Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Darton McIntire
School: Waynesburg
Year: Sophomore
Sport: Basketball
McIntire’s week: The Raiders’ point guard came close to shifting the balance of power in Section 4-AA, scoring a school-record 47 points against Brownsville, but lost 95-92 in overtime. Three days earlier, the 6-0, first-year starter had 26 points in a win over West Greene.
His 47 points against the Falcons broke Jeremy Smith’s record of 43 points, which was set in 1996.
“It was exhilarating,” McIntire said. “I didn’t even know how many I scored. I was just focused on the win for my teammates. That was a big game for us. We just want to raise the banner this year for the section title, so during the game I wasn’t thinking about how much I was scoring.”
Filling the void: There wasn’t a shortage of change for Waynesburg’s program following last season. After the Raiders reached the WPIAL playoffs, head coach Dave Sarra stepped away and four starters graduated, including one of the area’s top scorers, Dom Sarra.
New head coach Kirk King had to find a way to replace 85 percent of the offense. Little did he know, a talented young point guard would move into the district from Morgantown, W.Va. McIntire joined a team that already featured junior center Mitch Warman.
“The first two scrimmages really opened my eyes that he was the complete package as a player,” King said. “Besides his leadership, he has an excellent jump shot, he handles the ball well. He is a very natural point guard. He has that on court presence as a point guard. As a coach, that’s the thing you’re looking for. If you can have a point guard that’s an extension of you on the floor, it helps so much.”
McIntire didn’t know what to expect when he joined the Raiders. Being a point guard requires chemistry with teammates. He wants to win a section title and having teammates such as Warman, who has developed a reputation as a workhorse in the lane, has helped jumpstart Waynesburg in King’s first season as coach.
McIntire is averaging 24.8 points per game for the Raiders (1-1, 3-3), who are averaging 67.7 points per game.
“I’ve never gelled with people as fast as I did here,” McIntire said. “It feels like I’ve been playing with these boys for years and it looks that way on the court, too. I’m pretty proud of them.”
Thinking big: The overtime loss happened in front of a packed gymnasium at Waynesburg. The Raiders’ 92 points raised eyebrows and expectations around the WPIAL, but it wasn’t enough for the players.
Even before they took Brownsville, which is one of the most highly regarded teams in Class AA, to the final possession, Waynesburg expected a section title and that hasn’t changed.
“I was disappointed that we didn’t come out with the win, but I liked the way we played against a team like Brownsville, who we knew was one of the best teams in the section,” McIntire said. “At the end, I wasn’t satisfied with losing, but I knew every single player on the court gave everything they had.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski