Staff file photo / Neel Madhavan. JFK’s Nick Ryan finishes at the time during a game against Mogadore last season.

WARREN — Times have changed for Warren JFK.

One of the most successful senior classes in program history has departed. Having played together since they were kids, the core group of Michael Condoleon, Jaden Rishel, Quinn Meola and Nico Ciminero left behind a legacy of success and hard work that is embedded within the Eagles’ culture.

They won 68 games, two district championships and were two-time regional runner-up, while Condoleon and Rishel each added their names to the list of 1,000-point scorers at JFK.

But, even though that group is gone, the high expectations still remain for the Eagles.

“During the summer, after everybody graduated, we met in June and the expectation was to be in the running for the state final four,” head coach Mark Komlanc said. “I’m not going to lie, that’s the expectation. We’re not there yet, we’re nowhere near that. But come March, our expectation is that we are in the running, or in the talks of being a top-10, top-five, top-four team in the state, and hopefully have the opportunity to get over the hump and get out of regionals.”

During the past several seasons, Komlanc has been more detail-oriented and a little more hands off with that previous group due to the chemistry and experience that they had playing together.

Now, with the new group, Komlanc and his coaching staff are almost starting from scratch.

“It’s different, it’s a nice, new challenge because you kind of have to start coaching again,” Komlanc said. “Now we have a bunch of fresh faces that have been here, but they’ve kind of been in the shadows. You put in work in the shadows, and it’s time to step into the spotlight.

“This group picks things up pretty quickly. First practice was probably the worst practice I’ve had, and I told them that. Then within three days, they did some stuff that I never would have imagined because they pick it up. It’s frustrating at times because there’s some things you wish they already had ingrained in them, but you just keep working on it.”

While the Eagles may be inexperienced as a whole, they do return some experienced pieces that they will rely on this upcoming season.

For JFK, it all starts with senior Nick Ryan, who like Condoleon and Rishel, also crossed the 1,000-point threshold for his career last year.

As a junior, Ryan nearly averaged a double-double with 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and he’ll be the focal point this season for the Eagles on both ends of the floor.

“We’re going to try to force him to be a little bit more aggressive. He’s just super efficient, and in order for us to be at our best, he might have to take a few more shots than he has in the past,” Komlanc said. “He’s always been a quiet leader, but I think he’s been a little more vocal at practice. Obviously the guys look up to him as a four-year starter and four-year letterwinner. He’s probably one of the best players in Division VII in the state, and he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. We’re going to ask a little bit more of him offensively and defensively — he’s going to have to step up, but he’s always done that.”

The two other returners that saw some playing time last year are Henry Phillips and Christian Swogger.

Phillips just helped JFK’s boys golf team repeat as state champions and averaged 5.6 points per game last season, while shooting 43% from three. Swogger was a key defender for the Eagles last season and shot 40% from beyond the arc.

Senior Matt Wagner is also back. He’s one of the players that’s been around the program for awhile, but hasn’t played much at the varsity level. He’s someone who’ll see his role increase this year.

“I think they all know they have to step up,” Komlanc said. “Henry’s had moments where he stepped up. He’s shown that he’s ready to do that. … Christian has always been in the mix defensively, and he’ll probably be one that I think may surprise people the most because I think he can go out there and score anywhere from 8-15 (points) on any given night without realizing it.”

Even though some of JFK’s new pieces didn’t play for the team last season, they’re still coming in with some varsity experience.

Both seniors Dom Ryan and Noah Elser are back for the Eagles after taking a year off from basketball. Dom opted to focus on soccer and baseball last year, while Elser was JFK’s sixth man off the bench two seasons ago, before he decided to just focus on track last year.

“Those two coming back are a huge help,” Komlanc said. “They played varsity level basketball before. Their roles are going to be a little bit more than what they were when they played last time.”

Meanwhile, junior Preston Geracitano is a transfer who joins the Eagles this season after moving to Girard.

JFK has several other players that make up the rest of the roster, including a few football players that joined the team once football season ended, but their role remains up in the air.

“Kind of waiting to feel that process out,” Komlanc said. “As far as beyond those eight guys, I don’t know yet. But I think we have a pretty solid eight, nine guys and that’s always the expectation moving forward come March.”

JFK has played a fast, up-tempo style in recent years. While Komlanc wants to still play that way, he acknowledges that they may also have to run more things in the half-court than they have in the past.

“We’re trying to figure it out,” Komlanc said. “Coaching staff and as a team right now. I know that they have the talent, the ability. It’s just our job as a staff to figure out what’s the best fit for them.”

As always, the Eagles have a tough schedule ahead of them in 2024-2025, and they will open the season on Dec. 3 at New Castle (Pa.).