Cuyahoga Heights enters the 2024-2025 season riding the momentum of the two best campaigns in school history.
In 2022-2023, the Red Wolves reached the Division III Elite Eight, and last season, they finished 21-4 and played in a district championship game.
“This year will be interesting,” said 19th-year head coach Michael Tartara, who is 242-178 at the school. “We have had the best two seasons in the history of the school. That is kind of a tough act to follow. I do feel like the overall attitude and spirit of the game is in a good place. This allows us the opportunity to show growth as the season progresses.”
The Red Wolves return just two starters and four others from last year.
“We have lost three starters and a ton of experience. Two of the three are playing at the next level. It is impossible to fill those shoes, but we are not trying to replace Braylan (McClardy), Cade (Davies), Zach (Caleris), Bradyn (Rusch), and Jacob (Mielnik). They were great people and teammates. We are just trying to carry on the vibe and culture that they helped create over the past two years.”
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Another challenge, which likely will turn into a strength over time, is the fact the Red Wolves have more football players on the squad than in years past.
With the football team’s success in the postseason, it could be quite some time before those players hit the court for practice.
“We have more football players than we have had over the past few years,” Tartara said. “This is always an interesting factor. They come in after competing at such a high level for Coach (Al) Martin and his staff. They usually get thrown into action early and it takes time to get into basketball shape. They will be strong and ready to compete though.”
Maurice McClardy and Kyle Porter return to the starting lineup this winter.
McClardy, a 6-foot-2 junior guard/forward, averaged 6.8 points and shot 41 percent from behind the arc on his way to earning his second All-Chagrin Valley Conference honor.
“This is a big year for Mo,” Tartara said. “He gets to take on more of a leadership role. He has had all the right examples in his life and in our program. He is ready to take the next step.”
Porter, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, averaged 2.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and shot 46 percent from the field last season. He was named honorable mention All-CVC.
“Kyle is competitive and adds something that goes beyond the stat line,” Tartara said. “He makes a difference on the boards and helps to defend at a high level.”
Three seniors round out the projected starting lineup.
Brody Boyert, a 5-foot-10 guard, transferred back to Cuyahoga Heights from Holy Name.
“We are happy to have him back and we are looking forward to having him pick up some of the ball handling and scoring that we lost in the past couple of years,” Tartara said.
Zach Unger, a 6-foot-2 forward, came off the bench last season and made an impact on the court.
“Zach came into varsity games last year and made a difference,” Tartara said. “We will need his athletic ability and his fearless approach to competing. Zach adds an element that is very important for our success going forward.”
Nick Armbrust, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward, can help the Red Wolves in a number of ways.
“Nick is another multi-sport athlete who will help make us more versatile on both ends of the floor,” Tartara said.
Senior Devin Dzik and sophomore Kurtis Van Diviner are expected to join the team after the football team ends its season.
“We have other potential contributors but I’m not sure if they are playing or not due to another epic run by the football team we will likely not know for another week or two,” Tartara said.
Freshman Drayden Whitlow is one to watch this season.
“Dray has a bright future at CHS,” Tartara said. “He is a freshman who has come in working very hard and getting better every day. Depending on how many football players come out, it will factor into where and how much of a factor he will be in his freshman year.”
