BY GREG GULAS
      Boardman News Sports
      bnews@zoominternet.net
      If head coach Pat Birch’s Boardman Spartans’ basketball team wins a fifth straight All-American Conference championship, they will do so with just three returning letterwinners and a squad that was all but depleted after the graduation of ten senior leaders.
      Birch (123-110 overall, .528) returns for his 11th season at the helm, having guided the program to a 110-40 (.733) mark the past six seasons and a most impressive 35-1 (.972) mark during their last four league title campaigns.
      The Spartans were sectional champions a year ago, losing to Lyndhurst Brush (82-78) in the district semi-finals so if they expect to make a deep post-season run, then Birch must find a way to replace 10 seniors from last year’s team that were lost to graduation.
      Seniors lost include Trey DePietro (13.8 ppg., 9.6 rpg, both tops on the team), Anthony Hightower (7.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Ben Alvarico (3.4 ppg), Seth Cervello (5.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg), Luke Ryan (8.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals), Danny Zahran, Max Rassega, Ryder Kreps, Carter Mraz and Courtney Love.
      “We graduated a large and talented senior class, 10 seniors in all and a group that was led by all-Ohio player Trey DePietro,” Birch said.
      “Other big losses were All-American Conference first-team selection Luke Ryan, and AAC second team picks Seth Cervello and Anthony Hightower.
      “Coming off four consecutive AAC championships, we will look to reload and defend our title. Losing DePietro, who was also the conference ‘Player of the Year,’ along with nine other senior players will be a big challenge, however, we have some talented players who will get an opportunity to leave their mark on our program.”
      Those three returning letterwinners include Brady DePietro, a 6’ 2” senior guard, Nico Holzschuh, a 6’ 3” junior forward and David D’Altorio, a 6’ 2” sophomore guard who played well for the varsity the last half of last season as a freshman.
      DePietro played in all 24 games a year ago, finished fifth on the team with 104 points (4.2 ppg) while hauling in 1.5 caroms per fray, Holzschuh also played in all 24 games, averaging 1.9 points and 0.9 rebounds while D’Altorio’s freshman year resulted in averaging 2.6 points – he was 13 of 33 from downtown – and 0.7 rebounds over 18 games played.
      Coach Birch on his three returning letterwinners---
      “Brady started a good portion of last season for us, is two years removed from a knee injury and has worked extremely hard this off-season so he can have a successful senior year. We will need scoring, play-making and leadership from him this season.”
      “Nico also gained valuable experience for us last year, getting the start for a big part of the season. He provides toughness on both ends of the court as well as the ability to score.”
      “David earned playing time as a freshman, showing an ability to make shots and run the offense. He will be looked at to do more of both this season.”
      The cupboard is anything but bare for Birch and his staff.
      “Expectations are high within our program,” the head coach added. “Our goal is to maintain the high level of play that we have established as we expect to defend our conference championship and compete for a district title. Both of those will in no way be easy, however, we are challenging our players to set high expectations.
      “Despite losing ten seniors to graduation, we return a nice nucleus of talent along with some up and coming players eager for their opportunity. We will rely on our seniors to provide much needed leadership and our young, inexperienced guys to mature quickly into varsity caliber players.”
      Players to keep an eye on this season include Demarr Clark, a 6’ 5” senior wing man, Antoine White, a 5’ 7” senior guard and Grayson Eicher, a 6’ 3” sophomore forward.
      Clark played in three games while White played in one a season ago.
      Rounding out the roster and competing for playing time are seniors Prabh Singh, Alex Micco and A.J. Nigro, junior Jeff Markovitch, and sophomores Kaden Mayhew and Terrell McDowell.
      The Spartans play four of their first five games at home, opening the season November 29 when they play host to the Campbell Memorial Red Devils then following that up with a game versus arch-rival Cardinal Mooney on December 2.
      They then travel to Hickory (PA) High School on December 6, returning home to play host to both Louisville (December 9) and Canton GlenOak (December 13).
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