2024-2025 Boys Basketball Preview: Chagrin Falls Tigers

The injury bug hit the Chagrin Falls boys’ basketball team unusually hard last winter, and that trend has continued into the 2024-2025 season.

The Tigers, who return four starters from last season’s 10-15 squad, already have lost some key players to injuries.

“Last season, we dealt with a lot of injuries only playing our starting group together for one game. Early in this season, we are again facing injuries with several of our main players out with long-term injuries,” said 20th-year head coach Dave Bargar. “With only losing one senior, we have an experienced returning group to start the year. When healthy, we feel that we have the pieces in place to be successful, but we must compete consistently for that to happen.”

Despite the injuries, the Tigers have reason to be optimistic.

They’re far more experienced and deeper than they were last season and coupled with their size and athleticism, the Tigers have potential this season.

“We have some length and athleticism this year, so we plan on utilizing those strengths to our advantage,” Bargar said. “Our chemistry is very good, and we play with a lot of unselfishness on offense. We have the ability to get out in the open court and should create some scoring opportunities in transition. We will look to be versatile defensively, which gives us the opportunity to find what works on a nightly basis.”

The returning starters include three All-Chagrin Valley Conference performers from last season.

Spencer Kaas was a first-team selection, Jacob Kay earned second-team honors, and Ryan Curtiss was an honorable mention selection.

Kaas, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, averaged 7.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last winter.

“Spencer is a four-year player for us and will handle the point guard duties again this season,” Bargar said. “He is an extremely unselfish player that does so many things well to help our team win. Spencer is a great passer that makes everyone around him a better player. He is a very good shooter and does a good job when attacking the basket. Spencer is a very good defender who usually guards the opposing team’s best player. If he stays aggressive on the offensive end, Spencer can have a huge season for us.”

Kay, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest last season.

“Jacob earned his way into the starting lineup last year and really helped us in getting our season turned around,” Bargar said. “His greatest asset last year was his ability to shoot the three. As he gets more comfortable and consistent in attacking the basket, he will become even more of a threat offensively. Jacob is athletic and has some length, which makes him a good player on the defensive end of the court. As he becomes more versatile offensively, he will play a big role in our success.”

Curtiss, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, dropped 10 points and pulled down 5.2 rebounds per game last season.

“Ryan is an extremely talented player, and we are looking to see him make a huge impact on our team this year,” Bargar said. “Ryan is very versatile offensively, he is dynamic in the open court, quick off the dribble, and has the ability to get to the rim and finish. Ryan has a good mid-range game, and his 3-point shooting continues to get more consistent which will make him even more dangerous. When Ryan plays with a lot of energy, his game reaches another level. When he stays aggressive on both ends of the floor, he is a terrific player.”

Brad Russell, a 5-foot-11 senior guard, and Evan Castelluccio, a 6-foot senior guard and returning starter, complete the projected starting lineup.

Russell averaged 7.9 points while Castelluccio dropped in 4.3 with 4.8 rebounds per contest.

“Brad had an outstanding year last season shooting the basketball, usually providing a spark for us off the bench. He is one of the better 3-point shooters in the area and will compete for one of our starting guard spots this year. Brad is a cerebral player that knows how to get open and plays to his strengths on the offensive end. He does a good job of taking care of the ball and can get to the basket if teams try to take away his three. Brad will play a large part in our success as a team this season,” Bargar said. “Evan is one of those players whose importance to our team can’t be measured by statistics. He can play multiple positions; he is extremely smart with good instincts, and he doesn’t make many mistakes. Evan has the ability to shoot the three and is a very good passer. He is a great team defender that anticipates well and does a good job of picking up his teammates when they make mistakes. The biggest key for Evan is to stay aggressive looking for his shot. When he does that, we are a different team offensively.”

Oscar DiFranco, a returning starter, Quin Bargar, Harrison Horvath, Christian Trudic, and Will Stinson return to provide depth, and Robby Mignogna, Brady Kaas, Brady DeVito, Jack Orazen, and Mac White will see their first varsity action this winter.

