O’Shea’s Cougars Reload: Kiski School (PA) 2026-27 Player Profiles

Founded in 1888, The Kiski School is an independent boarding school for grades 9-12 plus a post-graduate year in Saltsburg, Pa., about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh. It sits on a 350-acre campus, and enrollment runs close to 210 students. An all-boys school for more than 130 years, Kiski became coeducational in fall 2024. Its alumni include Olympic decathlon champion Bob Mathias and Notre Dame "Four Horsemen" back Harry Stuhldreher.

On the basketball court, the Cougars have sent multiple players to D1. Today the program is led by Joe O'Shea, now in his third season as head coach. He arrived in June 2024. O'Shea comes from a basketball family: his father, Tom O'Shea, was a longtime head coach at St. Michael's College, and his uncle, Tim O'Shea, was head coach at Bryant. A guard who began his college career at Holy Cross, O'Shea transferred to Bryant to play for his uncle and earned Third Team All-NEC honors, then played a professional season in the Netherlands with Aris Leeuwarden (2015-16). He spent the next eight seasons as an NCAA D2 assistant, first at Mercyhurst (2016-20), where the Lakers made consecutive NCAA Tournaments and reached the 2019 Elite Eight, then at Saint Anselm (2020-24). His Saint Anselm team won the 2023 NE-10 Championship.

The 2026-27 schedule features a regional slate, including Erie Prep, Spire Academy, Andrews Osborne Academy, Western Reserve Academy, Linsly, Mercersburg and plus December events at Peddie and the Hill School, where the Cougars face Phillips Exeter.

Below we profile the team's 2026-27 key players.

Cayden Dones (2027) 5'10 combo guard - From New York, Dones is a dynamic three-level scorer with a high basketball IQ and a college-ready frame. He can play on or off the ball. Receiving D2 and D3 interest.

Justas Januskevicius (2027) 6'7 forward - A native of Lithuania, Januskevicius is a rapidly developing forward who can knock down threes. His above-average lateral quickness lets him switch on defense. Receiving D3 interest.

Jeremy Reed (2027) 6'2 guard - From Pennsylvania, Reed is a very good three-point shooter with a physical frame and solid rebounding. He is also drawing D1 and D2 golf recruiting interest.

AJ Tarpley (2027) 6'2 point guard - From Pennsylvania, Tarpley is a throwback floor general who can run a team. Unselfish and an excellent rebounder from the point, he has become a vastly improved shooter. Receiving interest from all levels, D1-D3.

Jake Wright (2027) 6'4 wing (committed to Middlebury) - From Colorado, Wright is a strong, physical wing and an underrated defender for his size. He is a capable three-point shooter and an excellent offensive rebounder.

Donte Cain (2028) 6'7 wing/forward - From Delaware, Cain is a long, athletic wing forward with a good passing feel and the tools to become an excellent defender. Receiving D2 and D3 interest.

Greyson Daugherty (2028) 6'7 forward - From Pennsylvania, Daugherty is a long, athletic forward who can shoot it and plays well in transition. He is also drawing D1 football recruiting interest.

Nana Kwame Gyekye (2028) 6'2 guard - From Ontario, Gyekye is a microwave scorer who can score at all three levels. He has a good frame and is a capable passer. Receiving D2 and D3 interest.

Kenyon Portee Jr. (2028) 6'4 guard - From Pennsylvania, Portee is a long, rangy big guard who can play all three guard positions. A good passer and finisher, he affects the game on both ends. Receiving D1 and D2 interest.

The team's 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here