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Dec 18, 2023 By John Sacco 4 min read

The past two seasons have been rough for the Frazier boys basketball team.

The Commodores have lost 40-of-43 games the last two seasons after posting a 3-19 mark in 2022-23 and 0-21 record in 2021-2022.

Coach Zach Keefer thinks Frazier fortunes will make a turn for the better this season.

The Commodores return a half-dozen lettermen, including seniors Brock Aleckson (6-10) and Brennan Stewart (6-0), and juniors Conlan Higbee (5-9), Josh Higbee (5-8), Aiden Hardy (6-3) and Dylan Kielbach (6-2). Sophomore Jackson Blaney (6-1) joins those lettermen on the roster.

In addition, Keefer said the program and team will be improved with the return of junior Dalian McManus (6-1) – back from a knee injury that led him to miss the entire season last year.

He’s also counting on junior Trey Whitehead (6-2), senior Darian Bateman (6-4) and freshman Brant Alekson (6-4).

“I really like our depth this year,” Keefer said. “For the first time in a few seasons we should have a much deeper bench to play four quarters of basketball. With the addition of a few new faces, we will need to work hard to build chemistry on the court together. But, this group has a ton of potential. Also, I believe our height can be used as an advantage across the board on both ends of the floor.”

Keefer added, “We have got to do a better job on the defensive end of the floor and it starts with the overall defensive mindset. We are going to have to grind games out if we want to have success.

“We need to try and dictate the pace of play and it will start with taking care of the basketball, playing tough, physical defense, and doing our best to limit teams’ second chance opportunities on the boards.

“All our guys will be able to chip in any given night offensively. We can’t ever take nights off on defense. If we can do this each game, we will be able to put ourselves in a position to be in games for four quarters. We need to play with a sense of urgency from the opening tip.”

The Commodores will compete in Section 4-AA with Bentworth, Fort Cherry, Chartiers-Houston, Carmichaels, Burgettstown and Beth-Center.

“Fort Cherry has key guys returning and until someone beats them, they are the top team at the start, and with them just winning a WPIAL football title, they are coming into the winter as winners and successful,” Keefer said.

“Burgettstown has a lot of size and skill returning. I think all of us have experienced players coming back which lends itself to battles throughout the section. I look for our section to be very competitive as we have great players and coaches throughout.”

Keefer had not settled on a starting lineup.

“I’m excited about all the guys,” Keefer said. “We do not have a starting five penciled in yet as all these guys have been battling for those spots and honestly, it may change game to game.

“But, when I think about our team, it starts with the senior leadership of Brock, Brennan, and Josh. They were the guys consistently there during the offseason and pushing their teammates to be better. We will lean on these guys heavily. Not only them, but also getting Dailan back from injury as our point guard should help our offense run smoother.”

“Conlan and Josh are great defensively and run the floor well in transition. We have multiple shooters in Stewart, Hardy, Whitehead, Blaney and the previously mentioned Higbees,” added Keefer. “But, probably most importantly, we have a talented group of big guys that are physical, have a desire to defend, and will get rebounds in Keilbach, Bateman, and both Aleksons.”

Keefer likes where his team is as they enter the season.

“This is probably the best offseason I’ve had since taking over the program seven years ago,” said Keefer. “These kids have been working hard since April-May. I’m excited to see the growth they’ve made to be put into game-like situations.

“I’m proud of their efforts thus far. We had a lot of young guys gain valuable experience last season.”