Jeannette Jayhawks Boys Basketball

Head Coach: Adrian Batts – 15th season

Conference: Class 2A Section 3

Last Season: 13-8, lost to Northgate in the WPIAL Class 2A first round

Key Losses: Gio Merola, Shane Mickens, Jalen Bass

Key Returners: Isaiah Mallich, Kymon’e Brown, Noah Sanders

Promising Newcomers: Noah Sunder, Xavier Odorisio-Farrow, Jayce Powell, Markus McGowan, Eli Jones

During his 15 seasons at the helm of Jeannette boys basketball, head coach Adrian Batts doesn’t recall coaching a team as young as his current roster. The youth for the Jayhawks will not be an excuse for Batts to lower the standards of the program, however.

“I expect to contend for the section title,” he proclaimed. “We have a lot of young players who are going to play significant roles.”

Jeannette enjoyed a strong regular season in 2022-23, going 13-8 overall, including 7-5 in the section to place third. Thus, the Jayhawks qualified for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs, but lost to Mohawk 89-65 in the first round.

Four players graduated from that squad, including Gio Merola, who scored a team-best 15.7 points per game. In addition to Merola, who is now playing at Carlow University, Shane Mickens and Jalen Bass are other notable contributors who must be replaced.

Senior guard Isaiah Mallich returns after averaging 11.5 points last season. Sophomore point guard Kymon’e Brown, who produced 8.2 points and 4 assists per game as a ninth grader, will likely be more involved offensively this year, while senior guard Noah Sanders will also be instrumental when he returns from injury in January.

The rest of the rotation will likely be comprised of inexperienced underclassmen. A pair of sophomores – 6-foot-3 Noah Sunder and 6-foot-2 Xavier Odorisio-Farrow – will provide an interior presence, while freshmen Jayce Powell and Markus McGowan will contribute at guard. Moreover, sophomore guard Eli Jones will see notable minutes off the bench.

Reigning Section 3 champion Greensburg Central Catholic returns an experienced squad that should contend for the top spot once again, while Serra Catholic and Clairton also have battle-tested rosters after qualifying for the postseason last campaign. Riverview, which narrowly missed the playoffs, and Springdale could also challenge, while Leechburg rounds out the section.

“Our section is very good. Each team has improved,” said Batts.

In addition to assistant coach Ken Errett, Batts has four of his former players now on staff – Julian Batts, Swade Redman, Darius Brown, and Michael Pompei.

After dropping their season opener to Seton-LaSalle at the Norwin Tournament, the Jayhawks rebounded with victories against Steel Valley, St. Joseph, and East Allegheny.

The section ledger begins with a home showdown against Serra Catholic on Dec. 15.

Jeannette Jayhawks Girls Basketball

Head Coach: Anna Leonard – 2nd season

Conference: Class 1A Section 3

Last Season: 2-20 overall, lost to Eden Christian in WPIAL Class 1A first round

Key Losses: Jordan Bass, Franke Crosby

Key Returners: Mary Jones, Venicia Vignoli

Promising Newcomers: Adriana Allison, Karmen Kistner, Makenna Craft

While the Jeannette girls went just 2-20 last season, the campaign was a big step forward for multiple reasons. First, Jeannette snapped a 51-game losing streak with a victory against Hillel Academy. With another win against Hillel later in the season, the Jayhawks also clinched a playoff berth, finishing in fourth place in the five-team section.

In order to take another step forward this season, however, Jeannette must battle a numbers crunch. At this point, the Jayhawks have just five players on the roster.

With the graduations of Jordan Bass and Franke Crosby, just two players with any experience are back for Jeannette. Senior guard/forward Venicia Vignoli and junior forward Mary Jones will be heavily relied upon to lead the way for the Jayhawks. Vignoli was a First-Team All-Section performer last season, and she’s garnering college interest.

Senior Makenna Craft opted to play this season, while freshmen Adriana Allison and Karmen Kistner will learn on the fly. Allison, a point guard, will be counted on to orchestrate the offense.

Second-year coach Anna Leonard has stressed discipline, fundamentals, and building basketball IQ for her players.

She also believes her squad can ascend the standings in Class 1A Section 3. Last season, St. Joseph captured the section title with a perfect 8-0 mark, while Riverview and Leechburg finished second and third, respectively.

Jeannette has already notched a win this campaign, besting Springdale 48-37 to improve to 1-2 on the season.