HS Boys’ Basketball: Division II preview, wild chase gets underway
Marian's Yanel Nunez (2) shoots over Nativity's Trey Keating (30) and Layne Pasker (21) (Photo by James Gelatko).
Even more than Division I, Division II might be the most fascinating battleground in Schuylkill League boys’ basketball this winter — experienced cores, elite talent and a legendary coach stepping back into the picture.
The storyline starts with Nativity senior Trey Keating, the division’s most electric player and one of the league’s (and district’s) toughest matchups from any spot on the floor. His scoring, size and ability to control a game make the Hilltoppers an immediate threat.
Not far behind in the spotlight is Paul Brutto, returning to the Marian sideline for his 41st season overall. Brutto takes over for Scott Murphy, who unfortunately passed away during the summer.
Brutto’s presence alone raises the Colts’ profile, but the real strength lies in the veteran core he inherits. Senior guards Jake Tom, Jacob De La Cruz and Yaniel Nunez give Marian a composed, battle-tested backcourt, while senior Justin De La Cruz, sophomore Greg Tirpak and junior Rocco Griguoli round out a frontcourt capable of matching up with anyone in the division.
“We’re just trying to build off what culminated last year in a district title when Scott (Murphy) was coaching,” said Brutto, who was an assistant coach under Murphy the past two seasons. “We’re trying to build off that and put my own little touch on it. Every time a new coach comes in, you have to put your unique touch on it.”
Weatherly enters with as much returning experience as anyone. Seniors Ian McKeegan, Corbin Wagner and Niko Saldukas form a nucleus that has already proven it can win meaningful games, while Dominick Kokinda and Matt Adler solidify the interior. The Wreckers are balanced, mature and confident after last season’s strong finish, and they have the pieces to be in the mix from start to finish.
Around Keating, juniors Layne Pasker, Jake Bowman and Nick Clarke give Nativity a steady, athletic supporting cast with enough experience to contend night after night. First-year head coach Brady Burke takes over a group that already knows how to win — and with Keating leading the charge, expectations are sky-high.
Tri-Valley is also firmly positioned near the top thanks to its seasoned lineup. Seniors Owen Miller, Braeden Doyle and Gavin Klock anchor a group that has played together for years, with junior Trey Porter and sophomore Kingsley Johnson adding versatility around them. Most of last season’s district runner-up roster is back — and that familiarity gives Tri-Valley one of the division’s highest floors.
Schuylkill Haven brings back a reliable core in Max Heim, Alan Evans, Justin Watcher and Brady Kelly, with sophomore Bradyn Diehl expected to elevate his role.
Shenandoah Valley has its most experienced group in several seasons behind Izayah Lopez, David Burrous, Jonnuel Reyes, Alex Rivera and Niko White, giving the Blue Devils a chance to climb.
Lourdes continues to grow behind returning contributors seeking consistency, while Williams Valley stands as a sleeper thanks to its senior-heavy lineup featuring Brady Shomper, Evan Achenbach, Bryce Zilinski and Evan Kandybowski, plus rising sophomore Gabe Rodriguez.
This season’s Division II race isn’t defined by one team or one storyline — it’s shaped by a collection of experienced cores, evolving programs and multiple paths to the top. The division is deeper, tougher and more balanced than it has been in years, and with so many teams capable of stringing together wins, the championship chase should remain wide open deep into February.
Division II play gets under way Thursday, Dec. 4, with four games that should provide an immediate read on the balance of the division.
Weatherly travels to Marian in a matchup between two veteran-heavy teams with league title aspirations. Nativity heads to Schuylkill Haven, where Trey Keating and the Hilltoppers face a physical Hurricanes group returning multiple starters. Shenandoah Valley visits Lourdes in a meeting of two revamped programs looking to take early steps forward. And Tri-Valley makes the trip to Williams Valley in what could be one of the night’s most competitive games between senior-led squads.
“It’s going to be very competitive,” Brutto said of Division II. “We just have to keep working to improve. We had a rough offseason — we didn’t get a lot done because of the situation. We’ve got to understand Weatherly’s coming in, and they have a really nice ballclub coming back. It’s a balanced, competitive division. Then we’ll worry about the big schools when you get to that thing (the league playoffs), but our division is balanced and competitive. One game at a time — that’s how you have to coach it.”
Opening night won’t settle the standings, but it will quickly show who’s ready out of the gate.
Schuylkill League Boys’ Basketball Preview Capsules
DIVISION II
Lourdes
Head coach: James Sandri (8th season)
Last season: 5-16, 2-12 in Division II
Outlook: No information provided
Marian
Head coach: Paul Brutto (1st year returning / 41st season overall)
Last season: 13-12, 7-7 Division II. District 11 Class AA champions, PIAA qualifier
Key losses: Bryan Ferreira, Dylan Rodino
Key returners: Jake Tom (sr., G), Yaniel Nunez (jr., G), Jacob De La Cruz (sr., F), Justin De La Cruz (sr., F), Greg Tirpak (so., G/F), Rocco Griguoli (jr., F)
Key newcomers: James Cannon (jr., F), Dominick Rodino (jr., F), Nick Shingo (sr., G/F), Darren Paulino (sr., G), Damian Rodino (sr., F), Quentin Petschauer (sr., G/F)
Outlook: Marian returns a battle-tested core from last year’s District 11 Class AA championship team, giving longtime head coach Paul Brutto a strong foundation in his return to the sidelines. Senior guards Jake Tom and Jacob De La Cruz, along with junior Yaniel Nunez, anchor a backcourt that can score, defend, and handle tempo. Up front, senior Justin De La Cruz, sophomore Greg Tirpak, and junior Rocco Griguoli provide size and physicality, forming a front line that helped power the Colts’ postseason run a year ago. With continuity, balance, and a roster built around toughness and experience, Marian should once again be a top contender in Division II and a serious threat in the District 11 Class AA bracket.
