Berkshire returns just two starters from last season, but the Badgers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic as they kick off the 2024-2025 season.
The Badgers, who finished 10-13 overall and 5-5 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division last winter, remain young. Still, they gained valuable experience last season and continue to grow as the regular season quickly approaches.
“As we look ahead to the new season, the outlook for our team is incredibly optimistic,” said third-year head coach Joe Montanaro. “After a productive summer and offseason of hard work, we are eager to continue building on the foundation we established last year. With only three seniors graduating, our roster remains young, and that youthfulness presents a unique opportunity for long-term growth and development. The primary goal this season is to keep growing together as a team on the court. With a solid mix of returning players and promising younger athletes, we are confident that we have the right pieces in place to compete at a high level.”
Montanaro and his staff worked hard in the offseason to continue preparing the Badgers for the 2024-2025 season.
“Throughout the summer, we focused on developing our young players to complement the returning varsity athletes, and as a result, I believe we’ve cultivated depth within our team, enabling us to play at a faster pace,” Montanaro said.
The Badgers won’t be without their challenges this season.
“This year, one of the biggest challenges we’ll face is improving our shooting consistency. We lost a significant amount of our scoring from last year, so we’ll need to find ways to be more efficient offensively,” Montanaro said. “Right now, our shooting percentages, especially from beyond the arc, need to improve if we want to compete at a high level. It’s something we’ve been focusing on during the offseason with a lot of individualized shooting drills, and we’ll continue to emphasize shot selection and mechanics during practice.”
Montanaro also knows many younger players will have to fill key roles.
“With a team that has a lot of underclassmen, it’s going to take some time for everyone to get comfortable and build the chemistry needed for success,” he said. “We’ll rely heavily on our leaders to set the tone, especially our seniors and juniors, to help guide and support the younger guys as they step into larger roles.”
The Badgers return a pair of all-conference performers from last season.
Gavin Hipp, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, was named second-team All-CVC and honorable mention all-district.
“Gavin has been a cornerstone of our team for the past two years, and his leadership on and off the court is invaluable,” Montanaro said. “As our only senior guard, he brings a level of experience and maturity that is crucial for our success this season. He’s started for us for two years, logging the most varsity minutes, and we’re looking to him not only to score but to lead by example in every aspect of the game. His work ethic, competitive spirit, and commitment to the team have set a standard for everyone around him. We’re counting on him to be the driving force, both in the locker room and on the court, as we move forward this season.”
Cameron Beam, a 6-foot junior forward, was an honorable mention all-conference and all-district selection.
“Cam has been a key player for us since he stepped into the starting lineup as a freshman, and his development over the past two years has been impressive,” Montanaro said. “He’s consistently led our team in rebounding, and his ability to battle in the paint has been a huge asset. This season, we’re looking for him to take on a bigger scoring role, especially from the outside. His skill set has evolved, and we believe he’s ready to expand his game beyond the boards. Cam’s work ethic and versatility make him a crucial part of our success, and I’m excited to see how he continues to grow as both a scorer and a leader on the court.”
Juniors Jake Patterson, Luke Stute, and Caden McGranahan round out the projected starting lineup.
Patterson is a 5-foot-8 point guard.
“Although he’s a first-year point guard, Jake has already shown an incredible ability to run the offense efficiently,” Montanaro said. “His basketball IQ is impressive for his age, and he’s quickly gained the trust of his teammates with his leadership on the floor. He has a great feel for the game, is always looking to make the right play, and doesn’t shy away from the responsibility of directing the team. We’re excited to see how his game continues to grow as he gains more experience, but it’s clear that he’s already a key player for us.”
Stute is a 6-foot-1 forward.
“Luke played major minutes for us last year, and his offseason improvements have been remarkable,” Montanaro said. “Coming off a successful football season, he’s in great shape and brings an even higher level of confidence and leadership to the team. With a young roster, Luke’s experience and ability to do the little things will be essential for our success this season. Whether it’s making the right pass, playing tough defense, or providing a spark when we need it, Luke is the kind of player who thrives in those intangible roles that often go unnoticed but are crucial to our team’s success. I’m excited to see how he takes on more of a leadership role this year, and I know his presence will be a big asset as we move forward.”
McGranahan is a 6-foot-1 forward.
“Caden is a versatile player who truly understands the game,” Montanaro said. “His basketball IQ and ability to impact the game both inside and outside the paint make him a key piece for our team this season. We’re excited to see him excel in the post and continue to develop his all-around game.”
Two juniors and three sophomores will provide the Badgers with depth.
The juniors are Billy Verbic, a 6-foot guard, and Chase Wardle, a 6-foot forward.
“Billy showed a lot of promise at the end of last season, earning significant minutes, and we’re excited to see him take on an even bigger role this year. As one of the most athletic players on the team, he has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s a standout, and we’ll be relying on him to lock down opponents and create turnovers. Offensively, his ability to shoot from the outside adds a dynamic element to our game. Billy has the tools to be a major contributor, and I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to develop and use his athleticism to help elevate the team this season,” Montanaro said. “Chase is the type of player we rely on to do a little bit of everything, and this year we expect him to step up in that do-it-all role for us. As a junior, he’s shown the toughness and grit that is the foundation of our program. Whether it’s playing defense, crashing the boards, making plays for his teammates, or scoring when we need it, Chase is the kind of player who’ll step up wherever we need him. His work ethic and competitive spirit are contagious, and I’m excited to see him continue to grow and embrace the leadership role that comes with being such an important part of our team.”
Alex Bowman, a 5-foot-9 guard, Michael Cositantin, a 6-foot-3 forward, and Colton Miller-Gabbard, a 6-foot-2 forward, are the sophomores.
“Alex is only a 10th grader, but he’s already shown that he has the toughness and skill to compete at a high level. As a point guard with scoring ability, he has the potential to play major minutes this season, and there’s even a chance he could earn a spot in the starting lineup. What stands out about Alex is his tenacity on the court; he’s as tough a player as you’ll find. He has all the tools to become a major scorer for us with the ability to drive, hit outside shots, and create for his teammates. His work ethic and determination make him a key part of our future, and I’m excited to see him continue to grow into a leader for this team,” Montanaro said. “Michael is a great addition to our program, and we’re excited to see what he brings to the table this season. As a 6-3 sophomore transfer from AGAPE, he has the athleticism and versatility to make an immediate impact. We expect him to compete for major minutes, and his size and skill set will allow him to contribute in a variety of ways. Whether it’s on the wing or in the post, Michael has the potential to be a key player for us this year. His work ethic and basketball IQ have already impressed us, and we’re looking forward to watching him grow within our system.”
Montanaro is confident he has the talent and experience to compete for a Valley Division title, but the Badgers will have to remain focused on doing the little things that add up to victories.
“Looking ahead, we know that the key to success in the CVC Valley Division will be defense and improving our shooting,” he said. “After losing much of our scoring output due to graduation, we are focused on tightening up defensively and finding ways to generate points through more efficient shooting. While we may have to adjust offensively, I am excited about the potential of our young guys. They have shown an incredible work ethic and positive attitudes, which will be crucial as we look to fill the void left by last season’s top scorers.”
