Dec 2, 2015 5 min read

It took a fight through a rugged Section 5-AAA schedule and plenty of growing pains, but in its final section game last February, Trinity’s boys basketball team was right where it needed to be: competing for a playoff spot.

There was one problem, though. The Hillers needed help from other teams in the section to make the WPIAL playoffs.

“We were trying to have our guys get it,” said Trinity head coach Tim Tessmer. “By February, we started to play some good basketball.”

That was evident in the Hillers’ 55-47 win in a packed gym at McGuffey High School, but for Trinity, a West Allegheny victory over Montour knocked the Hillers out of the playoff picture. Trinity finished with a 9-13 record, including 5-7 in the section.

A slow start – 4-8 in the first 12 games – was the byproduct of the growing pains of a starting lineup that included three freshmen and an 18-man roster that had only three seniors. The new season and the memory of coming up short motivate this team.

Sophomores Joey Koroly, Dylan Kern and Ben Phillis lead the returning letterwinners.

Koroly, who is a standout running back on the football team, impressed in his freshman year, averaging 13 points per game.

“(Koroly) is just a competitor and he has that mentality that he isn’t going to lose,” said Tessmer.

Kern kept opponents occupied with exceptional three-point shooting, connecting on 43 percent of his attempts. Phillis, a force in the paint for the Hillers, averaged seven points and eight rebounds per game.

“I think we can put points up with the best of them,” said Tessmer. “We should have five guys in double digits almost every night. Our biggest focus is trying to stop people and play defense.”

That was an issue for the Hillers last season as they finished second to last in the section, slightly ahead of Keystone Oaks, allowing 57 points per game.

Unlike seasons past, Tessmer is seeing a difference in the Hillers as they work to return to the postseason.

“We are all on the same page and know each other’s expectations,” said Tessmer. “We have all bought in. We set short-term goals and that is no different this year. We would like to win both the Tip-Off Tournament and Christmas Tournament, along with winning our home games. Doing those would put us in a really good place. This year we can’t wait until February.”

The phrase “Defense wins championships” has often been used to describe the Lions’ football team, but is isn’t limited to that sport.

South Fayette’s boys basketball team exemplified that effort of a strong defense last year, allowing slightly over 46 points per game, one of the best marks in the WPIAL. Head coach Rich Bonnaure will use that mantra again after a 12-0 finish in Section 5.

“We’ve played 15 kids all summer long and have continued to focus on defense,” said Bonnaure. “I feel like we have been one of the best defensive teams around the area the past couple of years.”

The Lions lost Brett Brumbaugh, Nick McKee and Jack Relihan, an Observer-Reporter all-district selection last season, to graduation. Much-needed depth and assistance from the 12 football players arrived earlier than usual after the loss to Aliquippa in the WPIAL title game at Heinz Field last Saturday.

Relihan, who averaged 16.1 points per game to help the Lions capture the section title, will be replaced by junior Matt Thomas. Bonnaure said Thomas had a strong finish to last season and a tremendous summer. So did Cam Garland, Ryhan Culberson and Noah Plack, all football players.

“We have been fairly lucky enough to continue to reload in the 14 years that I have been here,” said Bonnaure. “We aren’t lowering our goals, but we might be a late-blooming team this season.”

McGuffey

The Highlanders are looking to carry any momentum from winning the last two games last season.

Those two victories snapped a 10-game losing streak that stretched over the final month of the season. McGuffey finished with an 8-14 record, including 2-10 in Section 5.

It won’t get much easier for the Highlanders, who lost 6-6 senior Zach Maxwell and senior guard Damian McCloskey to graduation. They do return seniors Shaun Sanders and Nick Haynes.

Ringgold

A stretch of nine losses in 11 games prevented the Rams from reaching the WPIAL playoffs, but a season spent overcoming inexperience should produce wins in Phil Pergola’s third season as head coach.

Junior forward George Martin returns after averaging a team-high 13 points per game. He will be joined by Dakota Browning and Anthony Pampena. Trevor Colluci and Octavius Vasser are among the Rams’ players to watch.

The Rams have not made the postseason since 2011 and must overcome a tough Section 4-AAA schedule that includes West Mifflin, Uniontown and Steel Valley.