Improved chemistry has Burrell boys basketball team thinking big

By: Nathan Breisinger
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 4:45 PM

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Something special is brewing within the Burrell boys basketball program.

You don’t have to look hard to find a Bucs team full of playmakers, depth, senior leadership and playoff experience.

On top of all those qualities for fifth-year coach Mike Fantuzzo, a new element has surfaced with the team: togetherness.

“Last year, they weren’t so close,” Fantuzzo said. “They weren’t such a tight unit because of the younger kids who the older kids had not seen yet. Now that they’ve been playing together, they are really tight, and I think that’s an important piece to have that chemistry.”

From the senior starters on down, the Bucs will not just rely on individual scoring prowess as it has in the past. Instead, they will stress a team-first approach.

“They have developed the chemistry where last year, they wouldn’t pass the ball to some kids because they don’t trust them. Now they trust each other. It’s something we preach. We have to play as a team and win as a team. It can’t just be two guys out there. They are buying into that, which has been different from the past,” Fantuzzo said.

The Bucs return their starting five from a season ago, when they finished 13-10 and 9-3 in section play to earn a second consecutive playoff appearance.

“They have playoff experience now,” Fantuzzo said about his seniors. “Now, they know how to win basketball games, and they know what not to do to lose games.”

Leading the way will be Valley News Dispatch first-team All-Star Macky Bennis. As a junior, Bennis averaged 21.9 points and shot 44% from 3-point territory.

“He’s our leader,” Fantuzzo said. “If we’re in a tight spot, he’ll get the ball and make a play, whether it’s a basket or a pass to an open player.

Bennis also will serve as the tone-setter on defense along with fellow senior Dylan McKalip, Fantuzzo said.

Entering this season, Burrell expects its defense to be equally important as its strong offense that it has been equipped with over the past few years.

“I think we can be very dynamic defensively,” Fantuzzo said “That was a thing two years ago, it was OK. Last year, it was a lot of younger kids learning how to do it. Now, we’re going to change up some things defensively and give them some different looks, which will take us to that next step.”

The Bucs will run their offense through junior point guard Tucker Bitar, who averaged 15 points last season, including a team-high 11 points in the first-round playoff loss against Yough.

“We really look for him to handle the ball a lot better than last year, setting up the offense,” Fantuzzo said. “He’s another kid that has a knack to score.”

Senior guard Joey Discello will be another critical piece to the offense. He missed time last year with an injury, but when healthy, he provides an essential third scoring option.

Controlling the paint will be 6-foot-4 Esau King-Buchak, who averaged seven rebounds a year ago.

“Esau really got better. We are going to look down low for him more,” Fantuzzo said. “He can also shoot a little bit on the outside, so he can give teams some fits with bringing them outside, then beating them to the hoop. He has more of a dynamic role.”

As Burrell expects to go as many as 10 players deep into its rotation, the Bucs will look for the emergence of senior Malik Buchak. After being hurt his sophomore season and seeing limited action last year, the big man will look to play significant minutes.

“Malik could potentially start for us this year,” Fantuzzo said. “He cuts to the hoop really well, and we find him. He’s very athletic and quick. He’s more of a mismatch where he can play outside, but he’s so good around the hoop.”

Senior forward Ryan Croushore and guard Coulter Christie will add depth off the bench.

With a new sense of confidence this season heightened by the experience and veteran leadership, Burrell aims to compete for a section title.

“Between the change in defense and the additional success and development of these players, I think we can win a lot of games this year, more than we’ve done in the past,” Fantuzzo said.

At a glance

Coach: Mike Fantuzzo

Last season’s record: 13-10 (9-3 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Mackey Bennis (sr., G), Tucker Bitar (jr., G), Joey Discello (sr., G), Dylan McKalip (sr., G) Esau King-Buchak (sr., F)

Top newcomer: Malik Buchak (sr., F)

Tags: Burrell