Wash High’s Faust has youngest team
The powers of youthful enthusiasm will be put to the test at the Washington High School gymnasium this winter. That’s because veteran Prexies boys basketball coach Ron Faust has his youngest team ever and those players will be trying to adapt to varsity-level competition in a hurry.
Of the 18 players in the Prexies’ program, only two are seniors. Nine are freshmen. Only one of the seniors has varsity experience.
“Without a doubt, this is my youngest team,” Faust said on the eve of Washington’s season opener tonight at home against Greensburg Central Catholic (0-2).
Faust has plenty of concerns about his team, chief among them is getting the young players up to speed and adjusted to playing significant roles on the varsity. Many of them were reserves last season or in the junior varsity and junior high programs.
There also are questions about depth and offense.
To make matters worse, the Prexies went through much of preseason practice without two key players, junior forward Isaiah Walton and sophomore guard Zahmere Robinson, who were members of the Prexies’ football team that advanced to the state semifinals.
Wash High had to cancel a scrimmage against Monessen and its only outside competition so far has been a tri-scrimmage with Our Lady of Sacred Heart and Eden Christian.
Faust admits he’s not sure exactly what to expect from his young team.
“I don’t know, to be honest,” he said. “Of the players we have back, no one averaged more than two points per game last season. I don’t know who will step up and take the lead.”
One player who might fill that role is senior guard Jordan Swart. He’s the only senior who saw significant playing time last season, when the Prexies went 22-6 and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and state quarterfinals.
Gone from that team are a slew of players, including Matt Popeck, who is the all-time leading scorer for Washington’s storied program and is the only two-time Observer-Reporter Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Popeck, who averaged 25.3 points per game last season, is now at Waynesburg University.
Also gone are Isaiah Robinson, who was a second team all-district player, and several others who will not be playing basketball after competing in the football season.
Swart will be in the starting lineup tonight along with Robinson, Walton, junior forward Tristen Wood and sophomore guard Joe Mercer. Dan Ethridge, a 6-4 junior forward who showed promise last season, will not be available tonight.
“At this point, we have seven or eight guys who we can put in a varsity game,” Faust said. “Our philosophy was going to be press and change defenses, but that’s hard to do when you don’t have much depth.”
It wasn’t too long ago that a young team like Wash High could take the nonsection portion of the schedule, which lasted as long as a month, and develop chemistry and an identity before league competition began. That’s no longer an option.
Washington begins play in what should be an improved Section 4-AAA Friday at home against Brownsville. Between tonight and the section opener, Wash High plays Wednesday at Seton-La Salle.
“My biggest concern,” Faust said, “is that we get so far behind and not have a chance to win the section. Seeding is important in the playoffs.”
Faust knows that his inexperienced team might be challenged on offense, so getting easy baskets in transition and off offensive rebounds and steals will be important.
“We better play good defense,” he said.
“What really helps is last season these kids played against good people in practice. That kind of competition is really important. This year, though, they’ll be playing in practice against freshmen.”