Head Coach: Adrian Batts – 17th season

Conference: Class 2A Section 1

Last Season: 25-3, won the WPIAL Class 2A Championship; lost to Greensburg Central Catholic in the PIAA quarterfinals

Key Losses: Stone Markham, Jerry Davis, Lonnie Greene

Key Returners: Kymon’e Brown, Markus McGowan, Jayce Powell, Xavier Odorisio-Farrow, Noah Sunder

Promising Newcomers: McAllister Steele, Noah Clary, Zamyi Moore, Carter Mallich, TeSarr Detar

Circle the Dates: Jeannette's first section clash comes on December 12th at California. The Jayhawks battle Greensburg Central Catholic on January 9th on the road and February 3rd at home.

Last season was one for the ages for Jeannette boys basketball, as the Jayhawks added to their trophy case, winning the second WPIAL title in program history, and the first since 2008. Jeannette notched 25 victories and claimed gold in emphatic fashion, as the Jayhawks blasted Union Area 63-39 at the Petersen Events Center.

Now, Jeannette eyes a repeat, as the Jayhawks return all five starters from last season’s squad.

While the core returns, Jeannette did lose three rotational players, as Stone Markham, Lonnie Greene, and Jerry Davis graduated. Markham averaged more than 8 points per game and drained 50 3-pointers, while Greene also averaged nearly 8 points per contest, and he provided 4.5 rebounds per game.

The star-studded group of returnees, though, is headlined by senior guard Kymon’e Brown, who averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 assists last campaign. Junior forward Markus McGowan paced Jeannette with 16.1 points per game last year, while classmate Jayce Powell also averaged in double figures, scoring 10.1 points. A couple of seniors – Noah Sunder (8.2 points, 5 rebounds) and Xavier Odorisio-Farrow (8.0 points, 4 rebounds) – will patrol the paint for Jeannette.

Brown and McGowan will both achieve a scoring milestone if they remain healthy, as Brown needs 120 points to reach 1,000 in his career, while McGowan is 227 points away from the mark.

While that quintet will likely account for the vast majority of the production, five other players could also contribute to the title defense. Senior forward Zamyi Moore, junior forwards McAllister Steele and Noah Clary, junior guard Carter Mallich, and sophomore guard TeSarr are all vying for minutes off the bench.

With veteran head coach Adrian Batts still at the helm of the program and closing in on 300 career victories, the Jayhawks have their sights set on another historic campaign. After finishing runner-up to Greensburg Central Catholic in Class 2A Section 1 last campaign, Jeannette seeks the section title. Moreover, the Jayhawks aim to successfully defend their district championship, and also claim a state title.

In addition to competing against GCC for section supremacy, Jeannette will also battle playoff participants Clairton, Springdale, and Bentworth, as well as Riverview, Frazier, and California Area.

Jeannette Jayhawks Girls Basketball

Head Coach: Jenna Lusby – 2nd season

Conference: Class 2A Section 4

Last Season: 4-15 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Mary Jones

Key Returners: Navarah Smith, Abigail Shaw, Leah DeFelice, Karmen Kistner, Jayden Goodson

Promising Newcomers: Aubriella Milliron, Brooklyn Shultz, Sanya Dreakford, Malena Woods

Circle the Dates: Jeannette travels to Northgate to begin the year on November 28th and starts its section slate at home against Riverview on December 18th.

In navigating her first season as the head coach of Jeannette, Jenna Lusby had just one senior and an inexperienced roster. This year, Lusby returns a group that appears poised for a more successful season.

Last campaign, Jeannette went 4-15 overall, going winless in Class 2A Section 4. Most of those setbacks later in the season were competitive, though, as five of the last eight losses were by 10 points or fewer.

While Mary Jones has moved on, Jeannette returns a pair of senior starters in guards Navarah Smith and Abigail Shaw. Also back are junior guard/forward Karmen Kistner, sophomore guard Leah DeFelice, and sophomore center Jayden Goodson. Furthermore, a pair of bench players return, as sophomores Aubriella Milliron and Brooklyn Shultz saw valuable minutes as ninth-graders.

Two more freshmen could emerge this campaign, as guards Sanya Dreakford and Malena Woods have already displayed skill and the drive to succeed.

“We are looking to play quick and scrappy basketball,” explained Lusby, a former Norwin standout. “My girls come with a lot of energy and play with a lot of effort. We are looking to be quick on defense and play efficient transition offense.”

After running the table in the section last year, Winchester Thurston is the preseason favorite. Additionally, Riverview is coming off a 14-win campaign, while Apollo-Ridge and Ellis School also made the postseason. Frazier rounds out the section.

Jeannette opens the campaign at Northgate on Nov. 28, while the Jayhawks will spend most of December playing at home, including tilts against Leechburg, Clairton, South Allegheny, and Carlynton, as well as the section opener against Riverview on Dec. 18.

“We are looking to work hard and have fun this season while winning some basketball games,” exclaimed Lusby for the team goals.