DiFranco, a 6-foot senior guard, averaged 7.3 points with 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season.

“Oscar will miss time at the beginning of the season recovering from an injury in soccer,” Bargar said. “When healthy, he changes the dynamic of our team with his quickness and his ability to attack the basket. As the season progresses, we hope that he can regain his perimeter shooting which will make him difficult to guard. Oscar disrupts the game defensively and really makes things happen on that end of the floor. He has the chance to have a big impact on our team this year if we can get him back on the court.”

Bargar is a 5-foot-10 junior guard and Horvath is a 6-foot-3 junior forward.

“Quin is another player missing time that we hope to get back at some point. He gained valuable experience last year as he started several games for us. He will be one of our first subs off the bench at the guard position this season and can step into a starting role if necessary. Quin is a tough, physical defender, handles the ball well, and is very aggressive attacking the basket. He continues to improve his 3-point shooting and also has a good mid-range game. Quin will be a big part of what we do over the next two years,” Coach Bargar said. “Harrison got an opportunity to increase his role at the end of last season and did a nice job in his role. This year, Harry will compete for time at the 4/5 spot. He plays with a tremendous amount of energy on both ends of the court. Harry does a great job of running the floor in transition; he is a very good rebounder and can finish at the rim. As he continues to grow and get more consistent, Harry will play a big role for us over the next two seasons.”

Trudic is a 6-foot-6 senior forward and Stinson is a 6-foot senior guard.

“Christian continues to make strides since he entered our program four years ago. He has a unique skill set with his height, length, and ability to step out and shoot the three. With our lack of size, Christian will be asked to help us around the rim as he becomes more comfortable playing near the basket. If he continues to improve and work hard, Christian has the chance to provide us with some much-needed depth inside,” Bargar said. “Will has the opportunity to provide us depth this year at one of the guard positions. He is a very fundamentally sound player who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Will has a good jump shot from three and mid-range and isn’t afraid to go to the basket. He can play multiple positions and is a smart defensive player. Will is a great teammate willing to play any role to help the team succeed.”

Mignogna is a 6-foot-2 senior forward while Brady Kaas is a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard.

“Robby will have the opportunity to compete for a chance to provide some depth at the 4/5 spot this year. Robby has good athleticism and runs the floor very well. He is an aggressive rebounder, can take his man off the dribble, and does a nice job around the basket. If Robby can play with a consistent energy level, he has a chance to give us some productive minutes this season,” Bargar said. “Brady is currently battling an injury, but once healthy, he has a chance to get some minutes this year. Brady competes extremely hard on both ends of the floor. He’s a very aggressive rebounder for a guard and plays physical on the defensive side. Brady has good offensive skills; the key for him is to stay aggressive looking for his shot. If he can do that consistently, he will have an impact on our team over the next few years.”

DeVito is a 6-foot junior guard, Orazen is a 6-foot-3 junior forward, and White is a 5-foot-10 senior guard.

“Brady will provide us depth this year at the guard spot. He is extremely coachable and is always looking for ways to get better. Brady competes hard, is a good 3-point shooter, and a very good passer. As he gets more comfortable with the speed of the varsity game, we look for him to help us over the next two years,” Bargar said. “Jack will provide us depth at the 4 position this season. He understands how to use his body inside but can also step out and shoot the three. As he continues to grow and learn how to compete at the varsity level on a daily basis, Jack has an opportunity to help us the next two seasons. This is Mac’s first year on the varsity. He will give us depth at the guard position and some perimeter shooting. Mac is a great teammate and will do anything to help the team win. We are glad that Mac is part of our program.”

The Tigers seek to compete with an intensity and toughness that will provide them with a chance to win any game they play.

“In order for us to be successful on a consistent basis, we must compete at a high level each game,” Bargar said. “Our season turned around last year when we learned how to focus and compete at the varsity level. We will need to defend every game, and we will need to get out in transition and get easy baskets and that starts with getting stops on defense. On offense, we need to make sure that we execute by moving the ball and using our unselfishness to our advantage. We will also need to focus on rebounding at both ends of the floor.”