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Toronto Returns Almost Everyone Off 20-5 Team

By AARON PETCHAL

TORONTO — The Toronto boys’ basketball team is looking to continue its success from last season.

Last year, the Red Knights had a record of 20-5 in Sean Tucker’s first season at the helm, and Toronto advanced to the Ohio Division IV Eastern District Semifinals before falling to Strasburg, 55-38.

“It is going to be tough to equal last season,” Tucker said. “We had a 20-5 record. We were sectional champs for the first time since the 2003-04 season. We did lose two guys from last year, but the nucleus of the team is back. The guys are continuing to work hard.”

The majority of the team returns as Toronto only lost two seniors.

Toronto has 24 kids in the program, up from 16 last year. Tucker said about 12 guys could possibly see time on the court at the varsity level this season.

The Red Knights return eight lettermen in senior Jake Keenan, juniors Trillion West, Nate Karaffa, Nick Sninchak and Kobe Herrick and sophomores Lucas Gulczynski, A.J. Clegg and Brendan Matyas.

Senior Nolan Clegg is part of the team, but he is not expected to play this season.

“We are still working that out,” Tucker said about who is starters are going to be to start the season. “We are going to have a talented first five. We are going to move guys around. We have average size 2-5.”

The Red Knights are battling out in practice to see who will start and who will come off of the bench to open the season.

“We have guys who are competing,” Tucker said. “Keenan, Karaffa, West, Sninchak, Lucas and Herrick are competing for one of the top five spots. We have some younger guys who are going to push the older guys. They are going to see time as well.”

The younger guys competing for time are Frank Fulton (sophomore), Andre Roach (junior), Clegg and Matyas. Others who may see time are junior Trent Wright and sophomores Zack Berger and Caleb Roberts.

“These guys will continue to mature as the years go by,” Tucker said. “They will see some varsity time. They will contribute.”

Things are going easier so far for Tucker in his second season at Toronto.

“Absolutely,” Tucker said. “My first year was a transition. You get tested. The kids test you. They test the new coach. You have to get them to buy in to what you are doing.”

Tucker will be assisted by longtime friend Joe Ribar as well as Rich Coburn.

Dec. 1: Buckeye Local 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5: at Wellsville 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8: United 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11: East Palestine 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12: at East Palestine 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15: Lisbon 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 19: Columbiana 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22: at Leetonia 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 23: Union Local (at OUE) 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 29: at Malvern 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 3: at Buckeye Local 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5: Southern 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9: Wellsville 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12: at United 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13: at Oak Glen 5 p.m.

Jan. 19: East Palestine 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23: at Lisbon 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26: at Columbiana 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30: Leetonia 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1: at Edison 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: at Southern 7:30 p.m.

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