BASKETBALL BASKETBALL
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Sunday, December 15, 2024
2024-25 2024-25
WONDER WOMEN
Geibel Catholic junior 1,000-point scorer Emma Larkin (left) and
Geibel Catholic junior 1,000-point scorer Emma Larkin (left) and
Laurel Highlands’ stellar trio of (from right) Aierra Jenkins, Ayrianna Sumpter and Miya Harris look to build off of last year’s success.
Laurel Highlands’ stellar trio of (from right) Aierra Jenkins, Ayrianna Sumpter and Miya Harris look to build off of last year’s success.
Index
Salvino eager as Leopards move into new section
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
Joe Salvino is excited about the new basketball season, but he understands the fine line between a good team and an average one.
you can’t do that.”
Senior Zion Moore scored 26.2 points per game last season, and he is a captain this season.
practice,” he said. “He led WPIAL in scoring.
Conellsville
Connellsville
“We should be pretty good, but we need to be consistent,” he said. “We can play good at times, but not as good at other times, and when you play good teams,
However, Salvino has always been a straight shooter and he didn’t candy coat what he expects from Moore and other captains.
“Zion is one of our captains, and I need our captains to set examples not only in games but in
“We need players to give their all in practice and not only in games. We want the young players seeing the older players giving their all so they know they have to.”
Salvino will also lean on
6-6 senior Tommy Davis, another returning starter.
“Tommy provides a lot inside,” said Salvino. “He is a kid that can go outside if he
has to guard somebody. We are seeing a lot more post players who can come outside and do things.”
Senior Trevor Kovatch is another returning starter.
“He is one of our better defenders,” said Salvino. “Trevor tries to put a lot of pressure on the ball, and I am also looking for him to score.”
A fourth returning starter is senior Alonzo Wade, although he is recovering
from an injury, and a timetable for his return is not set.
Junior Curty Wade, Alonzo’s younger brother, will start with senior Dom Ghilani starting for the elder Wade.
Other key players include sophomore Luca Ghilani, freshman Elijah Majors, and junior Dane Daugherty.
“Elijah is Zion’s nephew,” Salvino said. “He has shown some promise.”
Nesbit ready to lead young Belle Vernon girls team
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
When Cornelious Nesbit was hired as the Belle Vernon girls basketball coach this past offseason, he was ready for the challenge.
Being a head coach for 16 years, eight at both Shaler and Gateway, will do that for you.
The Lady Leopards have a young team this season, with only one starter back, yet Nesbit is optimistic while being practical.
“My expectations are realistic, and to be competitive on a night-in and night-out basis,” he said. “We have a young group, and we want to teach them to compete at the varsity level.”
Sophomore forward Saylor Lee is the lone returning starter.
“I am expecting leadership out of her because of her experience last year,” said Nesbit. “She played meaningful minutes and I hope she can help the younger players.
“We need her to show them how to be a good
teammate, and she is doing a great job.”
Three other starters will be sophomore point guard Abby Russell, junior guard Emerson LaCarte, and 6-2 freshman wing Aubrey Brown.
“In due time, Aubrey will be a big-time player for us,” Nesbit said.
The other players looking
to crack the starting lineup, all of which should see quality time, include junior guard Mia Roebuck, sophomore forward Skylar Salay, sophomore guard Kaylee Sypolt, junior guard Arden Minniti, sophomore guard Payton Walsh sophomore guard, and senior forward Victoria Selembo, who Nesbit said is providing leadership.
California boys to focus on defense under new coach
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
buy in and keep them in the program.”
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Rob Burchianti, Jim Downey, Bill Hughes, John Sacco
EDITED BY
Rob Buchianti, Jonathan Guth
COVER
Lori C. Padilla
COVER
Mike Kovak
Entering his first season as the California boys basketball coach, Brent Baker finds himself in a unique situation, and he is looking to build a foundation for the future.
“We are a heavy senior-laden class and freshman class,” he said. “We have two juniors and no sophomores.
“We do have 25 kids at the middle school level, and we have to get them to
Baker is no stranger to California, as he just finished his third season as an assistant football coach, so he knows the kids.
“I know the landscape,” said Baker, who was hired early in the summer. “Being a small school, we have multi-sport athletes.
“A lot of the players had been training since January, and when the hiring occurred, I was able to get an open gym two times a week.
“We worked on
fundamentals and technique, and we had good numbers from freshmen, and guys who weren’t playing other sports.”
The Trojans return four senior starters in Jacob Ziolecki, Vinnie Manzella, and two 6-4 players in Caden Monticelli and Matt Miller.
When asked what positions each will play, Baker didn’t hesitate to respond.
“We have a positionless offense,” he said. “They will have to learn basketball, and I want to teach them the game of basketball.”
Baker worked from the get-go with the team so they could better understand his expectations.
“First thing I instilled is defense, and we will live and die with defense,” he said.
“Teams shouldn’t score 70 (points) and lose. We want to give up 50 and under.”
The fifth starter will be junior Hunter Brown with Baker mentioning a pair of seniors in Christian Ross and Niko Georgagis, junior Zack Tokar, and freshman Devin Galloway as other players who will see time.
Galloway is a key to a talented freshmen class, and Baker knows it is important for the upperclassmen to lead by example so the younger players learn the right way.
“(The seniors) have to step up and be examples for the younger kids,” Baker said. “We need one verbiage, one language, one culture. That’s not pressure.”
The Trojans are in the tough Section 1-AA with Bentworth, Clairton, Frazier, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Riverview and Springdale.
Lady Trojans hope to extend playoff streak
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
The California girls basketball team has made the WPIAL playoffs the past 12 years.
If the streak is going to hit “lucky No. 13,” it will do so under new leadership, and the task could be a challenge.
Melanie Greco resigned as head coach late in the summer, and Brandi Sutherland wasn’t hired until the fall sports season was almost over.
“I was hired in the middle of October,” she said.
“We had a few open gyms once the volleyball playoff season ended.”
The season will be a work in progress for the Lady Trojans, but the team does return three starters in sophomore forward Hayley Gibson, sophomore guard Leah Hartley and junior forward Madyson Morton.
"We will definitely need leadership and experience from them," Sutherland said.
Three other returning players provide experience in sophomore guard
Lauren Hartley, senior guard Addison Gregory
and sophomore forward Tatiana Mathianas.
Gregory missed last season due to an injury, but will start this season as a captain along with Morton.
Three other players Sutherland mentioned are freshman guard Olivia Gibson, who Sutherland said could be a possible starter, freshman guard Kylie Johnson and sophomore guard Jadyn Russell.
The Lady Trojans are in Section 3-AA with Bentworth, Beth-Center, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Jefferson-Morgan.
“Chartiers-Houston is
one of the top teams in the section,” Sutherland said.
“Our goal this season is to get the girls to enjoy being on the court again and believing in the program.
“The team lost a lot of girls over the past few seasons, and we are hoping to build the team back up over the next few years to what it once was.
“We are encouraging team unity and trust in their teammates and coaches. I think with the returning players and the few new ones, we are going to be a competitive team in the section placing in the top three.”
On the cover
No two area girls basketball teams have had bigger turnarounds the past three years than Laurel Highlands and Geibel Catholic. The Lady Gators, led by junior 1,000-point scorer Emma Larkin, have improved their record from 2-18 to 11-12 to 16-7 last year.
The Lady Mustangs return their entire starting lineup, including seniors Miya Harris and Aryianna Sumpter and junior Aierra Jenkins, and have bettered their record in that span from 1-19 to 11-12 to 21-5. Both teams look to take another step up this season after reaching the WPIAL playoffs the past two years with LH advancing into the PIAA playoffs as well last season. Pictured are (clockwise from front) Larkin, Sumpter, Jenkins and Harris.
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McCombs looking for Mikes to reach their potential
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
After missing out on the WPIAL boys basketball playoffs last season, Carmichaels is looking to do what is needed to have a chance to get back there.
When asked about expectations for his team this season, Carmichaels head coach Ian McCombs did
not hesitate.
“I expect us to compete every night and play to our highest potential,” he said. “We have to continue to get better and fix mistakes, build team chemistry, and bring it every night we are out on the floor.”
Carmichaels only returns one starter in senior Robbie Wilson-Jones, but two other seniors played
significant minutes a year ago in guards Colin Andrews and Dayton Reynolds.
“Robbie is 6-2 or 6-3, and can play any position, as he is a good ball handler as a wing,” McCombs said. “I expect (the three experienced seniors) to be leaders on and off the floor and to set high expectations for the rest of the team.
Despite late start, Conrad eager for Lady Mikes
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
Having been hired to take over the Carmichaels girls basketball program late in the summer, firstyear head coach Blake Conrad and his team got a late jump on getting to know one another.
That said, he is happy with how they hit the ground running.
“I think things went well,” he said. “We are really young this year, and have 13 or 14 girls, with eight being freshmen.
“I would have liked to get into a (summer) league, but we weren’t able to. We did a lot of skill work, and the girls are really athletic.”
The Lady Mikes return two full-time starters in a pair of senior forwards in Duski Staggers and Ali Jacobs, while sophomore Avery Voithofer started some games.
Jim Downey | HeralD-StanDarD Carmichaels first-year girls coach Blake Conard watches his squad play against Geibel Catholic in the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament on Nov. 30 at JeffersonMorgan.
“We are looking for leadership from them,” Conrad said. “They will have to be a little more assertive getting the ball, and will have to take stress off the younger ball handlers.”
Three players are looking to fill the other two starting positions at this time in freshman point guard Ke’lani Chun,
sophomore guard Shalyn Pyle and freshman forward Jocelyn Carter.
Junior guards Suzanne Oshetsky and Abigail Cuppett are upperclassmen, while five more freshmen are looking to earn time.
The quintet includes forwards Anna Hetrick, Paytain Jordan and Talaysia Tedrow, as well as guards Kaitlyn Kramer and Lily Sisler.
Conrad realizes the challenges of having such a young team, but he is looking forward to it.
“We lost a lot of our experienced ball handling, but our expectations are to get better and play as a team,” he said. “I can live with the results as long as we are playing team basketball.”
Conrad said he looks forward to seeing how the team grows.
“I am excited for the season to play out,” he said. “The girls all have a good mindset.”
“I am looking for them to set the tone in practice.”
Three other key players for the Mikes are sophomore Alex Toth, senior forward Carson Hillsman, and senior guard Harley Stoneking.
