The Trinity Trojans look and feel like a team ready to reach a new level.
After an 11–13 season, the roster returns with more maturity, more experience, and far more clarity about who they want to be. Seventh-year head coach Dan Urban sees that shift every day in practice, and the optimism in his voice sets the tone for everything the Trojans want to accomplish this winter.
“I feel as it could be an exciting season for us from what I’ve seen so far,” Urban said.
Much of that excitement comes from the sheer volume of experience returning. Trinity brings back three starters and four other varsity contributors, creating a roster filled with players who know the pace and physicality of the Chagrin Valley Conference.
“We have a lot of returning varsity players,” Urban said. “We have quite a bit of experience to take advantage of. We are a mix of young and older players who I believe will feed off of each other well.”
Still, experience doesn’t exempt a team from adversity, and the Trojans know their youth will reveal itself at times. The challenge, Urban admits, will be keeping the team steady as new contributors find their footing.
“We are young,” Urban said. “We will go through some growing pains at times.”
At the center of Trinity’s growth is junior guard Jordan “Bam” Campbell, a 6-foot all-conference playmaker whose fire and feel drive the offense.
“Jordan is a very skilled player who plays with a lot of passion,” Urban said. “He has grown physically and in his maturity. We are excited for him to continue to develop into one of Northeast Ohio’s top guards.”
Beside him, 6-foot-7 junior Jshaun Richards gives Trinity a rare blend of size, mobility and upside. After averaging six points and six rebounds last year, his continued physical development has the coaching staff expecting a breakout.
“Jshaun has grown into his body and grown some more,” Urban said. “He has matured mentally and physically and is ready to make a big impact for our program.”
Senior guard DeMarcus Taylor, listed at 5-foot-7, is the steady veteran presence Urban trusts to lead.
“As a senior, DeMarcus must be a leader,” Urban said. “He has worked on his game a lot this offseason, and he is ready for that opportunity, and we are excited for his impact this season.”
The team’s most explosive athlete is easily senior Justin Sims. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward is coming off an 11-point, 7-rebound season with conference and district honors, and his ceiling continues to rise as he navigates the college recruitment process.
“Justin is a great young man with an incredibly bright future on and off the court,” Urban said. “He has been visiting a lot of schools over the summer and this fall. Justin is the best athlete in the conference. He is arguably one of the state’s best athletes. We are thrilled for his senior season.”
Rounding out the starting group is 6-foot-3 senior D’avarie Bennett, a long, athletic wing who has waited patiently for his chance to shine. Bennett’s versatility gives Trinity flexibility in its lineups, and Urban loves the spark he brings.
“Var has waited his turn,” Urban said. “He has been behind some incredible players and is ready to make an impact. His length and athleticism will be a huge asset for us.”
The Trojans’ bench is younger, but filled with upside. Sophomore guard Princeton Warren, 5-foot-10, was the lone freshman to impact last year’s varsity squad, and he has doubled down on his development.
“Prince was the only freshman to make an impact on the varsity team last year,” Urban said. “He has worked hard all offseason to make an even bigger contribution this season.”
Senior forward Que’Shaun Dunn, a 6-foot-1 vocal spark plug, anchors the team emotionally. His leadership is as important as his production.
“Quay is our vocal leader; he keeps us steady often,” Urban said. “From the moment he joined this team, he has done nothing but make positive impacts.”
Another senior, 6-foot-2 forward Alex Booker, gives Trinity a dependable athlete who can help in multiple areas and understands his responsibilities on and off the court.
“Alex is a gifted athlete who we believe will help us in many ways,” Urban said. “Alex is a great student athlete.”
Senior guard Uchenna Njoku, at 6-foot-1, adds needed depth and length, while 5-foot-10 senior guard Marlon Portis offers a skill set that can change the momentum of a game.
“Marlon can be a difference maker on this team with his skill set,” Urban said.
The frontcourt gets a major boost from 6-foot-8 junior center Dontez Smith, whose size gives Trinity a much-needed interior anchor.
“Dontez is a strong presence in the post,” Urban said. “We are excited to have him.”
And one of the most intriguing young players on the roster is 6-foot-2 sophomore wing Davin Thomas, whose length and athleticism give the Trojans another high-upside piece.
“Davin is an exciting prospect,” Urban said. “Davin has great length, a great skillset, and is a great athlete. We believe he could have a breakout season.”
With all of this talent and depth returning, Trinity enters the season with its goals set firmly at the top.
“We are aiming for the conference (title),” Urban said. “We came up short last season, lost a few key guys, but return a great squad.”
And if they want to reach that goal, Urban believes the path is simple, even if the execution is demanding.
“Playing hard, being smarter, and doing the little things,” Urban said.
This year’s Trinity team has the pieces — the athletes, the maturity, the depth, and the hunger — to be one of the most dangerous groups in the conference. If those pieces come together the way Urban believes they can, the Trojans could be in for the kind of season that reshapes the program’s trajectory.
