A solid group of returning players who boast plenty of skill and leadership qualities has new Bishop Canevin coach Tim Tyree Jr. optimistic about the Crusaders’ chances as they head into their 2025-26 boys basketball season.
Bishop Canevin is coming off a successful 2024-25 season that included a Class 3A Section 2 championship and a trip to the WPIAL tournament semifinals.
The Crusaders fell to Aliquippa in the semifinals and ultimately lost to Bishop Guilfoyle in a first-round PIAA tournament game to finish 15-12 overall.
Several key players from that team are back for more, and that has helped Tyree adjust to his new role.
“Coming in my first year, I’m trying to feel comfortable with my players and they’re trying to feel comfortable with me and my coaching style,” said Tyree, whose team opens its season at 4:30 p.m. Friday against Elizabeth Forward at the West Mifflin Tournament and then plays Belle Vernon Saturday at the same event.
“Obviously we’ll both grow throughout the season, but early on comfortability will be the key.”
Tyree is no stranger to success, having led Vincentian Academy to a pair of WPIAL championships before the school closed. He spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach – one year at Chatham University and four years at North Allegheny.
He said the Crusaders will operate a little differently from the way they played under former coach Aaron McGee, who resigned earlier this year, a little over a year after taking over late in the 2023-24 season.
“This is no knock on their style of play under (McGee) — he’s a good friend and I have great respect for him,” Tyree said. “But I want to do more ball screen action, utilize some mismatches and make it easier on our guys.”
To that end, Tyree said Drew Allen Jr., Lamier Wade and Jackson Maddix will play key roles in the Crusaders’ offensive plans.
In addition to his scoring ability, Allen has shown great leadership from Day 1, Tyree said.
“He’s someone I’ve been leaning on – he’s let me know about the Bishop Canevin culture,” he said. “He’s a legacy kid – his sisters went there. He understands Bishop Canevin and takes on leadership characteristics you want to see in your best player. But you don’t always see that.
“I’m excited to see how he’ll do his senior year.”
Tyree called Wade “super athletic” and said his wingspan allows him to play taller than his 6-foot-5 frame. A standout on the football field as well, Wade has been attracting interest from college coaches in both sports, Tyree said.
Tyree said Maddix, a 6-foot-1 junior who also excels on the baseball diamond, provides great versatility as well as high-level leadership skills.
“Jackson is someone we’ll lean on,” Tyree said. “He’s like that Swiss army knife – he can do so much. He’s a glue guy – I trust him to get us into our (offensive) sets and give us the opportunity to score and be successful.”
Another multisport athlete who will contribute is Damar Olds, who can help the Crusaders up the tempo “and get after people,” Tyree said.
Guards Hakeen Hawkins, a 5-11 junior, and Jahlil Benton, a 5-8 sophomore, will help run the show from the backcourt, and Tyree said they’ll fill key roles.
“I like my guards to be an extension of myself,” he said. “I’m counting on them a lot.”
Tyree said there are plenty of standout teams in Class 3A, but he’s confident his team can compete with any of them. He said a tough nonconference schedule in December should pay dividends in February and March.
“Winning the section is our first goal, and then compete for the WPIAL championship,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited where we are right now.”
Leave a Reply