“Alex is 6-3 or 6-4 and is working hard,” McCombs said. We are looking at him to make a big jump for us.”
Carmichaels is in Section
3-AA along with Beth-Center, Burgettstown, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene.
“Fort Cherry always puts a great team out there,” McCombs said. “No matter who they graduate, they find players and they are well coached.
“Char-Houston and Burgettstown have been tough,
and Jefferson-Morgan has good talent.”
The Rangers advanced to the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals last year in Class 2A. They lost both games to eventual district and state champion Aliquippa. The Maples have voluntarily agreed to “play-up” due to the geographical issues playing in Class A in regards to travel.
Commodores ready for play in new, tough section
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
A year ago, Zach Keefer led his team to the playoffs.
Now in his eighth season, Keefer knows that it may be a tougher road ahead after the WPIAL did its two-year realignment.
Frazier will be joined in Section 1-AA by Bentworth, California, Clairton, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Riverview and Springdale.
“It’s always tough entering a new section with the re-alignment, and our section is a good mix of old and new faces,” he said. “GCC was a section champ last year and we played them in the playoffs.
“We know a little about what they are about, and they are always a solid team in every way.
“Jeannette made a PIAA run last year with a talented young roster
with most returning, and we have played or scrimmaged Clairton a few times during my tenure. They will have a lot of speed and athleticism.”
Some familiar foes will remain in section play for the Commodores.
“Bentworth and Cal are coming over with us,” Keefer said. “The others will take some time to get to know.
“That is also the beauty of section play, as you get two cracks at each other. We just know that if we do the little things, take care of the ball, limit mistakes, and play great defense every night, we will give ourselves a chance.”
Keefer is happy with how the offseason went for his team.
“The offseason went very well, as we have a committed core nucleus of players, led by our seniors, as well as many underclassmen and newcomers
to the program,” he said.
“We worked on building skill development and fundamentals on how we want to play.”
A key to this is who Keefer has brought on staff. His dad, Tim, was the longtime coach at Carlow, while Bill Wiltz was the longtime coach at Charleroi.
The team returns three starters, and they are the only seniors on the relatively young Commodores.
The trio are all guards, and they consist of Dailan McManus, Trey Whitehead and Conlan Higbee.
“They will lead the way for us as senior captains and leaders both on and off the court,” said Keefer before mentioning 6-5 sophomore Brant Alekson. “Brant will join them in the starting lineup, and the final spot will be figured out as a few guys will battle it out.”
Jefferson-Morgan girls are young, hungry for wins Lawless hopes size, versatility will overcome lack of depth
By John Sacco
For the Herald-Standard
Jefferson-Morgan High School’s girls basketball team is young and hungry.
And the team’s first year coach is excited to see if that turns into a successful season for the Lady Rockets.
“Our team this year is young, full of potential and eager to learn,” said Jefferson-Morgan coach Rebecca Capozza. “While we may lack experience, we more than make up for it with determination, heart and a commitment to improvement.
“Each practice is an opportunity to develop skills, build confidence and learn the values of teamwork and resilience.”
Capozza will be looking at more than the win-loss
record in making evaluations this season. She formerly coached at Laurel Highlands.
“Our focus is on growth — both as players and as individuals.
“I firmly believe that success isn't just measured by wins and losses, but by how we respond to challenges and come together as a team. This season will be a journey, but I am looking forward to seeing the progress.”
The Lady Rockets’ roster includes senior Leighana Gooden (5-6), juniors Catelynn Teagarden (5-1), Ava Wood (5-6) and Elsa Roberts (5-6), sophomores Riley Gump (5-8) and Krissa Snyder (5-8) and freshmen Brelynn Wood (5-3), Izzy Gooden (5-5), Bailey Cervone (5-6), Beautiful Medlen (5-6) and Isabella Wise (5-3).
Jefferson-Morgan will compete in Section 3-AA with Bentworth, Beth-Center, California, Carmichaels and Chartiers-Houston.
The top four teams in sections with six teams will qualify for the WPIAL playoffs, which are scheduled to start as early as Feb. 13.
In 2023-2024, the Lady Rockets went 3-19 overall and 1-9 in the section. Jefferson-Morgan had losing streaks of four, 10 and five.
The Lady Rockets dropped their first two games of the season to Geibel Catholic, 55-42, and West Greene, 54-18.
Their non-section schedule also includes Trinity Christian, Mapletown, Avella, Brownsville, Clay-Battelle (W.Va.), Carlynton and a second game against West Greene.
By John Sacco For the Herald-Standard
Jefferson-Morgan High School boys basketball coach Brandon Lawless is hoping size and versatility can overcome a lack of depth to lift the Rockets into another postseason appearance.
The Rockets have a talented starting lineup and they’ll need it as they transition to some new section opponents in 2024-25.
Jefferson-Morgan is playing in Section 3-AA with Beth-Center, Burgettstown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, Mapletown –which has decided to play up in classification – and West Greene.
The key to Jefferson-Morgan’s success?
“Execute the game script and practice script
on a nightly basis,” Lawless said. “And continue building chemistry, play within their roles and use their size and athleticism to their competitive advantage.
“I am leaning on all the guys who are on the floor. They have roles and know that I expect them to do their jobs and take ownership within that role.”
Lawless will rely on notable returning players such as junior forward Dayten Marion (6-4), senior center-forward Jase Bedillion (6-4) – first-team all-section in 2023-2024 –senior point guard Houston Guesman (5-11) and junior guard-forward John Woodward (6-0).
Jefferson-Morgan’s starting five includes Woodward, Guesman, Bedillion, Marion and junior guard Jaymison Robinson.
Lawless said junior guard Jeremiah Robertson (6-0) “could be labeled a starter,” and junior guard Brayden Ellsworth (5-10) as “the sixth or seventh man.”
Other seniors are forward Lou Ruscitti (6-0) and guard Ryan Baker (5-11).
Jefferson-Morgan lists 22 players on its roster. That includes four seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and eight freshmen.
The coach added that the team’s strength is size and versatility and its weakness is depth.
“(Our goal is) to compete every night to our highest ability,” Lawless said. “And to take every week-by-week and every day-by-day and continue building.”
Lawless said he expects the section to be “competitive every night.”
Bass eager after full offseason with girls team at Frazier
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
Now in his second season as the head coach of the Frazier girls basketball program, Jonathan Bass has had the chance to get to know his players a little better than he did a year ago.
Bass was hired in October, 2023, and hardly had the chance to get to know his team before last season started.
It is different this year, however, as Bass and the team put in a full summer together.
“The offseason went great,” said Bass, who had a three-year
stint as head coach of the Jeannette girls team. “We played in two summer leagues, the Brownson House Summer League in Washington and Grant Street Summer league in Uniontown, and we also had two open gyms a week throughout the summer.
“We have been working very hard, and our team has improved as a unit because of it.”
Frazier is in Section 4-AA with Apollo-Ridge, Ellis School, Jeannette, Riverview and Winchester Thurston.
“My goal for us is to keep improving every day, and to compete for the section
championship,” Bass said. “If we play our game, we have the ability to do it. It is a very realistic goal.”
Bass believes the Lady Commodores can be one of the top teams in Section 4-AA.
“We are in a new section, but I would say us, Winchester Thurston and Riverview will be the top teams in our section,” he said.
Bass wants his team to get after it on defense, and use it to create opportunities to score.
“We will play aggressive defense, which will be full court most of the time,” he said. “We
will run a motion offense in the half court, but our goal and game plan is to score in transition after our defense creates turnovers and missed shots. We plan on speeding the game up, and we work on it extensively.”
Frazier has four returning starters in junior point guard Allie Yauch, junior guard Chloe Harger, junior forward Malana Burton, and senior wing Taryn Bateman with Yauch, Harger, and Burton making all-section a year ago.
Yauch averaged 14 points per game, Harger added 10 per contest, Burton averaged
a near double-double at nine points and 10 rebounds a night, and Bateman contributed seven points a game.
The fifth starter will be sophomore forward Allie Monack.
“She is a great athlete,” Bass said. “She did not play last year, but we are excited about her being with us this season.”
Senior forward Addison Day and freshman guard Clea Bozek will also see key minutes in the rotation.
A trio of sophomores are new and fighting for time. They include guard Margo Snyder, forward Vivian Paroda and wing Liara Snyder.
Gators poised to turn program around this season
Jim Downey | HeralD-StanDarD The Gators’ Mike Miller is defended by Jefferson-Morgan’s Jaymison Robinson in a Section 2-A game at Geibel Catholic on Jan. 22, 2024.
By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.com
Gary Tarbuk was hired just a month before the 2023-24 season began, and he and his Geibel Catholic boys squad took some lumps.
The Gators won just one game last year, posting a 1-9 section record and overall mark of 1-21.
Now, with a full offseason under their belt, the second-year coach believes the Gators can turn the corner.
“We have five lettermen returning from last year,” said Tarbuk. “We had about 19 kids pretty competitive in JV this year.
“It was nice having them all
summer. To have them around all year made a big difference.”
Mike Miller and Roman Riccelli are the lone seniors on the revamped roster. The roster features nine freshmen.
Gary Tarbuk’s son Gary is a sophomore and returns after averaging around 14 points per game. Miller contributed eight points per game.
Junior Seth Dolan returns after suffering a broken wrist early last year.
The Gators will compete in a completely different section lineup after realignment. Familiar foes California, West Greene, Mapletown and Jefferson-Morgan moved up to Class AA. Only Monessen remains, joining
Environmental Charter, The Neighborhood Academy, Saint Joseph and Serra Catholic in the section with Geibel.
The WPIAL has only two Class A sections after realignment.
“The only team that remains is Monessen,” said Tarbuck. “(The section) is a mixture of teams that are going to run and some that will slow it down.”
Tarbuk believes his squad has the capability to handle either tempo.
“We have a good mixture. I’d say four or five kids that are almost identical, so we can turn to them at any point, take them out and put them back in,” said Tarbuk, adding, “We have the depth. We can go
eight, nine deep.
“We would like to go tempo. We’re very athletic. We are different than what we were last year. Our defense will make our offense better.”
Tarbuk continued, “Realistically, the roster we have and the section we’re in, I think we’re a playoff team. It’s up to the kids to win that first game. Then the second win will come.
