A Young Cardinals Squad Eyes Future Success
The Mentor Cardinals basketball team arrived at the Midwest Live showcase with a roster that reads like a promise of things to come. Only two seniors, Zac Reilly and Bernard Gnjatic, anchor a lineup dominated by juniors and sophomores eager to prove themselves. The team’s recent performances have already turned heads, especially after a series of tightly contested games against seasoned opponents.
Coach Bob Krizancic, now in his 15th season at the helm, emphasized that the event is as much about experience as it is about results. “We’re looking to build confidence and leadership,” he said, noting that each close game against strong teams like Avon, Brush and Warrensville serves as a building block for the players.
At the heart of the squad is returning point guard Jack Kennedy, who averaged 18.7 points per game last season and will once again orchestrate the offense. He is joined by Logan Lynch, the second‑leading scorer with 8.6 points per game, and a trio of sharpshooters — Tommy Pavicic, Connor Witte and the ever‑consistent Bernard Gnjatic — who together knocked down 76 three‑pointers during the 2025‑26 campaign.
Inside the paint, the 6‑foot‑6 Connor Witte is expected to dominate the boards, while 6‑foot‑4 sophomore Jonas Heleberger adds depth and hustle. Complementary pieces such as Luke Gerard, Silas Bilen, Jack Lairson and the emerging duo of Nate Sabin and Mason Sauric provide a deep bench that can shift momentum at any moment.
The Cardinals’ weekend at Midwest Live produced three victories — over Brush (59‑55), Alliance (52‑47) and Jackson (69‑39) — and a heartbreaking one‑point loss to Avon in sudden‑death overtime. Those results, coupled with a series of nail‑biting finishes against Warrensville and Brush, have left the team buzzing with confidence as they look ahead to the next chapter of their season.