Fallsnewspress.com - Royal boys basketball team looks to continue tradition

by Steve Batko

Correspondent

Losing eight seniors to graduation would be devastating to most high school boys basketball programs.

Somehow that doesn't happen at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy under veteran coach Jay Peters.

CVCA reached the regionals again last year and tied a school record for wins with 21. It was just two years ago that CVCA started the season with only three athletes with any varsity minutes.

Peters (107-39) somehow has a knack for developing his players in the system to compete each year. This winter, Peters will have his work cut out for him.

Last year, CVCA finished 21-4 with the four losses coming by a mere 12 points. One of those came in the regional semifinals in a 36-34 overtime loss to regional champ Defiance Tinora (22-4).

Defeating Columbia, Independence, Wellington and Cuyahoga Heights by an average of 23.7 points per game, the Royals won its second Division III straight district title and the fourth in the last six years.

The Royals finished the PAC tied for second and were voted the top seed at the Elyria District Tournament for the first time ever.

As always, Peters features a tough defense that only allowed 38.5 points per game last year. That's why CVCA was ranked 10th in Ohio and reached regionals for the fifth time in the last decade. The Royals have reached the regional finals three times and twice under Peters.

CVCA only returns three lettermen, led by senior Xavier Douglas when the locals host Ellet Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

"We are a team that does not have a great deal of experience after graduating a very talented and deep senior class," said Peters.

It will be tough to replace Eric Worthey's athleticism and offensive game. Mark O'Brien's shooting, leadership and ball handling will be sorely missed as will point guard Kyle Curry, plus several post players, including the versatile John Mathoslah, a defensive stopper.

Douglas is a 6-3, 208-pound forward. He bangs the boards, defended and shot 55-percent from the floor. He averaged 6.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. He will hold his own and should flourish, but he needs help.

"Xavier is the lone returnee with any substantial playing experience from last year's team," offered Peters.

Peters will need plenty from Douglas, senior guards Gregg Kutchin (6-0) and Alex Mosteller (5-11), plus junior guard Drew Peterson (5-10). All three have gained vast experience in the junior program at CVCA and will bolster the backcourt.

Pre season scrimmages at Medina, Wooster, Canton South and against Springfield helped the Royals define themselves and create roles.

Douglas will be joined by Mosteller, Kutchin and senior forwards Chad Lyon and Jon Tedeschi in the starting lineup.

Juniors who will contribute will be Peterson, guard Eric Byrd, forward T.J. Hegabotham, and forward Lou Konstan.

However, it will be tough for CVCA to oust a loaded Canton Timken team in the PAC. The league is strong again with the likes of Wooster Triway, Tusky Valley, and Manchester. Timken will shoot for its third straight undefeated league campaign.

"Our league is going to be very competitive," said Peters. "Timken should be the favorite to win the league again while Triway and Manchester should also be very good."

CVCA opens league play Dec. 11 against visiting Fairless, which should be improved this winter. The locals host neighboring Woodridge (9-13) Dec. 12 and play at Timken Dec. 18. All games start at 7:30 p.m.

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