part of the varsity last year, 6-foot-3 inside-outside guy that we're going to be counted on. Kaiden Davis is another one, 5-foot-11 senior, just a tough kid, he'll give you minutes, good defender. Then we have a transfer from East Richland Christian Ohio, JD Williams, a sophomore who can shoot the ball very well."
"We have three good guys that can score the ball, three really good players, we're going to need contributions from other guys. It'll be interesting to see who steps up here."
While the team hierarchy may not be set in stone, the Patriots see plenty of strengths among their still-forming group.
"I think we have a lot more guys that can create with the ball, last year we were a little down on that, still had some really good players, but this year we have a lot of guys that can make some 3's, make some tough shots," Aiden Davis said.
"Their ability to drive the ball to the hole, and Aiden Davis set a school record for 3-pointers last season, and from the point guard position. Mykel and Amare are both capable of making treys, I think that is going to be a strength of ours, and those guys can also drive the ball to the hole," Jebbia said. "We don't want to be a team that fully falls in love with the 3 because you can make them or you can miss them, and when you're playing a good team and you miss them, they're going the other way. We want to get it inside when we can."
After being a key duo for the Wheeling Park football team, the two highest returning scorers are excited to bring their law firm to the hardwood too.
"We're still waiting for the year to start, but right now this team looks really good, you can tell just by seeing everybody putting shots up," Mykel Davis said. "We're focused on getting prepared and ready from the opening tip. Get ready for the Davis & Davis connection."
Jebbia enters his 18th season as head coach of the Patriots. He is assisted by Gene Ammirante, Jerry Ammirante and Shaun Black. Zach Phillips and Michael Thomas coach the freshmen team.