“We were competing into the fourth quarter towards the end of the season, we just couldn’t close it out.”
With only 10 section games, taking care of business at home is key.
“We have to take advantage of the home court,” said Tarbuk.
Lady Gators low in numbers, but solid in quality
Jim Downey | HeralD-StanDarD Geibel Catholic’s Emma Larkin dribbles past Carmichaels’ Ke’Lani Chun for a layup in the second quarter of a game in the Donna M. Furnier Invitational Tournament on Nov. 30 at JeffersonMorgan.
By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.com
Geibel Catholic coach Sara Larkin is unable to hold a full scrimmage because the Lady Gators only have nine on the roster because of graduation and transfers.
Plus, the nonet only has two starters from last year’s squad that finished second in the section, lost in the first round of the WPIAL Class
A playoffs and posted a 16-7 overall record. Though, those two starters pack a lot of experience and offense.
“I only have two returning girls, Emma (Larkin) and Ava (Henderson),” said Sara Larkin. “It’s still tough in practice not to have 10 (players). We do a lot of 4-on-4 when we have the opportunity.
“We just have to make it work. We do what we can.”
Emma Larkin topped the 1,000-point mark last year as a sophomore after finishing with 684 points for an average of nearly 30 points per game. Fellow junior Ava Henderson has also shown she can post double digits in the scoring column.
Mallory Clemmer, a 6-1 freshman, gives the Lady Gators a presence under the basket and has the versatility to work outside.
“Mal’s 6-1, but she handles the ball well. She can dribble,” said Sara Larkin, adding, “We have four kids that can handle the ball. It’s hard to get the actual game-like feel when you don’t have 10 players.”
Janiah Darnell and Madison Waggett will also be counted on to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
Sara Larkin has mapped out a master plan with the hope
the Lady Gators will exceed last year’s highly-successful season.
“We’re going to make it work. We’re going to do what we can. I just hope everyone stays healthy,” said Larkin.
“We’ve been working a lot on conditioning. We’re defense and run. That’s the way I like to play. They can all run and they all see the floor well.”
Larkin continued, “We’re still pushing to do better than we did last year. It gets harder every year when you improve.
“Not only are we pushing to try to compete for that section title (won last year by Monessen), but for a playoff win.”
Emma Larkin faced a lot of box-and-1 and triangle-and-2 defenses last year in an attempt to slow her down. Sara Larkin believes this year’s squad is more balanced.
“The biggest change for
us this year is we have five kids on the floor that can contribute on both ends. I think that helps us because Emma doesn’t have to do it,” said Sara Larkin. “We can execute an offense and we have five capable players that can do it.
“Defensively, throw the junk (defense) at me because you’re going to pay.”
Geibel is in Section 2-A with Avella, Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Mapletown, Monessen, Serra Catholic and West Greene.
“We target to give up less than double digits in every quarter. This is a smart group of kids. That’s what I like about this school. They pick up things fast,” said Sara Larkin.
This is a smart group of kids. That’s what I like about this school. They pick up things fast.
Glisan, Panos lead way for Lady Colonials
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
Albert Gallatin girls basketball coach Craig Hoone entered this season with good news and bad news.
The bad news is a roster that only has eight players.
The good news is two of them are senior four-year starters Mya Glisan and Grayce Panos.
“We only have eight players, total, so we’re going to use them all,” Hoone said. “We do have three senior starters in Grayce and Mya and also Mitchell Turner. Mikayla Shea is a junior starter.
“From there it’s a battle between freshmen and sophomores to get that last starting spot.”
The Lady Colonials were 5-16 overall and 2-10 in Section 3-AAAAA a year ago They’ve moved over to Section 5-AAAAA this season where the schedule will be no less difficult as AG will compete with Thomas Jefferson, Peters Township, Trinity, Baldwin, Bethel Park and Uniontown.
“There are three teams in there that dropped down from 6A to 5A (Peters Township, Bethel Park and Baldwin),” Hoone pointed out.”But we were in a killer section last year so we’re used to it as far as playing against tough competition. As a team we have to stick together, especially with the low numbers that we have. We really don’t have much of a choice. We just have to stay together and keep plugging along.
“Mitchell is a defensive specialist and rebounder,” Hoone said. “She plays in the post. We rely on her for the physical aspects of her game. Mikayla is our point guard who provides outside shooting and penetration and handles pressure well.”
Also on the roster are sophomores Maggie Quertinmont and Alexis Riggleman and freshmen Paiton Lovis and Ellie Seese.
“Maggie is a returning player who will be depending on for a lot of minutes this year,” Hoone said. “Alexis Riggleman is a sophomore who’s
inexperienced but she’ll see some time on the floor as well.”
Seese made her presence felt in the Lady Colonials’ season-opening win at Connellsville, scoring two late baskets to break a 33-33 tie and help propel AG to victory.
“Ellie is a freshman guard/forward who started in our opener against Connellsville but she’ll be coming off the bench some, too,” Hoone said. “I coached her in middle school last year and we knew she was going to be an impact player and she proved that already in her first game.
“Paiton Lovis plays the two guard positions and started against Connellsville. She provides shooting and ball handling.”
Hoone has been forced to alter his offensive approach due to his roster size.
“Offensively, we usually love to run,” Hoone said. “We like to push the ball down the floor and get a quick shot. But now it’s more walk the ball up the floor, slow down the game a little bit because of the low numbers.
“However, it won’t change the way we play defense. We’ll still play man to man the entire game.”
“Thomas Jefferson has a couple key players who moved back and I know they’re going to be very strong. Peters Township had a remarkable season last year although I’m not sure what they have coming back.”
Hoone, who is in his fourth year at AG, does have Glisan and Panos to rely on.
“Mya is our captain. She was a captain as a junior, which is something I’d never done before,” Hoone said. “She’s our team leader. Not only does she help on the floor, she helps off the floor with motivation. We’re using her as a hybrid sort of how we did
last year, outside playing guard or inside playing forward. She’s like a jack of all trades.
“Grayce will play all three guard positions for us. She’s our No. 1 lockdown defender. The opponent’s point guard or best ball handler, that’s who Grayce is guarding. She’s been like that ever since she was a freshman. We rely on her defensively but we also rely on her shooting ability. She’s a very good outside shooter and she can penetrate and shoot the short jump shot as well.”
Turner will be AG’s main inside presence and Shea runs the offense.
Sports Programs or Teams GOOD LUCK
Jim Downey | HeralD-StanDarD
Albert Gallatin’s Mya Glisan (15) puts up a running jump shot against Connellsville during a game last season. Glisan is one of two four-year starters on the Lady Colonials’ roster this season along with Grayce Panos.
Macke takes over reins of Colonials program
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
Albert Gallatin’s boys basketball team has a new coach and new classification for the 2024-25 season.
Former West Virginia basketball player Spencer Macke takes over for Shea Fleenor who stepped down after guiding the Colonials for the past 12 years, and AG was bumped up into Class 5A.
Macke got off to a quick start as Albert Gallatin won its first two games over West Mifflin and Carrick and he has a positive outlook on his first year as a high school head coach.
“I think we’re capable of winning a good amount of games this year and surprising a lot of people,” Macke said. “I like what we’ve got inside and outside. I really like our bigs. I think that’s going to be one of our selling points moving forward.”
Macke hadn’t settled on a solid starting five early in the season mostly due to his squad’s depth.
“I’m going to change the starting lineup kind of game to game,” Macke said. ”I can go nine-to-10 deep.”
One of those is first-year senior Xavier Rice, whose nickname was, fittingly, “Nightmare” as a football linebacker that gave opposing offenses fits this past season.
“Xavier has never played varsity basketball before, but he’s a big and he’s in the rotation and will probably start every game,” Macke said. “He’s a great kid and is a power inside in helping us on the boards. Our other bigs are seniors Jason Jackson and Jeremiah Darnell. I think between those three we have a solid group that can stick with anybody in the region.”
Running the offense will be senior Shymere Wilson.
“We’ve got real good leadership with Shymere who will be our point guard,” Macke said. “I think he’s had a great attitude so far and does a good job of commanding the floor.”
Juniors Chase White, Ethan Kennedy and Adam Pegg, and sophomores Mekhi Belt and Darrin Ford are also expected to be key players for AG.
Darrin Ford, I don’t know if he played a lot last year, but he’s our three right now and has a ton of potential,” Macke said. “He’s good off the bounce. He hasn’t found his shooting touch yet but we’re working out some kinks with that. I think he will be a top player in 5A moving forward. He’s long, he’s got good size, about 6-3, 6-4, and moves real good. He can play a two or three and can also play a big, play a four sometimes.”
Guards are Belt, Kennedy, White and Pegg.
“All do real good things and
bring a little something different to the table, but they’re interchangeable in a lot of ways,” Macke said. “White’s a good shooter/slasher, Pegg is a slasher/mid-range shooter, defender, Belt is a real good slasher and defender, and Kennedy can shoot and is a good all-around player.”
Macke has a trio of freshmen he’s high on as well in Chase Goletz, Elliot Sines and Pierson Turner.
“They might not play a ton this season but they will contribute at some point and I feel will have good careers,” Macke said. “Their bodies aren't fully developed yet but they’re good at what they do. Goletz is a ball handler, a good driver and a good shooter. Sines is a bigger player but he’ll be a two guard, three guard. He has a good feel for the game, finishes around the rim well and can step out and shoot.”
Macke prefers full-court pressure on defense but will pick his spots on when to use it.
“I like pressing but there are games where we won’t do that as we get scouts on some of our opponents,” he said. “I like our man to man in the halfcourt, I prefer that. We can also run a 2-3, we can run a 3-2.”
The Colonials went 9-11 overall and 3-7 in Section 3-AAAA last season under Fleenor and were in the playoff hunt until the final game of the regular season Macke commended the former AG coach.
“I do think that Shea Fleenor did a real good job with them, especially transition- and pressing-wise,” Macke said. “They know where they’re supposed to be in the 1-2-2 and they can run a break real well. I do like some of the stuff Mr. Fleenor had that I inherited. He did a great job when he was there.”
By Bill Hughes For the Herald-Standard
Last season, the Beth-Center boys basketball team was on the outside of the WPIAL Class AA playoff picture looking in.
In a few close games, had the ball bounced a different way, if the Bulldogs did the little things just a little better, and they may have made it to the “second season” during the 2023-24 campaign.
