Monessen, Mapletown give Herpak special night
For a high school basketball team, a 12-game losing streak and a roster of only six players, including just three with playing experience, does not offer many feel-good moments for coaches, players or community members.
The scores are often lopsided and frustration is inevitable. Those are the challenges at a small school like Mapletown.
Two players left the team last Monday, but when times are tough, first-year head coach Rick Hill’s first and only player coming off the bench is always there with a quick joke, often bringing a smile to everyone’s face despite the chaos surrounding the team.
Austin Herpak is an 18-year-old student at Mapletown, and like his five teammates, is working tirelessly and is never deterred. Moments like last Friday night, when Herpak raised his arms in excitement after a teammate’s three-pointer, remind Hill of what high school basketball is about and why there’s a sense of hope among his players.
Herpak is autistic.
Hill said his sixth-man’s challenges haven’t stopped Herpak from contributing for Mapletown – with and without the help of his teammates or opponents.
Last Friday was much like Mapletown’s previous 11 games. Its opponent jumped out to a large lead and the night ended with a loss. But that night, when the Maples hosted one of the top teams in the state, was different.
Before Mapletown faced Monessen in a Section 3-A game, Maples football coach George Messich called Greyhounds basketball coach Joe Salvino to tell him about Herpak and the teenager’s perseverance.
Salvino wanted to make the night special for Herpak and the Southeastern Greene School District.
Monessen led 45-0 after the first quarter and it got worse in the second before Herpak checked into the game. After the Maples were called for traveling on one possession midway through the quarter, Monessen junior guard Justice Rice slowly dribbled the ball up the court and to the top of the key.
He saw Herpak standing three feet behind the free throw line and passed the ball to him. Surprised to grab a ball on defense, Herpak quickly dribbled up the court – switching from his left hand to his right while looking down to concentrate – and the Greyhounds’ starters watched as he approached the basket.
Herpak’s first shot attempt bounced off the rim. He collected the rebound and his second shot went in. When he returned to the bench, he sat next to Mapletown assistant coach Ryan Wise, wrapped his arm around him and, as usual, added some levity to the situation.
“That’s one of those moments, when we look back on it when we get older, it’s humbling and it’s something we’ll be proud of,” Rice said. “Mapletown was able to see that we’re a good team, but we’re able to be classy, too.
“Being able to do something for a kid like that is special. It makes him feel good, it makes us feel good and it makes the community feel good.”
It didn’t stop there.
In the second half, Herpak collected a pass near three-point range in the right corner, his shot clanged off the rim and the rebound went back to him.
His second shot was the same result.
Monessen’s players watched Austin took two quick dribbles toward the basket and he threw a shot up with just his left hand from three feet. It went in. Mapletown’s players clapped as they ran up the court and Monessen senior forward Demond Jordan quickly patted Herpak on the back.
On one possession, he attempted four shots with each bouncing off the rim and players from both teams stood and watched. When he missed, Herpak didn’t flinch. He simply kept shooting.
When the fifth went in, again, Jordan made sure to pat Herpak on the back.
“A lot of people might not know about my players, but they are a great bunch of kids,” