The Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball team is entering a new era with a new coach at the helm and only one returning varsity player but they are ready to surprise, despite the uncertainty.
“I have been very impressed with the speed at which things are being picked up and learned and the speed at which roles are being formed and assumed,” Coach Andrew Mertz said. “I am still very pleasantly surprised and optimistic, but I do also understand that we are extremely young, and we did lose lots of what we had, and we are kind of to some extent, starting over.”
With six of the Red Devils’ top rotation players having departed, the 2025-26 team will be fueled by a sophomore class with the help of some seniors, although several of those seniors are just returning to basketball after some time away.
According to the first-year coach, that just means new opportunities exist for a new wave of players although the results may not translate to immediate success.
“The group of seniors we lost last year went through a very similar experience in their freshman and sophomore campaigns,” he noted. “They were relied upon to do the same thing and that comes with a lot of growing pains.”
Crestwood’s lone returning player with significant varsity experience will be senior forward Angelo DiNardo, who was a valuable bench player last year averaging 2.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 20 games. last year.
“He is obviously an extremely important part of this team,” Mertz noted of the 6-foot-4 DiNardo. “He made it through football season this year without any major injuries so I think if we can keep him healthy, he will provide a very significant impact on our team.”
Joining the starting five will be senior forward Wyatt Januska, who will be playing his first full season of varsity basketball in what has been an illustrious athletic career with the Red Devils.
“So, while he is raw from a basketball perspective, he is still extremely athletic and extremely physical; he is a big body and he will be relied upon significantly,” Mertz added of the 6-foot-2 senior.”
The Red Devils will also rely on the contribution of senior guards Joel Custer and Kyle Shelhammer, neither of whom played last year because of injuries but will fill vital roles for the team this season.
Crestwood’s sophomore class is headlined by sophomore guard Jackson Mertz, forward Colton Mayle and guard Michael Kalista.
According to Coach Mertz, the 6-foot-1 Mayle brings versatility to the starting rotation in his first season as a full-fledged varsity starter.
“Colton has also grown significantly size-wise and confidence-wise in this last year,” Mertz said. “I could see his growth, he is a very talented and very long type of player, he has a battery that never runs out so he is a guy that is in really good shape, and I can keep him on the floor, and he can play different positions.”
According to Mertz, the Red Devils will also benefit from the sophomore leadership of the 5-foot-7 Kalista, who will serve as one of the primary ball-handlers.
“He is also a very good defender,” Mertz noted. “He is extremely quick. He is not very big, size-wise, but he is extremely athletic and extremely fast. As he gets more and more experience, the one thing that I could see improving out of him is his decision-making, which is huge.”
Coach Mertz also noted the impact that Jackson will have on the team, as his rapid maturity from his freshman season to sophomore campaign will serve him well.
“He has grown significantly from last year to this year, both physically, basketball I.Q. wise,and confidence wise — basically across the board,” he said.”
Coach Mertz included sophomore guards Jack Patton and Evan Rhodes as other players who will help propel the team.
“Jack is a very quick guy, he is arguably one of my best defenders and that will be his major role this year. He will often times be guarding the best player on the other team, often times splitting with another sophomore,” Coach Mertz said.
Coach Mertz also praised the 6-foot Rhodes for bring a defensive toughness to the team, with him, Patton and Januska the squad’s primary defenders.
Crestwood’s Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title hopes will be tested as the league has a new make-up, with Cardinal leaving the conference and Chagrin Falls and Rootstown joining the fray.
“I think we can fare well but again, the big question in my mind is how quickly can we mature as a group and play together well,” Coach Mertz said.
Following their season opener against LaBrae on Tuesday night, the Red Devils will begin league play by traveling to face CVC Valley Division rival Chagrin Falls at the Ralph L. Quisinberry Gymnasium on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
