CONNORVILLE –Stevie Roberts is a diehard Panther.

Roberts is a Buckeye Local High graduate, earning multiple letters in basketball. After gaining his West Liberty University degree, he returned to serve his alma mater for five seasons as an assistant with the boys’ basketball program. Roberts is also an English and Social Studies teacher at Buckeye Local Junior High School.

With such solid Panther grooming, the time is now for Roberts to lead the Buckeye Local varsity boys’ basketball program.

“I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to lead this program,” Roberts noted. “Buckeye Local basketball means a lot to me, and I am beyond excited to pour everything I have into this program and community.”

Roberts takes over a squad that went 4-19 last winter. With that said, he has much work on his plate.

Buckeye Local does possess some battle-tested players back in the fold, including four starters and two other lettermen. The roster also features solid numbers.

Roberts’ nucleus will include returning starters in 6-4 senior Haden Wilhelm, 6-4 senior Rylan Walker, 5-10 senior Grant Dombroski and 5-10 junior Xzavier Eastham along with returning lettermen – 6-2 junior Kolton Carothers and 6-0 senior Jusante Wright.

Wilhelm will start at center.

“Haden has been a tremendous leader for us. He began taking a leadership role over the summer and it has paid dividends for the team and his own individual growth,” Roberts said. “In the past he has been sort of a one dimensional player, but he has taken incredible strides in developing many aspects of his game.”

Carothers and Dombroski will be the point guards while Wright will hold down the power forward slot.

“Kolton, Jusante and Grant all played meaningful minutes for us last season and we are excited to have them back,” Roberts noted.

Walker and Eastham are both key and seasoned performers but are both currently sidelined.

“I am hopeful to get Xzavier and Rylan at some point during the season. They both started last year and will really help our depth when they return,” he continued.

Senior Matt Morris (5-9) and junior Kyle Kirkland (6-0) are expected to bring energy and punch to the backcourt

“Matt and Kyle will be counted on heavily to provide a spark and be dynamic guards. They have shown a ton of growth over the last 5-6 months,” Roberts stated.

Roberts is counting on one sophomore to be a varsity contributor in 5-11 Jacob Piatt.

“Jacob is our youngest player looking to crack into the rotation,” Roberts noted. “He has made a pretty great freshmen-sophomore year jump.”

Roberts is hoping for a deep bench as four upperclassmen may supply quality depth at four different positions.

Senior Kamden Kinyo is a guard while classmate Cameron Beranek is a small forward. Junior Chase Worwa is a power forward while fellow junior Tyler Schubert is a center.

The balance of the roster includes: junior guards Drew Custer and Jonas Eddy, sophomores Mason Young (forward), Wyatt Kennedy (guard) and Quintin Filipovich (guard) and frosh Wyatt Cochran (guard), Jeremiah Buress (guard) and forward Ryan Palmer.

Veteran Buckeye Local icon Joe Soos will be Roberts’ top assistant while former Buckeye Local hoop standout Cameron Best will be the head JV coach. Trevor Zanes is also on the varsity staff. Jim Kendle and J.D Nidle will handle the junior high squads.

Roberts has four goals as he embarks on his main voyage as Buckeye Local head coach.

“We want to play to our standard every night,” Roberts offered. “We also want to crack double-digit wins for the first time since 2021, finish in the top four in OVAC 4A and win a sectional playoff game.”

Buckeye Local opens its regular-season campaign on Nov. 26 at Bellaire. The Panthers will make their home debut on Dec. 2 against River.

“I want to build a strong culture that enables this program for long-term success. Winning is important but setting a standard of play and reaching that standard every game/practice will be our goal,” Roberts noted. “I want us to be the hardest working team every night. Getting the Buckeye Local community reinvested into the basketball program is also a goal of mine.”