Young Cuyahoga Falls boys basketball squad ready for conference shift

Moving from the National Conference to the American Conference in the rugged Suburban League will help Cuyahoga Falls boys basketball.

That said, his may be one of those seasons that it may not immediately show up in the win-loss column.

Falls is young and has some inexperience with no returning starters coming back from last year’s 3-14 squad.

A deep senior class has departed with Kyler Tepus, Trinny Henderson, Zander Miller, Brennen Guerin, Isaiah Campbell, Nick Hyder and David Rinehart.

Third year head coach Todd Taylor will miss his dynamic back court in Tepus and Henderson, who made first and second team all-league respectively. Tepus was an honorable mention Division I All-District player.

Guerin was honorable mention all-league while Campbell, Miller, and the others had loads of experience.

“We are so young and inexperienced at the varsity level so we are looking for consistency,” explained the optimistic Taylor.

Taylor does have three letter winners back to head the Black Tigers and consistency will play a huge role.

“Consistent effort, consistent practices, consistent attitude and if we can improve on our consistency day in and day out, we will put ourselves in a position to be successful,” pointed out Taylor, who is assisted by Kevin Alleyne (varsity assistant), Sean Eckert (junior varsity head coach), and Andrew Albright (head freshman coach).

Returning letter winners are senior Jayden Hillier, sophomore Tim Mitchell, and sophomore Bryce Smith.

Looking to have loads more responsibility this year will be Hillier, a 6-0 off guard.

Last year, Hillier averaged 7.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in the player rotation and also earned a few starts. Hillier is a strong shooter who can shoot the 3-pointer and he will have an increased scoring role this winter.

“Jayden will be starting shooting guard,” noted Taylor. “He is a very good shooter and has ability to get to the basket. Last year, Jayden was our sixth man with some spot starts.”

Hillier showed his potential last year with career highs of 24 points and five 3-pointers, plus six rebounds and four steals in an 81-57 win over the Academy for Urban Scholars for Youngstown.

Mitchell also saw action in the rotation last year as a freshman. He was used at small forward, the wing, and at power forward. He contributed 2.0 points and 2.0 boards a game.

This year, the energetic 6-0 Mitchell will be the point guard and his role will be massive. He will guide the offense and pass the ball, but will also help out on the glass, on defense and in scoring.

“Tim played forward last year, but has transitioned into our point guard this year,” emphasized Taylor. “Tim brings an excellent work ethic and motor that does not turn off.”

Smith is back after seeing plenty of action last year off the bench and at the JV level. The undersized 5-10 wing added 1.0 points, 1.0 boards, and solid defense. Smith is versatile and active on the court.

“Bryce bounced back and forth between JV and varsity last year,” offered Taylor. “Bryce is a very good athlete that can finish at the basket with either hand, plus the ability to knock down the outside shot.”

Another athlete who saw limited action last year was sophomore Le’Aaron Austin. A 6-4 post, Austin adds much-needed size, plus he is versatile, and has the ability to score.

“A post player, Le’Aaron brings a dimension we haven’t had the last few years and that’s a player that can post up in the paint, but also can step away from the basket create shots for others or himself,” remarked Taylor.

Other top newcomers, according to Taylor, include senior Carter Jagger, junior Matt Pelfrey, senior Tyler Cargould, sophomore Justice Wilkes, and sophomore Drew Huffman.

Jagger is a 6-4 forward-post, who will help the frontline immediately along with Pelfrey, a 6-1 post-forward.

“Carter has grown into his body and is taking advantage, finishing at the basket, rebounding and altering the opponents shot down low,” commented Taylor.

“Matt gives us nice depth underneath with defending, rebounding and has improved on finishing around the basket with both hands,” said the Black Tiger coach.

Cargould (5-10 guard), Wilkes (6-3 wing-forward), and Huffman (6-4 wing-forward) will also help on the perimeter and with their versatility.

“A shooting guard, Tyler has shown steady improvement throughout the pre-season being more aggressive with the ball and defending the ball,” stressed Taylor.

Wilkes and Huffman bring more size and versatility.

“Justice (Wilkes) continues to improve each scrimmage and is doing the little things we ask of him,” said Taylor. “He is also scoring better and rebounding the ball. Justice has the ability to play multiple spots on the floor for us.”

“Drew (Huffman) is a very good offensive player with the ability to knock down jumpers and finish at the basket,” expressed Taylor. “Drew is improving on his defense and showing a real knack to get offensive rebounds.”

Lineups and the player rotation will be fluctuating early on in the season for the Black Tigers.

Other players in the mix for varsity are senior guard Gavin Stadelman (5-11), senior guard Christian Dortch (5-9), senior guard Charles Payne (5-10), senior wing Jaiden Porinchak (5-11), and junior wing-forward Karim Baparape (6-2).

“All four scrimmages have been very competitive and we have had success, but then we lose our focus and struggle at times,” said Taylor, of his club’s youth and inexperience.

“It is a good bunch of guys to be around and I am looking forward to watching them grow throughout the season,” observed Taylor.

The SLAC will be a heated race with Copley, Barberton, Medina Highland and Richfield Revere, among others. Last year in the SLNC, Falls finished in last place.

Tallmadge is another club to watch with a slew of returnees, including first-team SLAC standout Collin Dixon and 6-2, 220-pound Stow transfer Desmond Copeland. Kent Roosevelt also has athletes back.

Falls is scheduled to open league action Dec. 10 on the road at Revere. Tip-off will be 8 p.m.

“First year for us on the American side so it will be an adjustment for all of us,” pointed out Taylor. “Recently, Copley and Revere have had a lot of success and made district runs. I would expect the two of them to have a say in who wins the league this year. The league overall should be very balanced this year.”

“From what I can gather, Tallmadge and Kent bring quite a bit back,” he added. “It will probably be very similar to the National the last couple years in that you better bring your A-game or you’re going to get knocked off. It will be a challenge for us this year, but like most, it’s a challenge we welcome and looking forward to competing each time we step on the floor.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Young Cuyahoga Falls boys basketball squad ready for conference shift