There is a different feel to this year’s team, and second-year head coach Scott Bower believes the offseason could catapult
“The open gyms over the summer were well attended. The players are excited to get the year started.”
— Scott Bower, Beth-Center boys basketball coach
Beth-Center into the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 Covid season when every team had the option to advance to the playoffs.
If the Bulldogs earn their way this year, it will be the first time since the 2015-16 team qualified on the court, and a reason could be the offseason participation.
“The open gyms over the
summer were well attended,” Bower said. “The players are excited to get the year started.”
The Bulldogs have three returning starters, and they are led by junior guard Jason Zellie, an all-section honorable mention.
A pair of seniors, guard Santino Revi and forward Jonah Sussan, make up the trio.
Zellie averaged 12.7 points per
game, Revi tallied 8.7 points per contest and Sussan added 7.5 points a night last season.
Sophomore guard Parker Amos will start, while junior forwards Tyler Kurowski and Brayden Hull, and senior forward Luke Amon will see plenty of time and potentially start a few games.
A quartet of freshmen have also caught Bower’s attention, and they consist of guards Hunter Bobbs and Brayden Ozohonish, as well as forwards Desean Whipkey and Enzo Brown.
The Bulldogs are in Section 3-AA with Burgettstown,
Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene.
“Fort Cherry, Burgettstown and Chartiers-Houston are the top teams in the section,” Bower said. “That said, our only goal is to make the playoffs.”
The Rangers advanced to the WPIAL and state semifinals last season, but lost twice to eventual Class 2A district and PIAA champion Aliquippa.
The Maples are “playing up” because the majority of the teams in Class A would provide for some long bus rides for Mapletown.
improvement in 2nd year at Beth-Center
Strong offseason could get Bulldogs back in playoffs Hill sees
By Bill Hughes
For the Herald-Standard
Now in his second as the head coach of the Beth-Center girls basketball team, Rick Hill is seeing the difference between last season and now.
“The kids are starting to learn the system I was teaching,” he said. “I started with a group of kids who were not very fundamentally sound, and we worked on it all season.
“They have worked in the offseason, and there is a lot less fundamentals (to work on) and a lot
“Our
goals are set to be No. 1 in the section and advance further than we did last year,”
— Rick Hill, Beth-Center girls basketball coach
more of what we do offensively and defensively.”
Hill’s positive approach is understandable, and he is setting high goals for the team.
“Our goals are set to be No. 1 in the section and advance further than we did last year,” he said.
The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the WPIAL playoffs a year ago after finishing tied for third in
Section 4-AA.
This year, the team is in Section 3-AA along with Bentworth, California, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Jefferson-Morgan.
“Chartiers-Houston is the favorite,” said Hill. “We are going to compete in the section, and we were a couple of games away last year.”
B-C returns four starters from last year’s team, and all four are still underclassmen.
The quartet includes junior center Violet Trump, junior point guard KJ McDaniel, sophomore small forward Keira Lamp, and junior forward Bailey Bernot.
“We are looking for leadership out of them,” Hill said. “We are a little younger this year and have freshmen who will see playing time.
“I believe that players can be teachers as well at times, and their experience will help us.”
Other players looking to
contribute include senior guard Callie Dorsey, junior guard Lexi Fischer, three freshmen in forward/center Jenna Pohill, point guard Elii Revi and guard/forward Marsara Formentelli, as well as sophomore Bella Fischer.
“Lexi was hurt last year and didn’t get to play,” Hill said. “She will help us with ball handling, and she can shoot.”
Hill closed with more positive acknowledgement of his team’s effort.
“The kids are working hard and I expect good things from them.”
Vikings must rely on youth in Malkowiak’s 2nd season
By John Sacco
For the Herald-Standard
Youth will be served on the Mount Pleasant High School boys basketball team.
With 10 freshmen and just one returning starter, Vikings second-year head coach Annie Malkowiak has no choice but to unleash her youthful roster.
She’s also going to make use of the overall skills of her roster.
“We're quick and adaptable, meaning we can do a variety of things defensively. However, we’re young with only one starter returning,” Malkowiak said.
“Right now, I’m not sure who our starters are, and it might depend on our opponent. This is something that can change. The rotation
could be different weekly.”
Malkowiak also is unsure of the roles her young players may assume moving forward.
“It's a big mix of some freshmen,” Malkowiak added. “I have 10 freshmen on this team, so it will be a nice mix and require different things from different kids weekly.”
Defense will be key, Malkowiak said.
“We need to be consistent on defense and take no defensive possessions off,” she added. “We need to maintain our composure and be very balanced. We need to play high IQ basketball.”
Malkowiak identified the following as players she could be leaning on this season: “Aiden Johnson is our only returner with
Hillen expects transition period in 1st year at Mount Pleasant
significant playing time.
Gage Valone is a very good leader and communicator. Jordan Grieff, Kade Hutchinson, Cole Massari and Jonah Townsend (will all be counted).
“We need to be super competitive and build off last year’s playoff appearance and compete for the section championship.”
Malkowiak said the team’s inexperience worries her.
“It is just our youth as a whole with experience,” she said. “I want to see mental and physical toughness and for us to be able to push through adversities.
“I want us to play with confidence and that really comes from preparation. So, we always prepare hard and then we will be able to adapt.”
By John Sacco For the Herald-Standard
Scott Hillen is the man on the job for the Mount Pleasant girls basketball team.
He expects a transition period for both his players and him.
“Our strength I would say is our toughness,” Hillen said. “I would say our weakness is our lack of confidence in ourselves as basketball players.
“Being it's my first year with the program, I anticipate having multiple starting lineups as the season goes on.”
The Mount Pleasant Area School Board hired Hillen in August as the coach for the varsity and middle school basketball teams.
He previously was the
women’s basketball coach at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, for about 10 years. Prior to that, he coached at Westmoreland County Community College, where he earned conference Coach of the Year honors.
Hillen is a teacher in the Monessen School District.
He is succeeding Scott Giacobbi, who was successful in coaching the program for several decades.
Hillen said if the season started Dec. 2 as scheduled, the starters would have been Grace Arrigo, Danica Trainer, Ryleigh Drzal, Carmella Spallone and Lex Baker, but the game was moved.
Hillen said lineups and roles could evolve.
“I feel our top eight or nine will all contribute and
interchange as starters and subs,” he added. “I think for us to be successful this season we need to buy into all the changes. A new coach can bring a lot of change and anxious feelings. We need to grow together and continue to learn and work together.
“I know this is an easy way out to say what players we will lean on but being it’s my first year with the program — I'm leaning on everyone to step up, buy in and just compete. Leaning on everyone will help accomplish the goal of us knowing we are in this together.”
The Vikings will compete in Section 3-AAAA with Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, South Park, Southmoreland and Yough.
Scotties chasing playoff berth, section title
By John Sacco For the Herald-Standard
Southmoreland’s boys basketball team is chasing a WPIAL postseason berth and section title this season.
The athletic Scotties have a legitimate chance.
“We believe the strengths of our team would be the overall athleticism,” said Southmoreland coach Frank Muccino. “We are very young and lack a ton of experience -- having only two starters who garnered a lot of varsity minutes last season.”
The Scotties will start junior guard Brady Sherbondy (6-2), junior forward Stanley Chapman (6-2), senior forward Elliot Premus (6-3), junior guard Ty Whoric (5-11) and junior
guard Noah Felentzer (6-0).
Southmoreland will utilize freshman guard-forward Brock Pritts (6-2), sophomore forward Brandon Geho (6-0), freshman forward Luke Stinnett (6-2), sophomore guard Nathan Nguyen (5-11) and junior guard Evan Geyer (5-11).
“We have to be able to defend, rebound and limit turnovers,” Muccino said.
The coach said it is clear, at least early on, who the team will rely on.
“Felentzer and Premus,” he said. “They are the only two with starting experience who are coming back. They must lead us until the others get comfortable.
“Elliot with his athleticism and toughness, especially defensively
where he arguably is the best defender, is huge and Noah, offensively, where he will be counted on as our primary playmaker, will be just as important.”
Others on the roster are freshmen guards Aiden Watkins (5-8), Jared Rumbaugh (5-8), Tanner Baker (511), Bradon Ulery (5-7) and Reese Jordon (5-7), and freshmen forwards Andrew Kotecki (6-0), Connor Dillon (5-11) and Dylan Bierhais (5-11).
Southmoreland will compete in Section 4-AAA with Brownsville, Charleroi, Ligonier Valley, Mount Pleasant and Waynesburg Central. The Scotties went 16-7 overall and 5-5 in the section last season. They lost to Montour, 71-44, in the WPIAL playoffs.
Lady Falcons have strong returning trio
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
There is a saying that good things come in threes and that happens to be the case when it comes to Brownsville’s girls basketball team.
The Lady Falcons sport a terrific trio of returning starters this season.
“We have a nice nucleus coming back with senior Zhariah Reed and juniors Skyler Gates and Ava Clark,” said Patty Columbia who is in her 10th season as Brownsville’s coach.
“Skyler and Ava are usually our top scorers and at times Zhariah can put up points as well. Ava is a calm, collected girl who is a good all-around player. We count on her a lot.
“Skyler is 6-foot-4 and an excellent shot blocker. She does tend to get in a little bit of foul
trouble so we have to remind her to be wary of that. She clogs things up defensively in the middle which helps us tremendously, and obviously she’s a strong inside presence for us on offense.
“I took for both Skyler and Ava to produce a lot for us this year. Offensively, they’ve both matured. This is their third year as starters so they bring a lot of experience.”
Reed brings a lot to the table, too, according to Columbia.
“Even though Zhariah is our point guard she definitely has the potential to be very explosive and light up the scoreboard in a hurry,” Columbia said. “She’s a four-year starter and brings a lot of leadership to our team.
Zhariah is so quick, she’s an outstanding ball handler and a good defender, too. She's a very gifted player.”
Rounding out the starting
lineup for Brownsville are senior Lydia Geary and junior Ciara Horabik.
“Lydia Geary is a guard/forward swing player who does anything you ask her to do and she does it hard,” Columbia said. “She has been really showing some leadership ability on the floor which has been impressive. She has a lot of siblings and she just knows how to take charge.
“Our fifth starter is Ciara Horabik. She’s a junior who got some playing time last year. She’s a quiet girl who has an absolutely beautiful outside shot. She is another kid who does anything you tell her to do. We’re looking for her to pull the defense off Skyler some. If Ciara gets hot it is going to open up things for not only Skyler but Ava and Zhariah as well.
Ramielle Grayson is
Columbia’s top reserve.
“Ramielle is a sophomore forward who is going to be a key player off the bench and we may even look for her to get some starting time here and there,” Columbia said. “She’s a big, strong girl and a great kid who’s a good listener.
“We have a really good, solid six players.”
The Lady Falcons reached the postseason last year when they were 12-10 overall and 5-5 in Section 4-AAA, finishing alone in third place. The path to the playoffs will be much more difficult this season with Brownsville now in Section 3-AAA.
“We’re in a tough section with Seton-LaSalle and Keystone Oaks back in there,” Columbia said. “I’m expecting both of them and McGuffey to be very tough. We’re going to have our work cut out for us. Washington,
Falcons coach Ramsey not afraid of change
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
Most basketball coaches have a certain style they prefer to play and they try to mold each of their players to fit their system.
Then there’s Rob Ramsey.
The former Geibel Catholic star who played at California University of Pa. isn’t opposed to change as he enters his third year as Brownsville’s boys basketball team.
He made that clear right off the bat when assessing his 2024-25 team.
”The last two years were pretty much the same but this year we seem to have so much more speed that I’m thinking of letting us run a little bit more than I have in the past,” Ramsey said.
Then there’s his defensive
strategy. Most coaches prefer either man-to-man or zone.
Ramsey is fine using both.
“When I first started coaching like 10 years ago I was like I’m going to play man. I’ll never play zone, I don’t like zone,” Ramsey said. “I came from (former Cal men’s coach) Bill Brown who always played man. But when I was in high school and played for Coach (Ken) Misiak we played mostly zone. I’m probably leaning more to Coach Misiak than Coach Brown at this point.
“Ever since I’ve been at Brownsville we’re probably like 50-50 with zone and man. My first season when we upset Yough and Washington we were in zone. There were also games where we played man and held teams under 40. So I just adjust what defense we use to who we’re playing that night.”
Ramsey himself has adjusted to being at Brownsville with two years there under his belt.
“I feel a lot more comfortable now,” Ramsey said. “Now I’m getting to know not only the players that I have but also the faculty and staff and students.”
Ramsey is also comfortable with the team he brought into the 202425 season.
“We have good young guys coming back,” Ramsey said. “Max Dieodonne and Jaiden Praster are returning starters. Praster is our point guard. He’s a junior who made a great big leap. He’s a much better player than he was last year, offensively and defensively and he’s running the team very well.
FALCONS, Page 15
Waynesburg and Charleroi are the other three. I think each of them got hit pretty hard by graduation last year, but I still expect them to be competing for that fourth spot, too.”
One change the Lady Falcons are implementing this year is on defense.
“I’ve played a lot of zone but our assistant coach C.J. Gaddis, who joined our staff last year, he really likes man to man and is trying to convert us to play predominantly man,” Columbia said. “We have a lot of speed, especially with Zhariah. Lydia is also a very good defensive player. We feel like we have what it takes to turn ourselves a little bit more into a man team. We’re definitely playing a lot more man than we have traditionally in the past.
“C.J. is a great guy who is really helping these kids a lot.”
Lady Scotties upbeat despite low numbers
By John Sacco
For the Herald-Standard
Low on numbers but long on experience, the Southmoreland High School girls’ basketball has reason for optimism in the 2024-25 campaign.
“This season, I think a strength of our team is the number of returning players and experience they have had at the varsity level,” said Southmoreland coach Amber Cernuto. “Again, our numbers are low this season, but we do have six returning letterwinners and a player returning from a few years back.
“They now know at what level and the pace they need to play at to be successful. Unlike last season, we had a lot of new faces to the varsity team, and we were not ready for that level of play.”
The Lady Scotties aren’t exactly a tall team but Cernuto is counting on grit and hustle to carry the squad.
“A weakness of our team is probably our size in height and numbers,” Cernuto said. “We are not very tall in size, which may be difficult for us to rebound. However, our girls are active and may be able to overcome this.
“The size of our roster may make things difficult in close games, and if we would get into foul trouble or injuries.”
Raiders return experienced squad
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@ heraldstandard.com
Michael Juliano saw plenty of familiar faces when the 2024 season got under.
running much quicker than we were last year.”
Juliano didn’t have a solid starting five when the season began due to the great depth his squad had.
Outside of a few of the returners, the coach has not settled on a starting five. That will be determined in the early part of the season.
“We currently do not have a starting lineup,” Cernuto said. “Our starting lineup will possibly change throughout the year depending on our competition.
“For our team to be successful this season, we will have to work together and communicate on the court.”
Olivia Aumer (a 6-1 sophomore) and Lanie Moore (a 5-6 senior) will play an important role in our success and motivating our younger players each day. Our freshmen class is motivated and wanting to see the court, so they will push for playing time.
“Our goals for the season are to improve on our record from last year and work to make the playoffs.”
The roster also includes juniors Leah Moore (5-7) and Breonna Zaffina (5-7), sophomores Ashley Seder (5-6), Maddie Bair (5-7) and Addyson Billheimer (6-1) and freshmen Sade Premus (5-7), Ava Keefer (5-8) and Baily Mains (5-5).
“As always, we have a difficult section,” Cernuto said. “Elizabeth Forward and Belle Vernon will probably be at the top, but we also have a few newcomers that will also be difficult, including South Park, Mount Pleasant and Yough.”
The Waynesburg Central boys basketball second-year coach didn’t lose any players from a team that went 7-15 overall and 2-10 in Section 4-AAA last year and added a few more pieces.
“You know year two is always a little easier than year one,” Juliano said. “I know the guys, they know me. We didn’t graduate anybody last year so from that standpoint it’s a much easier transition this year. We were ready to hit the ground
“We do not have a set starting lineup because we’re going to run nine deep and they’re all what I would consider startable guys,” Juliano said.
One of those most important “startable guys” is junior Dane Woods.
“Dane is a returning starter for us and many times has been our best all-around player,” Juliano said. “He can shoot outside and had our best percentage from the 3-point line, big body, physical, rebounder. He’s going to be a big asset for us.”
Running the offense will be sophomore Cole Headlee, who Juliano called “one of our top players.”
Three more returning starters are seniors Alex VanSickle and Alex Eck and junior Austin Surber.
“Austin started for us last year and also started some games the year before so he comes in with a ton of experience,” Juliano said. “Alex VanSickle was honorable mention all-section last year. He’s going to be in the mix a good bit. He’s going to be a huge factor for us again. Alex Eck is a returning starting center and is going to be big for us underneath.”
Junior Jackson Dean and
sophomore Caden Fowler came off the bench a year ago.
“Jackson had a really great offseason and has kind of worked himself into a spot,” Juliano said. “Fowler is a post player. He played a lot on the football field this fall and has gotten bigger and stronger.”
Senior Dominic Benamati and sophomore Jack Ricciuti both are back on the squad after taking a year off from basketball and complete Juliano’s top nine.
“Benamati did play the previous year,” Juliano pointed out. “Jack is a football guy who did not play last year but he came back out this year. A post player, he’s been great for us.”
Lady Raiders hit hard by graduation
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@ heraldstandard.com
Waynesburg Central girls basketball coach Chris Minerd chuckled slightly when asked how he intends to replace a player like Kaley Rohanna.
“Honestly, No. 1, you don’t replace a player like Kaley,” said Minerd, who is in his third season as the Lady Raiders coach.
“Kaley was a generational player, being the second all-time leading scorer in Waynesburg history.”
Rohanna, who finished her high school career with 1,510 points, was part of a strong senior class that also included Josie Horne, Addison Blair and Emma
Kindervater, from last year that Minerd had to replace.
“We’re going to miss that whole group,” Minerd said. “They played well for the last four years together, won three section titles and made two state playoff appearances. I don’t like to use the word rebuild but that’s kind of where we’re at right now.”
Waynesburg does have one starter back.
“Our only returning starter is Peyton Cowell so we’re going to look to her,” Minerd said. “She’s a junior. Avery Davis is also back. She’s a senior who started some games but was primarily our sixth man. That’s our experience pretty much.
“Peyton is our leader, and really she stepped into
a leadership role last year. She is vocal. She’s not afraid to say something that’s on her mind, but she leads by example, too. She’s a hard worker and the girls do tend to follow her.
“Avery is more of a lead-by-example person. She’s going to play the Kaley role where we’re going to have to depend on her for a lot of different things. It’s a different role than she’s used to. Last year I think she felt like she had to prove herself all the time when she was coming off the bench. This year she doesn’t have anything to prove, she just can come out and play like I want her to play.”
The rest of the starting lineup is vastly inexperienced.
“I’ve got 14 girls on the team and that includes three freshmen and three first-year seniors,” Minerd pointed out. “We do have some other seniors that haven’t had significant varsity time and they’re going to get thrust in. They’re Briena Conn and Mya Smith, and I’m expecting to get some minutes from sophomore Chatham Knight. All those girls will be playing significant varsity roles for the first time. That’s what I’m learning towards for our starting five.”
Minerd does have some flexibility with his starters.
“Coon will probably be the point guard sometimes but Avery will as well out of necessity sometimes,” Minerd said.
Miller remains upbeat despite Falcons’ move to Class 6A
By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.com
Jelan Miller enters his fourth season as the Connellsville boys coach and looks to this season, despite a move up to Class AAAAAA, to play more competitive basketball.
The Falcons finished 1-9 in Section 1-AAAAA and 2-20 overall, and made the move to the biggest classification in Section 2-AAAAAA against Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Hempfield, Imani Christian Academy, Mt. Lebanon,
Norwin and Upper St. Clair.
“We have three returning varsity players, with two getting considerable varsity time,” said Miller. “I’m looking to juniors Jayden Mickens and Geno Farrell, and senior Jahvon McBride because they have that glimpse of varsity experience.
“I’m not asking them for anything else than just to be a veteran. I have a lot of younger guys to bring energy.”
Miller noted he has numbers for the upcoming season, despite a number of losses to graduation.
“I had a very large senior class
and I was very privileged to have that large senior class.
It was a very bittersweet situation because the season went no way the way we had planned.
The sweet part was everyone who started with us finished,” explained Miller. “We do have numbers, which is an odd thing for me seeing the lack of success in the program over the last few years. But, our numbers continuously grow.
