Heading East: Cherol excited about challenge

The former Wilson coach thinks he’ll have athleticism but little size.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Picture a truck driver rolling down a road side-by-side with another unoccupied truck.

Then the driver jumps from his old vehicle to the cab of a new one while both vehicles are still in motion.

The abandoned vehicle was eventually demolished.

The one he hopped onto finally had a driver who kept the truck in service for years.

Mark Cherol is that driver who has made the jump as boys basketball coach at Woodrow Wilson to the same position at the new East High School.

The 51-year-old Cherol knows there’s a challenge ahead, but he’s ready.

“I’m not going to shy away from the challenge,” Cherol said of the transition, implemented by the master school plan to consolidate students from various district buildings.

“Hopefully, the kids are looking forward to making East a good representative and bring pride back to Youngstown basketball.”

Cherol, who graduated from Wilson in 1973, leaves the school where he coached since the 1988-89 season.

Uncertain roster

Most of his available varsity talent for 2007-08 will come from Rayen.

One is Kenny Carter, who was a sophomore starter for Rayen coach Jason McCray.

Cherol will be losing some key players from Wilson, two of whom are headed to Chaney and another who may end up in the parochial system.

Lamar McQueen, Wilson’s point guard who made second-team All-City last season, should be playing elsewhere for his senior year.

“He was a good leader,” Cherol said, who expects Raylin Poindexter and Aaron Poindexter to shift to Chaney.

Raylin started most of the season as a sophomore, while his brother, who will be a senior, was a reserve.

Two former Wilson junior varsity players who will try to make the new East High Panthers squad will be Mark Thorton and Jamil Wilkens.

Both Thorton and Wilkens will be entering their junior years.

Cherol is as unsure of his staff as he is of his team’s new personnel.

“Everything’s in the air,” Mark said of McCray’s uncertainty of a position in the system.

Steve Flores was Cherol’s assistant at Wilson, but his future, job-wise, is tenuous.

“Hopefully, he’ll remain on, but it’s questionable,” Cherol said. “There’s still a lot up in air.”

Cherol moves from an old building with much tradition to a brand new facility.

“I’ve heard the gym is absolutely beautiful. We’ll also have an auxiliary gym which will be beneficial. I’m used to an old little band box.”

Strong conference

The coach is anticipating more Steel Valley Conference competition.

“I hope we put things together because the league will be strong again,” he said of opponents such as Harding, Ursuline, Mooney and Warren JFK.

“I even look for Chaney to be stronger, so there are a lot of tough teams to battle. We’ve got to come ready to play and win.”

Cherol won’t get a true picture of his player pool until September, when school choices have been made and grades have been finalized.

As of now, he’s anticipating players 6-foot-1 and under.

“We’ll have good athleticism, but no size.”

After many years at Wilson, Cherol is changing surroundings and situations.

“It’s like starting all over again. I’m looking forward to it. We can be very competitive next year.”

bassetti@vindy.com