MANSFIELD, Pa. – The winter air outside Marion Decker Gymnasium barely touches the buzz inside, where the Mansfield Mountaineers men's basketball team runs drills under bright lights. With Coach John Szentesy at the helm, this is a team shaped by experience, discipline, and a clear vision for success.

Leadership and Experience
Coach Szentesy, a seasoned coach with years of guiding the Mounties, brings steady leadership and a proven system for his eighth season. 

"We had a really good preseason with a couple of scrimmages and a Division 1 exhibition game" coach said. "The guys are competing well in practice and have been improving every day."

This year's roster blends veteran players who have grown under Szentesy's guidance with dynamic underclassmen ready to make an impact. It's a balance of skill, energy, and basketball IQ are the ingredients for a team that knows how to compete night in and night out.

The Schedule Ahead
The season begins on Friday (Nov. 14) against the University of Charleston at the Ron Wilson Classic hosted by Millersville University, before finishing the weekend with Virginia Union University on Saturday (Nov. 15). The Mounties appear in Decker Gymnasium for the first time versus Bryant & Stratton (Albany) on December 3. 

Fans will see 12 home games in Decker Gymnasium with each game as a chance to see the Mounties' mix of veteran poise and youthful energy in action, gearing up for the 21-game Pennslyavnia State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule. 

Eyes on the Postseason
Coach Szentesy knows his team must be ready for every challenge, looking to be battle tested with eyes on the PSAC postseason tournament.

"We have a tough schedule in November with five games against really good competition and they are all on the road." coach explained. "This will be a really good test for us early in the season and will prepare us well for another very tough conference schedule."

Under the lights of Merrier Decker Gymnasium, the Mansfield Mountaineers enter the season as a team shaped by experience, unity, and ambition—a squad ready to leave its mark on the PSAC. #0 Sterling Scott - Senior - 6-5
2024-25 - Appeared and started in 21 out of the 27 games … averaged 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 43.4% from the field … had 18 steals and nine blocks on the season … had a season-high 32 points against West Chester and had a double-double with 21 points and 18 rebounds versus Shippensburg.

#1 LaQuan Byrd - Sophomore - 6-2
Prior to Mansfield - Appeared in 26 games for Lock Haven ... 35% from three point range, becoming a pivotal part for the team off the bench ... Averaged 7.0 PPG, .5 APG, and averaged 2.5 RPG ... Career high 17 points against Mansfield

#2 JuJu Pagan - Junior - 6-3
Prior to Mansfield - Transferred from Kutztown ... 51 appearances and 35 starts for the Golden Bears ... 353 points, 130 rebounds, 96 assists, and 42 steals across his first two seasons

#3 Nasir Brown - Senior - 6-2
2024-25 - Played in 26 games ... Averaged 8.6 points a game with a season high 21 points against Penn St.-Schuylkill.

#4 Mani Healey - Freshman - 6-4
High School - 1,000 point scorer ... 2x All-Suburban League Nomination ... Suburban League Champion ... 2x Friends League Quaker Cup Champion ... Plans to study business ... son of Kelvin and Lezlie Healey

#5 LJ Stansbury - Graduate Student - 6-4
2024-25 - Appeared and started in seven games… averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds … shot 49.3% from the field and had nine steals on the season before missing the remainder of 24-25 due to injury. 

#7 Karson Dominick - Sophomore - 6-4
Prior to Mansfield - Transferred from Lock Haven.
High School - 2x NTL Player of the Year ... 2x PA All State honor ... 1,810 career points ... Letterwinner as a guard on the Mansfield-North Penn men's basketball team ... Plans to study education ... son of Jason and Martha Dominick

#8 Jackson Henry - Junior - 6-4
Prior to Mansfield - Transferred from Frostburg State
High School - Letterwinner as a guard on the Frederick Douglas men's basketball team ... plans to study information technology ... son of Anthony and Tracey Henry

#11 David Hill - Junior - 6-1
Prior to Mansfield - Transferred from Lamar CC (2024-25) ... 200 points, 72 rebounds, 19 assists, and 13 steals across 27 appearances ... also played for Missouri State (2022-23)
High School - Letterwinner as a guard for the St. John Neumann Regional Academy men's basketball team ... 3x All-State Honoree for the Golden Knights ... Helped Neumann to four straight conference titles and 2021 Class A district title ... Eclipsed 1,000 career points as a high school junior ... plans to study business ... son of David Hill Sr. and Chanelle Johnson

#13 Diarmid Stewart - Junior - 6-6
2024-25 - Played in 26 games starting 10... recorded 164 points on the season with a career high 28 points against Lock Haven on 2/12/25.

#15 Josh Franklin - Sophomore - 6-3
High School - Letterwinner as a guard on the Susquehannock men's basketball team ... Plans to study business management ... son of Candice Jones

#22 Ty Barrett - Senior - 6-1
2024-25 (Elmira) - Appeared in 24 games, averaging 5.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game...scored a season-high 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting, with three rebounds and one steal at Norwich

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#21 Julian Wilson - Senior - 6-8
2024-25 - Played in 19 games, making 11 starts... Scored 122 points on the season and averaged 4.4 rebounds a game. The rest of his 24-25 season was cut short due to injury.

#24 Darrien Berrios Rivera - Junior - 6-5
Prior to Mansfield - Transferred from Cecil College ... All-Region Honors (NJCAA Region 20) ... 444 points, 167 rebounds, 45 assists, 23 steals, and 14 blocks across 59 appearances, including 28 starts