With four of five starters still playing football in early November, Jeannette had to wait to have full basketball practices.
The only difference this year for veteran coach Adrian Batts was he was waiting to get his WPIAL champions back into basketball shape.
The Jayhawks may not be in prime form early on — even in the home opener Dec. 2 against Steel Valley when they get their championship rings — but the idea is to be at their best when it matters most.
At Jeannette, the regular season is about progress. Sometimes, it is a slow build to something big.
“Defense should be there,” said Batts, who begins his 18th season. “That is what will carry us and get us through December, and we get ready for (section play in) January.”
Jeannette had a banner season in 2024-25 as it won its first WPIAL title since 2008 and tied a school record with 25 wins.
The Jayhawks are loaded again and are primed to defend their Class 2A title.
“Our goals aren’t going to change,” Batts said. “We want to win the section, repeat as WPIAL champs and win a state title. Our guys know what it takes to get there. They need to come in every day and challenge each other. We know we have a target on our backs. We’re going to get everyone’s best game.”
Primed to run it back are returning starters Kymon’e Brown, Markus McGowan, Jayce Powell, Xavier Odorisio-Farrow (6-foot-2), and Noah Sunder (6-3) — the nucleus that helped Jeannette handle Union in the WPIAL final, 63-29.
Brown, Odorisio-Farrow and Sunder are seniors. McGowan and Powell are juniors.
The Jayhawks, who averaged 66 points and allowed 41, reached the PIAA quarterfinals before falling to rival Greensburg Central Catholic, 46-35.
Brown, a talented point guard, was a TribLive first-team all-star who averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists and 3.7 steals.
McGowan (16.1 ppg) was an all-state second-teamer, showing touch from the perimeter and giving the Jayhawks a consistent 3-point threat.
“I’m feeling pretty confident this season that we’re going to win it again,” McGowan said. “Same team’s back. I’m feeling great getting ready to play, and the coaches are feeling pretty good, too.
“I know what I am capable of. … It’s going to be a good year.”
Powell (11.2 ppg) is a steadying two guard who missed some time last season with an ankle injury, while Odorisio-Farrow and Sunder are true post players whose value is equally important on both ends of the floor.
McGowan did not play football this year to focus solely on basketball.
Both Brown and McGowan could reach 1,000 career points this season. Brown needs 138, McGowan 288.
“Kymon’e is our leader,” Batts said. “Markus, we expect him to be better all-around this year. Markus will lead us until everybody catches up to him.”
Batts wants Jeannette to play fast and create scoring from turnovers.
“We want to make it a track meet,” Batts said.
Jeannette’s bench will include juniors McAlister Steele, Noah Clary and Carter Mallich, sophomore Tsarr Detar and 6-3 senior newcomer Zamyi Moore.
“They will be chopping for an opportunity,” Batts said. “They may be situational players. We need them to be like the three guys who gave us great minutes last year in Lonnie Greene, Stone Markham and Jerry Davis.”
The schedule has been fortified with nonsection games against Indiana, Bishop Canevin, Norwin, Franklin Regional and others.
Jeannette boys at a glance
Coach: Adrian Batts
Last year’s record: 25-3 (12-2 Section 1-2A)
Returning starters: Kymon’e Brown (Sr., G), Markus McGowan (Jr., G), Xavier Odorisio-Farrow (Sr., F), Jayce Powell (Jr. G), Noah Sunder (Sr., F)
Others to watch: Noah Clary (Jr., G), McAlister Steels (Jr., F)
Top newcomers: Tsarr Detar (So., G), Carter Mallich (Jr., G), Zamyi Moore (Sr., G/F)
SCHEDULE
11.28Indiana^5 p.m.
11.29Windber^11 a.m.
12.2Steel Valley7:30 p.m.
12.6Woodford County (Ky.) 3:15 p.m.
12.9Summit Academy7:30 p.m.
12.12at California*7 p.m.
12.16Bentworth*7:30 p.m.
12.19at Riverview*7:30 p.m.
12.20 Norwin#3 p.m.
12.23at Frazier*7 p.m.
12.29Bishop Canevin%7:30 p.m.
12.30TBA%
1.6Springdale*7:30 p.m.
1.9at Greensburg Central Catholic*7:30 p.m.
1.13Clairton*7:30 p.m.
1.16California*7:30 p.m.
1.20at Bentworth*7 p.m.
1.23Riverview*7:30 p.m.
1.27Frazier*7:30 p.m.
1.30at Springdale*7:30 p.m.
1.31Franklin Regional$TBA
2.3Greensburg Central Catholic*7:30 p.m.
2.6at Clairton*7:30 p.m.
*Section game
^Latrobe tipoff tournament
at CCAC Allegheny
#WCCA Showcase
%North Allegheny holiday tournament
$Saint Vincent Shootout