Dec 2, 2014 7 min read

Fans of Washington High School boys basketball are hoping the man who led the resurgence of the program for 29 years will be the one to return the Prexies to glory in 2014.

Ron Faust wants to temper those expectations, at least for the first month of the season. With a team adjusting to him and his system, Wash High’s head coach is expecting a few hiccups when the season tips off Friday night against Trinity at Canon-McMillan High School.

While the concepts are somewhat similar to former head coach Mark Gaither’s system – both run a motion offense with a man-to-man pressure defense – their coaching styles are different to say the least.

Playing for a new coach who holds a 518-192 overall record during 29 seasons as Wash High’s head coach with four WPIAL titles and two state championships can have quite the effect on how quickly a team adjusts.

“There are some talented kids, but it takes some time for them to get used to a new system, which is the case anywhere when you have a new coach,” Faust said. “It takes time for me to see what their talents are to put them in the best position to make it successful and that’s an ongoing process right now.”

The Prexies finished with a 17-7 overall record in 2013 and defeated Burrell in the WPIAL playoffs before losing to Summit Academy.

Although Dupree Jenkins and Quorteze Levy are gone, Faust will have a plethora of talent to work with. Junior Nate Swart, an Observer-Reporter First Team All-District selection last season, is back after averaging 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. A 6-5 forward who can play on the outside or inside, Swart will be a key cog in Faust’s defensive-minded approach.

Senior DeQuay Isbell, an O-R Third Team All-District selection last season, is also back and will be joined by several other returners, including Jonathan Spina, Matt Popeck, Anthony Popeck and Jordan West. Matt Popeck has been limited with mononucleosis, while West broke his ankle in the football team’s quarterfinal victory over Apollo-Ridge.

“(West is) one of those guys – not to say that other people don’t play this way – but he’s so darn gritty and competitive that he just makes a difference,” Faust said. “He’s the guy who gets you through games where you aren’t playing well because he just won’t give up and I think you saw that in football too.”

Faust did add depth and athleticism when two football players decided to join the team: senior Malik Wells and junior Zach Parr, a 6-3 forward who will provide depth in the front court.

With players missing time because of injuries, Faust is still deciding on a rotation, but one thing is for certain: defense will be a necessary trait for every Wash High player.

“I think there are going to be nights where offensively, any team isn’t going to perform well, but there is really no excuse on the defensive end to not be productive,” Faust said. “When you have some talent and I think we do, there are cases where your defense can turn into your offense with the transition game.”

The Prexies won’t have much time to adjust. Wash High begins Section 3-AA play Dec. 12 at Seton-La Salle, last season’s state runner-up. With a section that includes the Rebels, Brentwood, Bishop Canevin and Chartiers-Houston, Faust is aware the team’s work over the next nine days will be critical for preparing for those opponents.

“There aren’t going to be many breathers when section time comes and I’m sorry to say it comes quickly,” Faust said. “We are very excited for the season to begin, but for as long as I can remember, you are always ready for it start and once it does, you wish you had more time to prepare.”

The Blue Devils lost two starters from last year’s team, which finished with a 4-18 overall record. Burgettstown’s inexperience in 2013 is set to pay off this season with 13 players returning, including sophomore Cole LaRocka, who had a team-high 12.7 points per game as a freshman.

The Bucs lost the steady scoring of Miles Williamson, Ben Shade and O-R First Team All-District selection Kodie Hanley, but they return senior Alec Ferrari and sophomore AJ Myers.

After injuries plagued the Rangers last season, Phil Baker and Alex Babirad return. Fort Cherry will also count on Justin Iskey to compete for a playoff spot in Section 3-AA.

The Bearcats return all 11 players from last season, including Damon Petrola-Bakos, Angelo Rios-Lopez and Zach Robker. Bentworth will also rely on four freshman in a deep rotation as it attempts to reach the Class AA playoffs.

The Bulldogs finished with a 6-8 record in Section 5-AA play and missed the playoffs last season, but Beth-Center moved to Section 4 with familiar rivals, including Bentworth, Carmichaels and Waynesburg.

The Mikes moved to Class AA after several strong seasons in Class A and they will replace the bulk of their rotation from last season. Carmichaels does not have a senior on the roster, but two players to look out for are sophomore Liam Shea and junior Coty Allen.

The Cougars reached the preliminary round of the playoffs last season where they lost to Chartiers-Houston. While Charleroi lost three of its starting five, senior Matt Carr and 6-7 junior center John Arnold are back.

Waynesburg

Dave Sarra replaces Drew Schifino as head coach and Sarra will have a few key returners, including his son Dom. John-Glen Davis’ knee injury is a big loss, but Colby Collins and Jason Zeleny are the other seniors on the roster.

The Bearcats lost one starter and return five key players from last season – Reilly Skerbetz, Heather Chester, Tori Cicci, Morgan Vickless and Grace Marchezak.

The Blue Devils return all but two players from last year’s team, which finished with an 8-14 overall record.

The Bucs will begin Laura Montecalvo’s first year as head coach with six returning letterman, but an extremely young roster. Although Jalynn Myers, Megan Kraushaar and Jala Youngblood received extensive playing time last season, seven freshmen will have an opportunity to carve out a role for C-H.

The Bulldogs finished with a 3-15 overall record last season, but with one of the best players in Class AA returning, Anna Bartman, the Bulldogs hope to compete in Section 4-AA.

The Mikes defeated Monessen in a Class A preliminary round game before losing to Vincentian in the first round, but Carmichaels is now in Class AA. Carmichaels returns senior Caroline Cree, who averaged 13 points per game last season.

Charleroi

The Cougars reached the WPIAL playoffs a year ago, but they lost O-R First Team All-District selection Mia Woytovich, who is playing at Washington & Jefferson. Charleroi also lost the remaining members of its starting five, but Adrianna Gottheld and Jennifer Tilghman received playing time last season.

Washington

The Prexies reached the WPIAL playoffs where they defeated Shady Side in a preliminary round game, but three seniors are gone. They key returners are senior Taylor Ellis, junior Mikala Maltony and junior Tajah Gordon.

Waynesburg

The Raiders went 2-17 last season with a very young lineup, including five sophomores and three freshmen, which should translate to an improved 2014.