Second-year Harvey coach Eric Monty has plenty of reasons to be excited for the 2024-2025 season.
The Red Raiders return four starters and a host of other experienced players from last year’s squad that finished 10-13 overall and 4-8 in league play, and although it’s early in the preseason, the Red Raiders have put in the work to set themselves up for success.
“We are only a week in, but I am feeling confident about the season,” Monty said. “The boys have been working very hard to turn some of our weaknesses from last year into strengths.”
Harvey will maximize its athleticism by playing fast and aggressively.
“Our team is quick and athletic,” Monty said. “We plan to play a fast-paced style offensively.”
The Red Raiders seek to win a Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title and to do that, they’ll need to play solid team defense and win the rebound battle each game.
Harvey’s returning starters include Armani Hall, Chase Goines, and Deontae Ware.
Hall, a 6-foot junior guard, earned second-team All-CVC honors last winter after averaging 15.2 points per game. He needs just 355 more points to hit the 1,000-point milestone.
“We are expecting a big year out of Armani,” Monty said. “His ability to score is well known but the work he has put in on the defensive side of the floor has not gone unnoticed. He is a leader on this team, and we rely on him to hold others accountable in order to realize our potential.”
Goines, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, was an honorable mention All-CVC selection and the team’s MVP last year. He averaged 10.8 points per game.
“Chase is coming off a sophomore season where he was our team MVP,” Monty said. “He is our best defender and a floor general. He has been putting in a ton of work to improve his shot in the preseason and in practice thus far and we are expecting big things from him.”
Ware is a 6-foot-1 junior forward who averaged 8.4 points per game last season.
“Tae is a dynamic player who can do a little bit of everything offensively,” Monty said. “He has been working hard to improve his shooting to make himself a dual threat.”
Junior guard Neiman Booker, a 6-footer, rounds out the projected starting lineup. He scored 5.5 points per contest last season off the bench.
“Neiman is moving into the starting lineup after being the backup point guard last year,” Monty said. “His ability to attack the basket and shoot the three makes him a valuable asset to our team.”
Providing the Red Raiders with depth are Jaidyn Turner, Anthony Shanklin, Dominick Snyder, Kam Leftwich, Eryck McClain, Nore’Ay Jones, and Deiondre Jackson.
Turner is a 6-foot-2 senior forward while Shanklin is a 5-foot-9 senior guard.
“Jaidyn has played varsity minutes since his freshman year and his experience will help us this year,” Monty said. “Anthony’s speed and quickness will be an asset on the defensive end of the floor.”
Snyder is a 6-foot junior guard while Leftwich is a 6-foot sophomore guard.
“Dom has been working hard to diversify his offensive skill set to make himself more of a weapon this season. He has the ability to have a large impact on what we are able to accomplish this year,” Monty said. “Kam has come a long way since the beginning of his freshman year, both physically and when it comes to skill. He will be a key contributor this year.”
McClain is a 6-foot-1 junior guard, Jones is a 6-foot-2 junior forward, and Jackson is a 5-foot-10 junior guard.
“Eryck is a natural athlete that can make his presence known in a number of ways,” Monty said. “Nore’Ay’s skill set is very unique for a guy his size. He plays within his abilities and has a high IQ for the game. Dre will contribute on both ends of the floor with his quickness and defensive prowess.”