“There are a lot of young men in our school community who want to make a change. It’s going to take
us some time. I think we’ve gone through our roughest patch.
“It won’t be easy going forward, but I think we are in a better position to create an identity for ourselves and have some fun on the court.”
Miller noted he wants to build on the successes throughout the season.
“We want to continue to build on our small, little key terms, which are energy, effort and execution. Those things that we can control,” said Miller. “It allows us to play our most consistent, our most
competitive. When we are doing those three things, it allows us to do some things.
“We practice tough. That is our identity.”
Miller believes the Falcons are stronger when they play as one cohesive unit.
“Unity is one of our biggest things this year. Communication, not just on the defensive end, and be more confident in what we want to do,” said Miller, adding, “That’s what I want to put in their heads. We can do it together. We have to do it consistently.”
Painter, Lady Falcons make the move to Class 6A
By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.com
Eric Painter realizes the daunting task before him as he enters his second season as the Connellsville girls basketball coach.
The Lady Falcons moved up a classification to Class AAAAA, and will face the biggest programs in the WPIAL with a roster of 10 girls.
Connellsville will compete in Section 2-AAAAAA against Canon-McMillan, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin and Upper St. Clair.
“Our goal is to manage our expectations. We’re going to 6A. Most of the 6A schools have 10 girls in each grade. We have 10 girls on our team. We have to understand who we’re playing against and adjust our expectations accordingly,” said Painter, adding, “We want to be in the game. If we’re in the game, we’re doing the best we can.
“I feel we can be in the game against some of those teams.”
Painter feels he learned a lot from his first season.
“(The first season was) absolutely a learning process,” said Painter. “My first year in coaching I struggled with coaching in the game. My in-game coaching, I feel I’ve become better at that, so I hope it’s translating to them.
“If I’m able to think ahead for them, that’s huge.”
Painter will rely heavily on his daughter Elizabeth.
“My point guard is my daughter. She’s the floor general, but everyone needs to be able to talk. We need more talk on the floor,” said Painter. “We’re down to
10 girls right now, so the girls will be playing multiple spots on the floor.
“We’re not a transition team. We’re going to do a lot of work in the half court. Our half court defense is really good. We’re not going to press a lot. We just don’t have the personnel.”
Painter added, “A goal is going to slow it down so we can keep our wind,.”
Although the roster numbers aren’t robust, Painter does have a veteran crew returning.
“We have four seniors out there and three of them have played significant time,” said Painter. “We had two girls who were Big 56 honorable mention last year, Elizabeth (Painter) and Whitney (Bobish). We expect big things from them.
“They both averaged roughly eight points per game last year.They need to get that up to 10 or 12 (points per game).”
Painter said his team needs to be able to learn how to adjust when the offense doesn’t work the first time around.
“Our big thing is what we do when a play breaks down. We’ll need to break into something else and continue,” said Painter. “It’s defense-offense for us. They’re a strong defensive group.”
Painter understands the difficult task ahead, but hopes his squad will be able to piece together some wins.
“When you start to lose, it becomes contagious,” said Painter. “My goal for you, especially the seniors, is to leave this program and say you had fun.”
The Lady Falcons’ Elizabeth Painter shoots
during a non-section game against Uniontown at Connellsville on Dec. 12, 2023.
Jim Downey | HeralD-StanDarD
a foul shot
Opponents wary of Lady Mustangs now
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
No one saw it coming.
Laurel Highlands’ girls basketball team took the WPIAL by storm a season ago, rolling into the final four for just the second time in school history, notching its first PIAA win and ending the season with a sparkling 21-5 overall record.
Sure the Lady Mustangs had taken a big step up the previous season in Stewart Davis’ first year as coach when they went 1212 during the regular season and lost a playoff game to Highlands.
A nine-win improvement and three postseason victories seemed like a longshot, though, for a team with a small roster and thin bench, but that’s exactly what LH did.
There won’t be any sneaking up on teams this year, however.
“We’ve got a big bullseye on our back now,” said third-year coach Davis who lost no players to graduation.
Davis actually felt his squad could’ve done better last season.
“I thought last year we had opportunities to win that last game,” Davis said of a 45-36 loss to Fairview in the PIAA second round when LH built a big early lead. “I think we just ran out of gas.
“So this year the offseason was very important. They hit some camps up. I kept the girls busy in
Miya, a good shooter ball handler, will follow up behind her. She had some really big games in the playoffs for us.
“Who carries us is Aierra Jenkins. She’s a junior who worked all summer and played AAU along with Sumpter. She’s been in the gym constantly. She’s gone to trainers, she’s been here with me everyday. She's probably been working out twice a day in the summer so she’s coming back a little different.”
Rounding out the starting five are a pair of solid sophomores.
this year with a little more confidence in her offensive game.”
Rounding out the 10-player roster are junior transfer Madison Brooks, sophomores Isabella Paschke and Lola Mikluscak and freshman Chloe Price.
“Righteous will be the first one off the bench but I hope to maybe go seven or eight deep this season,” Davis said. “Last year we ran out of gas so this year we need to find some minutes from a few other girls.”
the weight room and running, and helped them learn that it takes a lot more, you can’t just take the offseason off and then show up and think you’re ready.”
Now Davis has to make sure his players don’t read their own clippings and lose the laser-like focus they had a year ago.
“Being in Fayette County, you only have so many schools and the community is basketball heavy,” Davis said. “You’ve got the student body and all these other people telling them how good they’re going to be, so it takes some humbleness.
“They took some humble pie coming in here being a little lethargic at the beginning. You’ve just got to get after them a little bit,
push them, and I think they’re at a point where they’re starting to gel in practice and they’re loving the process of working harder.
“As long as we stay connected as we did in the summer – we played some tough teams, Wheeling Park, Wheeling Central, Norwin – I expect us to have a fairly good season. But we’re obviously going to concentrate on one game at a time.”
The Lady Mustangs’ trademark was a harassing defense a year ago and that won’t change with all five starters coming back.
“Our returning starting seniors will be Miya Harris and Aryianna Sumpter,” Davis said. “Sumpter led us in scoring last year. She was definitely our motor, offensively.
“Our other two starters are the two Taylors, Taylor Schwertfeger and Taylor Irwin,” Davis said. “Schwertfeger did a heck of a job defensively last year as a freshman, and she worked on her shot, she worked on her ball handling so she should bring more of a skill set offensively this year.
“Irwin surprised teams last year with her jump shot. She hit some big ones in the playoffs. She is stronger. She worked in the weight room and was on the soccer team so she’s used to contact and defensively she’s moving her feet better.”
The top player off the bench will again be Righteous Richardson, the third senior on the team.
“Righteous worked all summer as well. She was locked in,” Davis said. “She gave me valuable minutes defensively but she comes in
The Lady Mustangs are again in a slightly altered Section 3-AAAA where they finished second last year. Back are section champion Elizabeth Forward, which handed LH three of its five losses, including one in a postseason state placement game, along with Belle Vernon, Ringgold and Southmoreland. Gone are Unionitown and West Mifflin with South Park, Mount Pleasant and Yough coming in.
“Obviously the top dog is still EF,” Davis said. “They won it last year and the previous year so we’ve still got to go through them.”
The Lady Mustangs and Lady Warriors both made the WPIAL semifinals last season. Laurel Highlands blasted Quaker Valley, 65-29, and upended Highlands, 4533, before falling to eventual PIAA champion Blackhawk, 51-32. LH defeated Johnstown, 51-48, in the first round of the state tournament for its landmark win.
Lori C. PadiLLa
Laurel Highlands returns all five of its starters this season, including its three leading scorers in (from left) Miya Harris, Aierra Jenkins and Aryianna Sumpter.
Mustangs bumped up to 5A into rugged Section 1
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
The Laurel Highlands boys basketball team struggled last year to the surprise of no one after losing a large, talented senior class that included stars Rodney Gallagher III and Keondre DeShields to graduation.
The Mustangs went 2-20 under first-year coach John Smith, who stepped in for Rick Hauger, with a vastly inexperienced team. Smith didn’t feel his team was as bad as its record.
“I believe there were seven games we lost by single digits,” Smith said.
While Smith does have some veteran players returning this season his team was not only bumped up a classification to 5A but also put in the very talented Section 1.
“When they released the sections and we saw the schedule, I knew that we were going to be up against it,” Smith said. “In my opinion, we’re in the toughest section in 5A.”
Section 1 also includes Fayette County rivals Uniontown and Albert Gallatin, along with Penn-Trafford, Gateway, Franklin Regional, McKeesport and Latrobe.
“I got an entire offseason to really work with the boys,” Smith said. “Last year’s group, they were great, hardnosed kids. I had five seniors on that team but they had almost no varsity experience. Now I’ve got some guys coming back that got some varsity experience last year.”
Smith’s starting five at the beginning of the season were senior guards Antwan Black and Aiden Black, senior center Brennen Varney and junior forwards Sevi Vecchiolla and Luke Martin.
Smith hopes to have a balanced offensive attack rather than rely on one
buRchianti
FALCONS
six of the last seven games last year. He and Cam Phillips are our top rebounders.
Continued from 11
“Jaiden and Max are going to be expected to pick up the scoring we lost with the graduation of Trent Wible.”
The Falcons were without one of their other top scorers early in the season.
“Kaden Wimmer has a MCL sprain,” Rasmey pointed out. “He should be coming back around mid-December. He’s a junior.”
Ramsey doesn’t name team captains but did say that Wimmer is a great team leader.
“Cam is a junior who saw some minutes last year and is another guy that made a really big jump in the offseason. We’re expecting him to start for us at the four and the five positions. I think when Kaden comes back he and Cam will be a great pair down low.”
Ramsey sees Wood’s role increasing this season.
“Devan will have an opportunity to start some games,” Ramsey said. “He didn’t play a whole lot last year but he’s one of the hardest workers we have. He’s another guy who’s shown significant improvement.
or two players to produce points.
“I really try to play team-style basketball and take what the other team gives you,” Smith said. “That’s my coaching philosophy. What I’m hoping for is for us to be patient, be disciplined. Hopefully we can stay composed and we can compete and open up some eyes. We’ve definitely got some athletes and we’ve got a little bit of size which we didn’t have much of last year.
