STEVIE ROBERTS

CONNORVILLE — Official high school basketball practice in Ohio is nearing. With that as a backdrop, Buckeye Local has a new head boys’ hoop coach.

Stevie Roberts has been named head coach for the Panthers. He is well groomed for the post as he is a former player and assistant coach with the Buckeye Local basketball program. He replaces Chris Heaton.

Roberts was a multiple-year letterman at Buckeye Local in basketball, playing point guard. He was a member of the historic 2016 Buckeye Local team that took down Steubenville Big Red in the sectionals.

After picking up his Buckeye Local diploma in 2019, Roberts matriculated to West Liberty University where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

He is currently working on his master’s degree at Muskingum University.

“This will be my fifth season at Buckeye Local. I began coaching junior high at Buckeye in the 2021-22 season,” Roberts said. “I moved up to varsity assistant/JV head coach before the 2023-2024 season.”

Roberts has a quality staff already in place.

Veteran Buckeye Local coaching stalwart Joe Soos will be Roberts’ top assistant while former Buckeye Local standout hoopster Cameron Best will be the head JV coach.

“I want to build a strong culture that enables this program for long-term success. Winning is important but setting a standard of play and reaching that standard every game/practice will be our goal,” Roberts noted. “I want us to be the hardest working team every night. Getting the Buckeye Local community reinvested into the basketball program is also a goal of mine.”

Roberts is a Middle School English and Social Studies teacher at Buckeye Local Junior High School.

“We are excited to hire Coach Roberts to take over the varsity program for the 2025-2026 season. He has coached the last few years at the reserve level under Coach Heaton,” Buckeye Local Superintendent Coy Sudvary said. “I would like to thank Coach Heaton for all the time and effort he put into the program. We wish Coach Roberts the best in continuing to rebuild the program.”

Roberts, who is 25 and single, resides in New Alexandria.

“I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to lead this program,” Roberts noted. “Buckeye Local basketball means a lot to me, and I am beyond excited to pour everything I have into this program and community.”