Boys reserve coach has team even in league play

Coach Pat Birtch moves into his first season as the Spartans’ junior varsity mentor after one season as assistant coach and two other campaigns as a member of the Hudson School District.

Off to a 2-4 start and a 1-1 Federal League mark, his team is 1-2 both at home and on the road, which has him looking for the right formula to make a run in league play.

Point guard Alex Passas, forward Brian Butts and Joe Markovitch both see playing time with both the junior varsity and varsity squads. Guard Danny Watkins and forwards T.J. Irving and Butts are the four players that have consistently drawn the starting assignments for junior varsity thus far.

Other players the first-year head mentor has relied on for considerable playing time include Bobby Diamond, LeAndre Jackson, Phil Hall and Nate Struharik.

After their game with the Chaney Cowboys on Dec. 30, the Spartans will host Canfield Jan. 5 then will travel to league foe Canton GlenOak Friday.