NW boys seek to extend team's winning legacy

CHESTERTOWN | With the graduation last June of eight senior members of the 2024-25 North Warren basketball team including state record-breaking player Wyatt Jennings — and the departure of shooting sensation Semaj Cuyler, a ninth grader who amassed 1,000-plus points midway through his freshman year — you'd think that his father, six-year coach James Cuyler, would have a tough time assembling a team for this season. However, due to the team's string of championships and the Cougars' coaching culture, prospects for the 2025-26 team remain bright, as its roster has 15 players, most of whom have gained valuable court experience. SEMAJ, WYATT DEPART Since late August, Semaj Cuyler has been playing for the nationally-ranked Bella Vista College Preparatory School, which trains outstanding high school basketball players for success not only at the college level, but also for professional basketball. When North Warren won their first-ever state championship in 2024, Jennings broke a state tournament record by sinking nine three-point shots, earning the title of tournament MVP. Throughout that season, Semaj Cuyler was the high scorer, averaging 20.6 points per game as an eighth grader. Since his basketball debut as a seventh grader, Semaj collected many MVP titles and All-Star awards — local, league and statewide. COUGARS' LEADERS Leading this season's team are a trio of players who experienced postseason action in that 2023-24 year: seniors Coleman Swartz and Dan Mattison, and sophomore Brodie Rooker. Last week, Cuyler said these three players will be mentoring the many other team members. "I'm looking to these guys to provide leadership," coach Cuyler said, noting that Swartz has been one of the team's best shooters — he shot four of his teams 10 three-pointers scored in the first quarter of a 2024 Section II championship game against Loudonville Christian, and the victory secured the Cougars third Sectional title in four years and was a key game in their campaign to the state championship. A skilled defender, Swartz also routinely guards the opposing team's best player. "Coleman's a warrior for us," coach Cuyler said. Rooker is also a skilled shooter, as last season he hit a key shot in a victory that moved the Cougars into Section II Class C's Final Four. Earlier last year, he shot 16 to 20 points in several games, Cuyler recalled. "Brodie's going to be an important player for us," Cuyler said. Mattison is versatile: he's expected to score and provide strong defense, the coach added. "We're looking for him to be an all-around player, doing whatever the team needs," Cuyler said. TALENTED TEAMMATES Also returning is senior AJ Masiello, one of the taller players at six-feet-five, and Cuyler said AJ will be scoring inside, defending "in the paint," and rebounding. "We're looking for a big year from him," the coach said. Cuyler added that senior Will Lindsley is also versatile, and he's aggressive in gaining ball possession. "Will is a hustle-type player who dives for loose balls, sacrificing his body," whether it occurs while rebounding or on defense, Cuyler said. Another veteran is senior Connor Clench-Matteo. Cuyler said Connor will be an interior player, scoring and rebounding. "Connor is our 'big body' down low," Cuyler said. "We're looking for a big year from him." KEY TO TEAM: VARSITY ROOKIES Newcomers to the team include sophomore Chase Scheidegger, who was drafted this year from the Cougars junior varsity team on which he was a top scorer. Last season in his first varsity game ever, Chase scored 11 points, Cuyler recalled, noting that he can score inside, hit midrange shots, sink treys, rebound, and play solid defense. Chase's classmate Beckett Kelly, the 2024-25 junior varsity point guard, will play the same role on varsity, coach Cuyler said. "Chase is a good, crafty guard," he said, noting that the sophomore can score from virtually anywhere on the court, as well as serving as an effective defender, focusing on opposing teams' guards. Another sophomore drafted from junior varsity is Mihir Patel, another top scorer on the North Warren JV squad. Cuyler said Patel is versatile on offense, skilled at passing and attacking the basket. "He's very talented," Cuyler said. Junior Patrick Viele has similar skills, according to Cuyler. "Patrick does everything: he can play the wing, compete down low, hit the threes, and rebound for us," Cuyler said. "He's like a Swiss Army Knife." Junior George Hilton has been chosen as the backup point guard and a key defender, Cuyler said. "Hilton can knock down midrange shots, three-pointers and he's an 'on-ball' defender; he guards players from one net to the other." Hilton's classmate Joe Bentley is "a great shooter and plays solid defense," Cuyler said. These 12 players are joined by three others who Cuyler said have some experience, and are continuing to develop their skills and improve day by day: senior CJ Barlow, and juniors Hayden Palmatier and Logan Coyle. "Our guys are working hard to achieve our goals," coach Cuyler said. "It may take some time, but we'll be competitive in the regular season and in the playoffs," coach Cuyler said.

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NW boys seek to extend team's winning legacy

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