by Preseason workouts for boys basketball are already underway for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Lutheran West is no exception. Coach Duke and the Longhorns are looking to make another run into the playoffs after their loss in the regional semis last year. In total, five players graduated, four of them holding starting positions. Jayson Levis, Derek Fairley, Tino Yli- Junnila, and Dylan Bartchak who were all key pieces on the team and are continuing their careers at the next level. Nick Parker who transfered to Warrensville Heights and Kendyll Compton who moved over to Elyria are not returning to the Longhorns. Both were also key rotation pieces last year.
Even though Coach Duke lost some important players he made it up with recruiting. Coach always pushes recruiting hard in the off season and it pays off. He had pulled in many players from all over Northeast Ohio to Lutheran West. Joining the squad this year include the senior Calo brothers, Ryan and Jake from Mentor, AJ McGuinea from Trinity, Chase Kuszmaul from Saint Ignatius, and others. The new players will join the returning guys including another brother duo of Josh and Matt Meyer, Jakaris “Tink” Shelton, Omar Martinez, Gavyn Kittelberger, Caden Hill, and Jordan Custis. The new Longhorn roster is fresh and filled with talent.
Along with roster changes the competition will change also. OHSAA expanded the divisions to seven from the four divisions previously used. Lutheran West was in Division 2 for the 2023- 24 season but will now play in Division 3. D3 is filled with some very good and competitive teams. Garfield Heights, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Archbishop Hoban, Avon Lake, Olmsted Falls, Twinsburg, Walsh Jesuit, Ashland, Maple Heights, Padua, and Rocky River are all a part of Division 3 as well.
The Horns beat the undefeated Garfield Heights led by Marcus Johnson last year by four, the Division 3 state champions Lutheran East by five, and their rivals Fairview by 41. Their only two losses came against two very good teams in St. Ignatius and Archbishop Hoban. The Longhorns reached the regional semifinals losing to Shelby. In the previous year, 2022-23 they went to the state finals and lost by a missed buzzer beater to Akron Butchel. Lutheran West has had a great record under the coaching of Jordan Duke. The 2024-25 basketball season will be exciting!