“I can see Antwan and Aiden getting out in transition and scoring a lot of buckets. Aiden has a nice mid-range game. Luke has a nice touch around the hoop. Sevi is big and can bang inside, Varney can get some offensive rebounds and some putbacks. I hope we can be a well-rounded team.”
The Mustangs go much deeper this season as well, according to Smith.
“I’ve got two sophomores that will be coming off the bench real quick, Kayden Smith and Tyrone Burton,” Smith said. “Burton has good size. Smith can shoot the ball well and
grew a good bit the last year. Another sophomore, Jude Packrone, will probably get some varsity minutes as well. And I also have another senior, Nico Harim, that will be seeing a considerable amount of varsity time.”
Smith’s coaching staff returns junior varsity coach Shandon Marshall and assistant coaches Jonathan Krizner and Paul Eckert, with one other addition, that being Hauger.
Laurel Highlands is not only in a rugged section but faces a tough non-conference slate also.
“I know we only won two games last year and that goes on my overall coaching record, but that’s not why I do this,” Smith said. “I want to play the best and I want Laurel Highlands to be one of the most respected basketball programs there is. I believe there’s only one way to do that and that’s to play the best teams you can.
“I wanted to make sure the non-conference games that I scheduled are going to be what we need to get ready for section play.”
“Preston Rosado and Devan Wood, our only two seniors, are leaders and also Wimmer,” Ramsey said. “Everyone looks to Kaden for leadership. I expect when he comes back to average 15-20 points a game. He had a double-double in
“Rosado is a transfer from Toledo, Ohio who’s a great kid and a great worker. He’s about a 5-10 guard who’s still learning. We also have Exzavier Vargas, a junior who plays great defense and does everything you ask him to do.”
GOOD LUCK TO ALL MUSTANGS
LAUREL HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Rob
| heRald-StandaRd Laurel Highlands boys basketball coach John Smith talks to Jaden Ringer during a game last season. Smith returns for his second season as head coach of the Mustangs.
Pioneers optimistic with 5 returning starters
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
West Greene is coming off one of its most memorable boys basketball seasons in program history.
With their top six players all returning, the Pioneers are optimistic that 2024-25 can be even better.
It won’t be easy, however. West Greene was moved up into Class AA this season and into Section 3 which includes another potent Fort Cherry team among others.
Jim Romanus is in his 14th year as coach of the Pioneers and 48th in coaching overall. While he won multiple section titles when he coached at Jefferson-Morgan, West Greene has never claimed a first-place WPIAL plaque in boys basketball. He feels, despite the strong section the Pioneers are in, this is one of their best chances to do so.
“We have all five starters coming back. Three seniors, Lane Allison, Patrick Durbin and Parker Burns, and two juniors, Darren Knight and Matthew Wassil,” Romanus said. “Our sixth man, junior Will Shipman returns as well.
This has to be the year for us.”
West Greene went 16-9 overall and 8-2 in Section 2-A where it finished second to Monessen last season. The Greyhounds’ lone section loss came at the hands of West Greene.
The Pioneers notched a first by hosting and winning a WPIAL playoff game, over Avella, for the first time in program history. It was West Greene’s first postseason win since 1991.
This year the Pioneers’ section foes in addition to Fort Cherry, which went 23-7 and reached the PIAA semifinals a year ago, are Chartiers-Houston, Beth-Center, Burgettstown, Jefferson-Morgan, Carmichaels and Mapletown.
“I think Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston are really good and the top two,” Romanus said. “I think that Jefferson-Morgan is pretty good, too.
“I think there’s not a team that we can’t beat in the section, but there’s not a team that we can’t lose to either. We run a very organized system but it takes everyone to perform their role. If we play undisciplined basketball and
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we don’t take good shots and make good shots, then we can be beat. It’s that simple.”
Leading the way for West Greene’s returning starters is Allison, who scored his 1,000th point late last season.
“Lane is special, an outstanding offensive player,” Romanus said. “It’s really something how these players all know their roles. A lot of kids don’t want to accept their roles. Like if you watch Lane play, he can score in bunches, he’s a natural at that. Not everyone is like that even though some kids think they are. We have to like put a lid on that and say your shots will come from here, from this offense and this is how. Whereas like Lane can pretty much score from anywhere.”
While Allison is a premiere scorer, Durbin is an elite passer.
“Patrick can do a lot of things but he is as good of a passer around here since Tommy Curtis down at Jefferson-Morgan,” Romanus said. “Tommy Curtis was an outstanding passer. He had vision. Patrick is like that, too. He’s really good at seeing the court.”
Lady Pioneers plan return to ‘Press Greene’
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@ heraldstandard.com
Ben Brudnock watched his daughter play basketball for West Greene under head coach Jordan Watson and assistant coach Justin Allen and liked what he saw.
Elizabeth Brudnock wound up being one of the very few girls to ever start in four consecutive WPIAL championship games.
The Lady Pioneers were known for their “Press Greene” full-court pressure and uptempo play at that time and Ben Brudnock, in his first year as head coach, wants to get back to that mentality and execution.
Brudnock takes over for Austin Crouse, who followed Watson as head coach and guided the Lady Pioneers the past two seasons.
“I may not run the same X’s and O’s that Jordan Watson and Justin Allen did but the blueprint is absolutely there,” Brudnock said of how he’s constructed his first team. “The proof is on the gym walls. It was fast-paced, in your face the whole 90 feet. We pay tribute
every time we go in the gym because we see those championship banners and our girls right now on the varsity grew up watching his teams.
Six straight section championships, 70 straight section wins. We’re definitely dipping back into that.”
Brudnock knows all about West Greene’s athletic traditions. Although he’s a Norwin graduate, he’s made West Greene his home.
“I’m kind of one of those guys, I’ve always been around West Greene,” Brudnock said. “I have been the head junior high coach for the girls the last two years so half the roster is very familiar with me.”
Brudnock has also coached baseball and football.
“I’ve been always around West Greene coaching multiple sports,” Brudnock said. “I’ve just never been a varsity head coach. I think the transition has been pretty quick and easy.”
Brudnock’s son, Nathan, was also an outstanding multi-sport athlete at West Greene, and his youngest daughter, Katie, is a freshman on the girls basketball team under her dad.
Brudnock wasn’t officially hired until October but he’s already had a positive impact with his team opening the season 4-0, including a 45-39 win over Class AAA McGuffey which came in 3-0.
“We’re playing uptempo and we’re playing a lot of girls and they just bring a lot of excitement to it,” said Brudnock who has a flexible starting lineup.
“We have sort of a starting seven or eight depending on matchups but I would say four of them are full-time starters. That includes our lone senior at this point, Marissa Tharp, our point guard. Her sister Kendra, who is a junior, and then two sophomores, Madelyn Roberts and Kylee Davis, are our constant four starters.”
Marissa Tharp leads the way among the foursome.
“Marissa is our most experienced varsity player and she’s going to be our floor general,” Brudnock said. “She is also going to harass the opposing ball handler coming up the floor. She’s given us great leadership, she’s got great overall quickness and she’s a good shooter. She’s a key piece of the puzzle for us.”
Maples will ‘play up’ next two seasons
By John Sacco For the Herald-Standard
The Mapletown High School boys’ basketball team finds itself in unfamiliar territory as it enters the 2024-2025 season.
In an effort to play against familiar faces in section play, the Maples volunteered to “play up” in classification the next two seasons.
“Everyone of the teams around us were up in classification to Double-A,” said Mapletown athletic director Linda Messich. “We felt with Greene County all in Double-A, it would also help
mitigate our transportation.”
The only two local teams in Class A with any relationship with the Maples are Avella and Monessen. Nine private schools and Cornell made up the rest of the classification.
“We weren’t willing to be traveling to games in the Pittsburgh area or to play against all those private schools,” said Messich.
Mapletown will be competing in Section 3-AA with Beth-Center, Burgettstown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene.
Mapletown coach Christopher
Everson said playing in Class AA isn’t the best situation for Mapletown, which is one of the smallest schools in the WPIAL.
“Obviously, I don’t think it’s ideal for us to be playing in Double-A as far as making the playoffs are concerned,” Everson said. “At first, some aspects of this (move up) I didn’t understand. At first, it’s like: ‘What are we doing?’
“As I learned more, it makes sense geographically. We’ll be playing teams we generally play. We must compete and play ball. There’s not much we can do about it now. I do understand.”
Defense will key Lady Maples’ success
By John Sacco
For the Herald-Standard
Mapletown’s girls basketball team enters the 2024-25 season on the defensive.
The Lady Maples are looking to limit opponents who promise to bring strong offenses and scoring abilities in their new section alignment.
“Defense has always been our stronger area and having a full starting lineup consisting of prior players is a plus,” said Lady Maples coach Kaitlyn Novak. “We need better shot options and quicker decisions.”
Mapletown’s starters, according to Novak, are junior guard Makenna Lotspeich (5-4), junior guard-forward Emma Zalar (5-5), junior forward Nicole Barerra, sophomore forward Sophia Jennings (5-6) and sophomore guard
Helena Cumpston (5-3).
She added that sophomore guard Leona Liggett (5-4) and freshman forward Chloe McClead (5-5) will be key players coming off the bench.
Other players include sophomore forward Meah Branham (5-4), senior guard Taniyah Spell (5-3) and senior guard Kaelynn Hughes (5-4).
“We need to stay healthy and have more confidence in handling pressure,” Novak said. “We will rely heavily on Emma Zalar and Nicole Barrera defensively. Both are very aggressive. Sophia Jennings will be an asset on both ends with her rebounding. Helena Cumpston and Makenna Lotspeich will be key offensive players, as they are good shooters and have developed driving to the hoop better.”
Mapletown will compete in Section 2-A with Avella,
Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Geibel Catholic, Monessen, Serra Catholic and West Greene.
According to the WPIAL, the top five teams in the section will qualify for the playoffs, which are scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 13.
“Our goal is to always be better than the year before,” Novak said. “The section is the toughest I’ve seen. Going against private schools is always a battle. Not to mention, Serra Catholic was just in the WPIAL championship, so it’ll be a change of pace for a school like us.
“These aren’t your traditional tri-county section matchups. We’re used to playing teams like Carmichaels and Jefferson-Morgan. Now we have schools who have girls averaging 40 points per game, like Clairton.”
Everson said the Maples have some characteristics of good teams.
“Our quickness, defense and resilience are our strengths,” said Everson. “Size is our weakness.
