The 2016-17 season just never broke right for the Bradford High boys.
Injury issues early in the season and a lack of depth contributed to the Owls starting the year 3-11. While Bradford rebounded to win five of their next seven, they were quickly bounced in the District 9 semifinals in a 59-35 loss to Clearfield to finish the year a disappointing 8-14.
But with most of last year’s contributors returning along with a host of other familiar faces, the Owls will be fielding one of their deepest teams in recent years.
“We definitely have a good group back and we’re healthy right now, so that’s definitely going to make a difference,” BHS coach Brian Hobbs said. “Our expectations are much higher than what they were last year just because we have quite a few guys that we can bring off the bench.”
Bradford’s starting five of seniors Adam Boyer, Deondre Terwilliger, and Dan Manion, junior Donny Pattison, and sophomore Tyler Gigliotti were all regular contributors a season ago and figure to take their respective games up a notch.
Gigliotti earned District 9 League All Star honors as a freshman, while Terwilliger, who missed a large chunk of last year due to injury, was a third team Big 30 All Star in 2015-16.
Hobbs will be looking for a scoring-by-committee approach from this experienced group.
“The good thing about our team is that we have some depth,” he said. “Last year when Nate Higbie and Deondre went down, Adam really stepped up. He did a good bit of scoring for us and that was helpful.
“We really look for Tyler, Adam, and Deondre to do a heavy load of the scoring for us. Danny and Donny will clean up down low on the boards and with offensive rebounds.”
The biggest difference for the Owls this year will be the ability to turn to the bench consistently for secondary scoring.
“In the past we’ve struggled to bring guys off the bunch,” Hobbs said. “This year we feel very comfortable; I think we can go pretty deep. We have some guys that really can come in and be effective right away.”
That group will include seniors Brice Whelan, Alec Kuzmeskas, and Brent Kennedy, junior Blake Bryant, and sophomores Steven Knowlton, Peyton Manion, and Caleb Nuzzo.
Whelan and Kennedy are both coming off of impressive campaigns in golf and soccer, respectively. Despite having seen little basketball action in recent years, Hobbs hopes they can provide some size and toughness.
Kuzmeskas is another upperclassman who will try to reintegrate himself into the rotation.
Knowlton made some nice contributions on offense when forced into action last season and should once again be able to provide points off the bench.
Peyton Manion and Nuzzo — both key members of the varsity baseball team as freshmen — provide the kind of athleticism and depth that Bradford was often lacking last season.
A more balanced roster will allow the Owls to do more at both ends of the court.
“We look to be more of a pressure defense and get up and down the court a little bit more than in the past where we’ve been a little more methodical and trying to grind out possessions,” Hobbs said. “With this group and the depth that we have, we can rotate guys in and out and play a little faster.”
Bradford will be one of a number of teams that will be vying for the top spot in the District 9 League. With traditional power Elk Catholic losing most of the team that went to the PIAA quarterfinals last year, the competition for the top spot in the league — and the District — looks to be up for grabs.
“I think this year more than any year in the past couple gives us an opportunity,” Hobbs said. “Even though Elk lost a ton, they’ve got Ryan Newton back who is really improved; Brookville returns quite a few players, St. Marys has [Nate] Schneider and [Jackson] Lindemuth back, Punxsutawney is always a well-coached team. I think it’s open but night in and night out it’s going to be a battle.”
Bradford opens its season on Friday against West Shamokin in the Redbank Valley Tournament at 6 p.m.
Hobbs is hoping that it can be the start of a special campaign.
“I think the key to our season is chemistry and consistent scoring, and if we get those two things, we’ll have a good year,” he said.
