With deepest lineup in years, Brentwood boys excited about season’s possibilities

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Brentwood boys basketball team had a great deal of anticipation for the tipoff of the 2024-25 season. And it started with their veteran coach, Dan Thayer.

“Our expectations for this year’s team are high,” Thayer said. “We return eight players from last year’s team and have added three new players. We have not had depth like this since the pre-pandemic seasons. We feel with our depth we should be able to play at a fast pace.

“We have moved down to Class 2A this season, so we are not sure what our opponents will be like, but we feel we should be a highly competitive team.”

Returning starters for the Spartans are 5-foot-10 senior guards Forrest Betz and Colton Rosing and 5-11 senior guard Aidan Barker.

“With an almost all-guard lineup, we expect to be a fast-paced team, getting up and down the court, using as many subs as possible,” Betz said. “Being in a new conference, it’s hard to predict how the season will go, but I’m very confident in the team and coaching staff this year. I’m expecting a good season.”

Betz was the leading scorer on last year’s team with a 15.5 ppg average.

“Forrest was our leading scorer last year. We would expect that he would lead us in scoring this year,” Thayer said. “What we are really hoping for is that he can develop into a leader on the floor.

“We need him to bring communication and energy to the offensive and defensive end every night. Turning into a true leader on the floor can really accelerate our development as a team.”

Thayer’s also looking for contributions from the five other players back from last year — 6-1 sophomore guard/forward Mike Satler, 6-1 senior guard/forward Joe Klemm, 6-0 senior guard Brett Barker, 5-10 junior guard/forward Wyatt Wooten and 6-0 sophomore guard Orlando Johnson.

“Mike Satler, Joe Klemm and Brett Barker had a great offseason and should play a big role on the team,” Thayer said. “Wyatt Wooten will also add some experience coming off the bench.

“Orlando Johnson played a lot last year but started the season injured. When he returns from injury, he might be able to join the mix also.”

Newcomers hoping to make an impact include 5-9 sophomore G/F Xh’avier Nunez, 6-2 junior F Anthony Miller and 5-10 junior G/F Cedric Davis.

“Xh’avier Nunez, Anthony Miller and Cedric Davis should all be big parts of our success this season,” Thayer said. “We have really added to our depth this offseason. This is the deepest team we’ve had since 2020.

“With this depth, we hope to be able to return to playoff form and potentially contend for a section championship.”

Brentwood competed in Section 2-3A last year and tied for fifth place with Keystone Oaks with a 4-8 record. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Seton LaSalle tied for first at 11-1, followed by South Park (7-5) and Sto-Rox (5-7).

The Spartans, who ended up 6-16 overall in 2023-24, are members of Section 2-2A this season and are joined by Eden Christian Academy, Leechburg, Northgate, Propel Braddock Hills, Sewickley Academy and Winchester Thurston.

Eden Christian, Northgate, Sewickley Academy and Winchester Thurston all advanced to the WPIAL playoffs last season.

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