Nativity
Head coach: Brady Burke (1st season)
Last season: 16-11, 13-1 Division II. Division II champion, Schuylkill League quarterfinalist, District 11 Class A semifinalist, PIAA qualifier
Key losses: Sam Walborn, Noah Dolbin
Key returners: Trey Keating (sr., G/F), Layne Pasker (jr., G/F), Jake Bowman (jr., G), Nick Clarke (jr., F/C), George Shimko (Sr., F/C),
Key newcomers: Sean Kramer (jr., G/F), Marc Lutzkanin (jr., F), Jake Swartz (G/F), Tommy Bartashus (jr., G/F), Owen Holley (so., G/F), Cash Kalkiewicz (fr., G), Frankie Uhrin (fr., G/F)
Outlook: Nativity brings back a strong and experienced nucleus that positions the Hilltoppers as one of the early favorites in Division II. Senior star Trey Keating returns as one of the league’s most dynamic scorers and playmakers, while juniors Layne Pasker, Jake Bowman and Nick Clarke give Nativity a tough, athletic trio capable of filling multiple roles across the floor. With proven chemistry, versatility, and the leadership needed to navigate a deep division, Nativity enters the season in prime position to defend the Division II title and make another push in the District 11 Class A bracket.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Fran Murphy (15th season at Schuylkill Haven)
Last season: 10-13, 6-8 Division II. District 11 Class AA semifinalist
Key losses: Brayden Fasnacht
Key returners: Max Heim (sr., F), Alan Evans (jr., G), Justin Watcher (jr., G), Brady Kelly (jr., F), Bradyn Diehl (so., G), Ethan Tracey (jr., F)
Key newcomers: Blake Rossi (sr., F), Chase Yoder (soph., G), Matt Lucas (jr., G/F)
Outlook: Schuylkill Haven returns a solid, experienced core that should keep the Hurricanes firmly in the Division II mix. Seniors Max Heim and Brady Kelly provide size and physicality up front, while juniors Alan Evans and Justin Watcher bring steady guard play and scoring ability. Sophomore Braydyn Diehl adds a boost of athleticism on the perimeter and is poised to take on a larger role this season. With continuity across the rotation and several players ready to elevate their production, Haven has the toughness and balance to contend for league playoff positioning and make noise in the district race.
Shenandoah Valley
Head coach: Josh Dombrosky (3rd season)
Last season: 4-17, 2-12 Division II
Key losses: Johnny Burke, Brandon Boris, Landon Monaghan, Dillon Teeter
Key returners: Izayah Lopez (sr., G), David Burrous (jr., F), Jonnuel Reyes (jr., G), Alex Rivera (jr., G)
Key newcomers: Joel Nunez (jr., G), Albany Gonzalez (fr., G), Niko White (jr., F), Brandon Hernandez (so., C), Ethan Bench (so., F), Omari Townes (sr., F)
Outlook: Shenandoah Valley brings back an experienced core that should help the Blue Devils take a step forward this season. Senior guard Izayah Lopez leads the way, while juniors David Burrous, Jonnuel Reyes, Alex Rivera, and Niko Whitegive the team a stable, familiar group across multiple positions. With several key players now entering their upper-class roles, Shenandoah Valley expects to be more competitive and consistent as it works to climb the Division II standings.
Tri-Valley
Head coach: Mike Masser (16th season)
Last season: 17-8, 10-4 Division II. Schuylkill League quarterfinalist, District 11 Class AA runner-up
Key losses: Blake Schwartz, Matt Raulston, Jordan Heidbreder
Key returners: Owen Miller (sr., G), Braeden Doyle (sr., F), Gavin Klock (sr., G), Trey Porter (jr., F), Jack Wehry (jr., G), Camryn Olmos (sr., F)
Key newcomers: Cooper Carl (sr., G), Chase Lower (jr., F), Carter Troutman (so., G), Ty Troutman (so., G), Kingsley Johnson (so., G), Daxton Maurer (fr., F), Kolton Clemmer (fr., G), Riley Kaslavage (fr., F)
Outlook: Tri-Valley returns one of Division II’s strongest and most experienced cores, giving the Bulldogs a clear path to contention once again. Seniors Owen Miller, Braeden Doyle, and Gavin Klock anchor the lineup, while junior Trey Porter and sophomore Kingsley Johnson add athleticism and versatility around them. With leadership, size and proven production back from last year’s district runner-up squad, Tri-Valley enters the season as a legitimate threat for the Division II crown and another postseason run.
Weatherly
Head coach: Luke Medico (3rd season)
Last season: 14-12, 8-6 Division II. Schuylkill League quarterfinalist, District 11 Class A semifinalist
Key losses: John Donish, Chance Stauffer
Key returners: Ian McKeegan (sr., G), Corbin Wagner (sr., G), Niko Saldukas (sr., F), Dominick Kokinda (jr., F), Matt Adler (jr., F)
Key newcomers: Brandon Davis (sr., G), Wyatt Kokinda (fr., F), Vincent Cuddeford (so.)
Outlook: Weatherly brings back one of the most experienced trios in Division II with seniors Ian McKeegan, Corbin Wagner and Niko Saldukas anchoring the lineup. Their scoring, toughness, and chemistry give the Wreckers a strong foundation as they look to build on last season’s postseason push. With veteran leadership and continuity across the rotation, Weatherly enters the season as a serious contender for the Division II title and another trip to league and district postseason play.
Williams Valley
