CM Hoops returning plenty of talent this season

By Bees O’Brien

MILL HALL- Central Mountain boys basketball head coach Tyler Bardo has plenty of reason to be excited for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Bardo is set to return ten players from last season’s 13-10 squad and amongst them will be leading scorer Hunter Hoy.

Hoy proved to be a dangerous playmaker for the Wildcats and he will be one of four returning seniors. Three point sniper Max Verrelli and floor general Caleb Mahoney are both back for their senior seasons in Mill Hall. 6’2” Jeremy Reese rounds out an experienced group and junior Blake Walker had some big moments a season ago.

6’5” junior Calen Hunter will give the Wildcats some depth at the center spot. He is listed as the tallest player on the Central Mountain roster.

Bardo’s strong returning group will be challenged within PHAC play and also they will deal with a very challenging nonconference slate that begins December 4 when they are set to host the Beavers of Dubois out of District 9.

The Wildcats will then be tested at the Milton tipoff tournament over the weekend. The host Black Panthers, 2A state qualifiers Northwest and a dangerous Warrior Run make up that field. CM is set to open on Friday for that tournament, with a game on Saturday as well.

Central Mountain’s nonconference schedule also will see the Wildcats travel to Penns Valley, Central, Loyalsock and a return trip to Dubois. A trip to Williamsport to face St. John Neumann is also on their slate.

Central Mountain will also meet Forest Hills at home in a nonconference meeting on January 13. Also new to the Wildcats’ schedule will be Nativity BVM. The Green Wave are set to travel to Mill Hall on February 6.

Within the Pennsylvania Heartlad, CM will be challenged. Jersey Shore Midd-West, Montoursville, Shamokin, Shikellamy and Selinsgrove will all be looking to grab the conference title.

Central Mountain will also meet Williamsport on February 11 at home.

Coach Bardo knows of the challenges that the 2024-25 schedule has in store for his squad.

“Our nonconference schedule is full of some quality programs. We will have to play at a high level every night.” Said Bardo “Conference play is always tough. The PHAC is loaded with physicality and quality coaching. There is a lot of experience throughout and we will need to be very detailed throughout those ten games to put ourselves in the mix.”

With a talented roster returning, these Wildcats should find themselves in the mix, which should bring a lot of excitement to Mill Hall in 2024-25.