Staff file photo/Neil Madhavan. JFK’s Nick Ryan scored a goal against Mogador last season.
WARREN — Times have changed for Warren JFK.
One of the most successful senior classes in program history has graduated. The core group of Michael Condreon, Jayden Richel, Quinn Meola and Nico Ciminello, who have played together since childhood, left a legacy of success and hard work that is embedded in the Eagles’ culture.
They won 68 games, had two district championships and two district runner-up finishes, and Condreon and Richelle each joined JFK University’s list of 1,000-point scorers.
But even with that group gone, high expectations for the Eagles still remain.
“After we all graduated over the summer, we met in June and we were expected to make it to the top four at state.” head coach Mark Comlanc said. “I’m not going to lie, that’s the expectation. We’re not there yet, and we’re far from there. But come March, we’ll be top 10 in the state, top 10 in the state, We’ve got the potential to be a top-five, top-four team, or we’re seeing that, and hopefully we’ll have a chance to get over the hump and get out there.”
Over the past few seasons, Komlanc has become more detail-oriented, and their experience and chemistry playing together has led them to distance themselves a bit from their previous group.
Now with a new group, Comran and his coaching staff are starting almost from scratch.
“It’s different. It’s like having to start coaching again, so it’s a great new challenge.” Comrank said. “There are a lot of fresh faces here right now, but they’ve been kind of in the shadows. If they’ve been working hard in the shadows, it’s time for them to step into the spotlight.
“This group picks things up quickly. The first practice was probably my worst practice, so I told them that. Within three days, they picked it up. So I’ve done some things that I never would have imagined. It’s frustrating sometimes because there are some things that I wish were already ingrained in me, but I just keep working at it.”
The Eagles may be inexperienced overall, but they do have some experienced players back that they will lean on in the coming seasons.
For JFK, it all starts with senior Nick Ryan, who, like Condreon and Richelle, crossed the career 1,000 point threshold last year.
Ryan nearly recorded a double-double as a junior, averaging 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and will be a mainstay for the Eagles on both ends of the floor this season.
“We’re going to force him to be a little more aggressive. He’s very efficient and for us to perform at our best, we’re going to have to take a few more shots than before. Maybe.” Comrank said. “He’s always been a quiet leader, but I think he’s gotten a little bit more vocal in practice. The players obviously respect him as a four-year starter and a four-year letterwinner. He’s probably one of the best players in Division VII in the state, but he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. We’re going to ask him a little more offensively and defensively — he needs to step up. But he always did.”
Two other returning players who saw some playing time last year were Henry Phillips and Christian Swogger.
Phillips helped the JFK University men’s golf team win back-to-back state championships, averaging 5.6 points per game and shooting 43 percent from 3-point range last season. Swogger was the Eagles’ primary defender last season, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Senior Matt Wagner also returns. He’s one of those players who’s been with the program for a while, but hasn’t played much at the varsity level. He is a person who is expected to be even more active this year.
“I think they all know they have to step up.” Comrank said. “Henry had his moments to step up and he showed he was ready to do it. …Christian has always been a part of the team on defense and he’s probably the player that surprises people the most. It will be, because I think he can go out there and score eight to 15 (points) at any time without even thinking about it.”
Some of JFK’s new recruits did not play for the team last season, but are joining with national team experience.
Seniors Dom Ryan and Noah Elser return to the Eagles after taking a year off from basketball. Dom chose to focus on soccer and baseball last year, while Elser came off the bench as JFK’s sixth man two seasons ago and decided to focus solely on track and field last year.
“It’s really helpful to have those two back.” Comrank said. “They’ve played varsity level basketball before. Their roles will be a little bit bigger than the last time they played.”
Meanwhile, junior Preston Gelasitano is a transfer player who joined the Eagles this season after going through Girard.
JFK has several other players who make up the rest of the roster, including several football players who joined the team after football season, but their roles are still up in the air.
“It’s like we’re waiting for that process to unfold.” Comrank said. “As far as beyond those eight guys, we don’t know yet. But I think we have a pretty solid eight or nine guys, and that’s always going to be a good thing moving forward into March. There is.”
JFK has been performing in a fast, up-tempo style in recent years. Komlank hopes to continue playing like that, but admits he may need to do more in the half court than he has in the past.
“We’re trying to figure it out.” Comrank said. “Right now, both as a coaching staff and as a team. I know these guys have talent, they have ability, and it’s our job as a staff to figure out what’s best for them.”
As always, the Eagles have a tough schedule in 2024-2025, opening the season on Dec. 3 at New Castle, Pennsylvania.