“Our starting five is unclear. I have 10 guys who will all have to contribute to be successful this year. We must play for each other and play with intensity on the defensive side of the ball.”
Last season, Mapletown went 2-18 overall and 1-9 in Section 2-A. The Maples lost six straight games to open the season. They then defeated Carmichaels, lost
three and defeated Geibel Catholic before losing their final 19 games.
They averaged 46.6 points per game and allowed an average of 63 points per game.
“Our seniors will have to lead us this year,” Everson explained. “Our goals are to take care of the basketball and play hard every second of every game.
“The section should be very competitive this year. The most important factor for our team’s success will be us believing in each other and playing hardnosed defense and playing for each other.”
MAPLETOWN MAPLES GOODLUCK
MAPLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, STAFF, ATHLETIC DEPT. & STUDENTS
Lady Raiders face tough road in Class 5A
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
Uniontown’s girls basketball team showed improvement last season, upping its overall record from 4-17 to 8-13.
Another jump in wins seems unlikely this season after the Lady Raiders were bumped from Class 4A up to Class 5A and dropped into a very strong Section 4.
“We’re going back to 5A so we’ve got a lot of work to put in and get ready to play basketball,” eighth-year coach Penny Kezmarsky said of the move up.
“TJ, Baldwin, Trinity, Peters Township, Bethel Park … we’re obviously facing some good teams and have some long bus rides. We do have one local rival. AG is in our section so we’ll be playing them twice.”
Peters Township, Bethel Park and Baldwin were all 6A teams a year ago.
“Numbers are numbers I guess,” Kezmarsky said on the enrollment cutoffs. “We started in 5A when we took this position. We went to 4A for two years and now we’re back to 5A. We’ve been here before so we know the basketball we’re getting into. I just have to make them realize 4A and 5A, there’s a big difference. What can you do? We’ll get ready and prepare for those games.”
The Lady Raiders might have a tough task ahead but Kezmarsky likes her roster.
“We have a good group of girls, some who’ve been with us for four years and are seniors now.”
Uniontown has three seniors, including captains Emily Myers and Mkinli Baker.
“Disaya will be our first girl off the bench and she’s also almost interchangeable with Lyric for that two guard position. Rae Robinson is another freshman who is going to get a lot of minutes. She’s the daughter of (former Red Raiders star) Ray Robinson. Kaleeya Tyler is a sophomore who helps out at the point guard position, too, off the bench.”
Kezmarsky, who again will be assisted by Michelle Sevcik, knows what to expect when her team gets into section play.
“We’re really getting ready, preparing to break presses because we anticipate a lot of pressing,” Kezmarsky said. “We’re going to try to get to the fastbreak to not give anybody a second to get anything set up, so just get the ball and go. We’re also working on conditioning because we’ve got to be in shape to be able to keep up with the teams in our section.”
“They’re a good combination as leaders,” Kezmarsky said. “Emily is very vocal. Mkinli is sort of a lead-by-example girl and she kind of keeps everybody straight and in the right place. They work well together.
“We have a third senior who hasn’t played the last two years but we’re glad she came back this year and that’s Disaya Craggette.”
The two senior captains will play in the frontcourt in the Lady Raiders’ starting lineup.
“Emily is our center, Mkinli will be the four,” Kezmarsky said. “We’re looking at a freshman point guard, Charley Murtha, who’s going to have to learn fast. Our
other starters are Lyric McLee, a junior, who plays the two and Tessa Nicholson, a sophomore who’s a transfer from Rockwood, will be the three.”
Each of the starting five brings something different to the table, according to Kezmarsky.
“Emily is our tallest player and has come a long way with her post moves,” she said. “Mkinli is a rebounder. The ball can be on the other side of the basket and somehow she gets over there and gets it. We’re going to trust Charley to handle the basketball and get up the floor for us. Lyric is a great defender and Tessa is a good all-around player who can do a little bit of everything.
Uniontown, in a rarity, opened the season with a section game, falling to Thomas Jefferson, then split two games at Brownsville’s Falcon Fest, losing to Chartiers-Houston but defeating Bentworth in a 1-2 start.
While Albert Gallatin is in their section, the Lady Raiders don’t have Laurel Highlands or Connellsville on their schedule.
“This is the first year since I’ve been here that we’re not going to be playing Laurel Highlands,” Kezmarsky said. “We do have a few other local teams. We will be playing in the Carmichaels tournament at Christmas.”
The Lady Raiders also have non-section games in January at California (Jan. 8) and at home against Ringgold (Jan. 15) and Brownsville (Jan. 22).
Rob buRchianti | heRald-StandaRd
Uniontown girls basketball coach Penny Kezmarsky directs her players during a press-breaking drill at practice.
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Red Raiders led by 4-year starters Grooms, Winfrey
By Rob Burchianti rburchianti@heraldstandard.com
Rob Kezmarsky has never been one to name captains for his Uniontown boys basketball teams.
Even so, there is no doubt who fills the leadership roles this season, according to the longtime Red Raiders coach.
Four-year starters Calvin Winfrey III and Notorious Grooms are the two players everyone looks up to.
“They’re the leaders, the vocal leaders and the lead-by-example leaders,” said Kezmarsky, who is in his 23rd year at the helm of the Red Raiders.
“You don’t have that many kids who play almost 80 games like both of them. They play so much basketball, and they’re hard workers who are always trying to get better. The’re 4.0 students and, in my opinion, two of the best guards in the WPIAL. They have a lot of big-game experience.”
The duo played key roles on what was arguably Kezmarsky’s best team last season, one that ended up with a 23-5 record and included the program’s 51st section title and 12th under Kezmarsky, an appearance in the WPIAL Class AAAA final four and a PIAA playoff victory.
How good were the Red Raiders last season?
A look at Lincoln Park’s dominating run through the postseason on its way to winning WPIAL and PIAA championships is evidence. The Leopards won
Rob buRchianti | heRald-StandaRd Uniontown four-year starters Calvin Winfrey III (2) and Notorious Grooms (00) force a turnover with a double team during a PIAA playoff victory against Grove City last season. Grooms reached the 1,000-point plateau last year while Winfrey entered this season needing 111 points to join him.
all but two of their nine playoff games in blowout fashion. The exceptions were a 74-63 win over Uniontown in the WPIAL semifinals and a 66-62 win over the Red Raiders in the second round of the state tournament.
Kezmarsky and his team had to be wondering if it might’ve been them romping over Archbishop Carroll by 30 points in the PIAA final instead of Lincoln Park had they somehow gotten by the Panthers.
Uniontown will have a tough road to hoe this season also as it has been moved up to Class 5A and will compete in Section 5 with McKeesport, Gateway, Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional and Latrobe along with Fayette
County rivals Laurel Highlands and Albert Gallatin.
Kezmarsky is well aware of the task at hand.
“I’ve looked at our section since they came out after last season was over, checking to see what teams have coming back,” Kezmarsky said. “We feel there are a lot of good basketball teams in there. We’ve scouted them. They’re more guard-oriented teams from what we usually see and they shoot a lot of threes.
“A lot of them play the same style as North Catholic, dribble-drive, penetrate and kick. We’ve been studying them and now we’ll get out and watch them.”
Kezmarsky foresees a tight battle for the section crown.
“I don’t see any one team sweeping through. I see a lot of parity,” Kezmarsky said. “There’s 14 section games. I won’t be surprised if the team that wins it goes maybe 11-3.
“The key is you have to protect your home court. That’s very important.”
Kezmarsky knows what it takes to win section championships. Uniontown has claimed 51 of them over the years and 12 of those were under his watch. Kezmarsky has a career section record of 202-71 and has chalked up 346 total coaching wins.
“It’s still an honor to coach here,” Kezmarsky said.
Grooms and Winfrey lead the way for his 202425 edition. Grooms hit the 1,000-point plateau last
season and finished his junior year with 1,208. Winfrey came into this season needing just 111 points to join him.
“You don’t see too many teams with two 1,000-point scorers,” Kezmarsky said. “It’s incredible how hard they’ve worked and continue to work. They go shoot every night and work on their game. We’re lucky to have them.
“Tory probably scored more as a freshman than he did the last two years but he took a team-first approach.Calvin was having a great year last year and he had a serious ankle injury and it affected our team when we didn’t have him. He came back at close to 100 percent at the end of the regular season and the way he played in the playoffs was tremendous.”
Kelan Milsom and Isaac Ellsworth will also be in the starting lineup.
“Kelan is a senior who has been outstanding,” Kezmarsky said. “Last year he was our sixth man. He started the North Catholic game (59-37 win) in the playoffs when K’Adrian (McLee) got hurt. He’s been playing so well. He does so many things for us besides scoring. On defense he’s always guarding the other team’s best man. He’s a great player.
“Isaac is a junior who I think is one of the best 3-point shooters in the WPIAL. It’s amazing how he shoots the ball.”
Ellsworth showed off his long range ability in Uniontown’s first game, pouring in 10 3-pointers
in a 35-point performance during an 81-65 win over Thomas Jefferson.
As for the Red Raiders’ fifth starter, Ayden Kiefer and Cam Dugan are expected to take turns filling that role.
“We actually have six starters,” Kezmarsky said. “Ayden is a 6-4 senior who played JV last year and he had a really good summer for us. Cam is a guard who makes us a faster team when he’s in there and gives us a different look.”
Filling out the varsity roster are senior Trevor Uphold and sophomores Nolan Baker, Anthony Sheffey and Donovan Coffey.
“The bench players are developing. They’re really dedicated basketball players. When you have an injury somebody has to step up. That’s an opportunity for somebody.”
The Raiders won’t play quite the same way they did last year, Kezmarsky said.
“We’re playing at a faster tempo this year,” he said. “We want to push the ball down the floor more. We’re a different style team than we were a year ago. We shoot a lot of threes but we get to the hoop, too.”
“Sheffey has a chance to be a really good inside player for us with size,” Kezmarsky said. “Uphold played JV last year and will come off the bench for us. He’s a great role player and a great kid. Coffey is another kid who can contribute inside for us. He’s a sophomore. Baker, who is (former Red Raider star) Bakari Wallace’s brother, can provide us some offense off the bench.
Allison Park
Belle Vernon
Brownsville
Butler
Connellsville
Cresson
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Elizabeth
Indiana
Jeannette
Kittanning
Latrobe
Ligonier
Markleysburg
Masontown
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