Jeannette Jayhawks Boys Basketball

Head Coach: Adrian Batts – 13th season

Conference: Class 2A Section 3

Last Season: 15-5 overall record – Lost to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the WPIAL 2A semifinals

Key Losses: Toby Cline, Keith Rockmore, Jimmy Sanders, Hunter Schmidt, Ryan Kimmel, Jaydin Canady, Brad Birch, Noah Sanders

Key Returners: Anton Good, Shane Mickens

Promising Newcomers: Jalen Bass, Nasheed Thompson, Isaiah Mallich, KeSean Crosby

All throughout the fall, the biggest story pertaining to Jeannette football was the mass exodus via transfer. More than a half dozen key contributors unexpectedly left the program, which resulted in the Jayhawks going from the state championship game in 2020 to a one-win campaign in 2021.

Several of those athletes who transferred out of the district were also basketball players. With several other significant players lost to graduation, as well, veteran Jeannette head coach Adrian Batts will be tasked with replacing almost the entirety of his rotation from last season.

From last season’s squad that went 15-5 and reached the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals, Toby Cline, Keith Rockmore, Jimmy Sanders, and Hunter Schmidt all graduated. Kline, a three-year starter, was the point guard who rarely came off the floor, pacing the Jayhawks in assists. Furthermore, Rockmore led the team in scoring and three-pointers made, Schmidt, who was an interior presence, led the team in blocks, while Sanders provided some scoring punch and was a key defender.

While those voids were expected, Ryan Kimmel, Jaydin Canady, and Brad Birch all transferred during the offseason, while Noah Sanders elected not to play.

Thus, Jeannette will lean heavily upon its two returning contributors – Anton Good and Shane Mickens. Good, a senior guard, was second on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game last season, and he’s receiving some college interest. Mickens, a 6-foot-2 junior forward, led the Jayhawks in rebounding last campaign.

That duo will be augmented by senior point guard KeSean Crosby, 6-foot-3 junior forward Jalen Bass, junior guard Nasheed Thompson, and sophomore guard Isaiah Mallich.

In 2020-21, Jeannette finished second in Class 2A Section 3, at 7-2. First-place Greensburg Central Catholic, which went 9-1, reached the WPIAL Championship game, and should be strong again this year. Additionally, Batts expects two other private schools – Serra Catholic and Winchester-Thurston - to contend. Clairton and Propel Braddock Hills round out the section.

“I think we can compete for a playoff spot if we can defend and rebound at a high level. We need to continue to play extremely hard with heavy ball pressure,” Batts revealed.

In his 13th season at the helm, Batts is nearing 200 career wins.

Jeannette Jayhawks Girls Basketball

Head Coach: William Flow – 1st season

Conference: Class 2A Section 4

Last Season: 0-19 overall record – lost to Seton-LaSalle in WPIAL Class 2A Preliminary Round

Key Returners: Mac Rigney, Jordan Bass, Franke Crosby, Zoey Vincent, Kira Wright

Promising Newcomers: Savannah Lock

Last season presented a significant challenge for Jeanette girls basketball, as the team went winless throughout the regular season. Despite those struggles, head coach Jonathan Bass and the team elected to compete in the playoffs, which was an open tournament. With a lopsided loss to Seton-LaSalle, the Jayhawks finished at 0-19, one of just five teams in the WPIAL that failed to register a win.

With new head coach William Flow, a Norwin graduate, guiding the program, Jeannette will aim to improve, slowly but surely.

“Our main expectations are to get better each day. The old cliche one percent better each day is a great way to describe where we are right now,” said Flow, who has an extensive coaching background in a variety of sports. “We have seen improvement from each set of scrimmages thus far, and are looking to compete night in and out in a tough conference schedule.”

One benefit for Flow is that many of the girls who experienced those growing pains last year are back in the fold this year. Returning contributors include senior forward Mac Rigney, along with juniors Jordan Bass, Franke Crosby, Zoey Vincent, and Kira Wright. Rigney and Crosby serve as co-captains.

Another junior, Savannah Lock, appears poised to develop into a valuable contributor this campaign.

With just nine players on the varsity roster, including three freshmen, Jeannette’s depth could be tested throughout the season. However, Flow is encouraged by what he’s seen thus far, and has set his objectives accordingly.

“My biggest goal for the season is to be in a position to compete headed into the fourth quarter, then see how the game plays out. I'm never a coach to put a goal of wins and losses out there, but we want to be competitive from December until February and see where we stack up at the end of the year,” he stated.

“The girls are working very hard. We are in the weight room every day,” Flow continued. “They are starting to figure out our offensive and defensive concepts, and we have seen some of the payoff from that knowledge in our scrimmage games.”

Jeannette resides in Class 2A Section 4, along with Winchester-Thurston, Apollo-Ridge, Greensburg Central Catholic, and Springdale. The Bears went unblemished in section play last campaign, while the Vikings and Centurions also posted winning records overall.

Jeannette opens its season with a pair of games at the Monessen Tournament, while the first section clash won’t take place until 2022, when the Jayhawks travel to face Springdale on Jan. 6.