New players, coaches make outlook uncertain for Juan Diego hoops teams

DRAPER — Mystery is the word that best describes the Juan Diego boys and girls basketball teams as this season progresses. The boys team won region last year but graduated five starters. Despite that, they have a lot of experience from their junior varsity and sophomore programs coming up and a tough schedule designed to prepare them down the stretch, and once they get past some key injuries, they could be capable of anything. The girls have a new coach and some new faces on the floor and have already won as many games this year as they won over the course of the whole season last year. Both teams are definitely capable of playing spoiler down the stretch but could accomplish even more once they get into their regular seasons.

BOYS: Having graduated all five starters from last year and with three key players suffering injuries in the pre-season, the Soaring Eagle are almost a total enigma headed into the season.

Although there is a new starting five, four are seniors and all five have been successful at the sophomore and junior varsity levels. Senior Devin Thomas came off the bench as the sixth man last year and has the most experience out of the newcomers. At the point, Carson Wentlender is also a senior and will be a key leader for the Soaring Eagle.

"Carson has played point at the JV and sophomore levels, he knows the system and the seniors look to him for leadership," Juan Diego head coach Sonny Tangaro said.

Tangaro also hopes to utilize the versatility of senior starters Pat Fratto and Michael Falvo.

"Pat is a wing, but he ends up playing inside a lot because he's such a good rebounder and an aggressive defender. He's not flashy but a workhorse," Tangaro said. "Michael is probably our strongest offensive player, and if he works hard on defense and rebounding, he could be a very good complete player."

Junior Talon Harris, the fifth and final starter, suffered several major injury problems last year. Ironically, he's stepped up and filled the gap this year due to injuries to several other players. Junior Josh Nagel suffered an injured calf, Tyler Bauman, a senior, is out with a high ankle sprain, and senior Josh Rude, a standout at strong safety for the Soaring Eagle football team, broke his collarbone immediately following the football season and is out four to six weeks.

"Talon is our surprise this year. Because of the other injuries, he got the opportunity, and he's making the most of it," Tangaro said.