Burrell boys to lean on balanced attack against daunting Section 1-4A foes

By: Greg Macafee
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 4:11 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Over the past few years, Burrell boys basketball coach Mike Fantuzzo has always had a player to lean on who could contribute 15 to 20 points a night.

Brandon Coury, Macky Bennis and Tucker Bitar are all names that come to mind. But, as the Bucs prepare for the 2025-26 season, Fantuzzo said he believes his team will have a more balanced approach.

“Out of our top six, I think any of those guys can score anywhere between 15 and 18 points a game. The important thing is, our opponents shouldn’t be able to key on one person because all of them can put up points,” Fantuzzo said. “I think this is one of the more balanced teams, where we don’t have that Tucker (Bitar), Macky Bennis, Brandon Coury, that we’ve had in the past six, seven years, to where we know we’re going to get 20 points out of this kid per night.

“So, it could be 20 points out of this kid, and this one only has six this day, and then it flips-flops the next game.”

Despite losing Bitar, a first-team All-Valley News Dispatch player, the Bucs return a lot of experience from a year ago after three players graduated.

Senior guard Sam Conte returns to lead the offense after running the show last year. Seniors Adam and Ryan Wass and forwards Gavyn Orr and DJ Cosentino are back as well after providing solid minutes and starting games at times.

Juniors Trey Coury and Paul Wyble, a 6-foot-4 forward, played sparingly last year as sophomores. Fantuzzo said he believes both players are in a position to contribute even more.

“We’re excited,” Fantuzzo said. “We have a couple, not newer players, but guys who we are hoping can give us a ton of minutes.”

The Bucs finished 7-15 last season and just missed out on a playoff appearance after losing eight of their final nine games. While they scored 50.2 points per game, they allowed 54.2 and gave up 55 or more six times during their final nine games.

That has led to more of a defensive focus. With the experience and type of players he has returning, Fantuzzo said he believes the team will be able to increase its defensive efforts with different types of pressure and half-court defenses.

“We’re looking to get after it a little more from a defensive standpoint,” Fantuzzo said. “Picking up more full-court, switching up defenses more often. We have an athletic, faster group that likes to play that way. We have a nice zone defense, trapping full-court defense. So we’re going to try and switch it up a lot more this year.”

Burrell also has a tough road ahead of it. There’s no easy game when it comes to the Bucs’ schedule, as North Catholic, Knoch and Deer Lakes all finished with 18 or more wins last season.

Knoch and Deer Lakes fell in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals, while North Catholic made a run to the championship and the PIAA semifinals.

“We feel like we have a lot of different weapons, but we also have a very competitive section, too,” Fantuzzo said. “I think it’s probably the strongest 4A section with North Catholic and Deer Lakes and Knoch. Freeport has everyone back, and Highlands has everyone back. So, we’re in the same boat as everyone else.”

Burrell boys at a glance

Coach: Mike Fantuzzo

Last year’s record: 7-15 (4-8 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Sam Conte (Sr., G), Gavyn Orr (Sr., F), DJ Cosentino (Sr., F), Ryan Wass (Sr., G), Adam Wass (Sr., G/F)

Others to watch: Trey Coury (Jr., G), Paul Wyble (Jr., F)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

11.28, TBD^, TBD

11.29, TBD^, TBD

12.5, Springdale, 7:30 p.m.

12.10, at Leechburg, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

12.16, at Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

1.6, Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, at Valley*, 6:40 p.m.

1.16, at Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

1.21, at North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, at Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

1.27, North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, at Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

2.1, vs. Armstrong+, 3 p.m.

2.3, Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Burrell tip-off tournament

+At Saint Vincent College

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Burrell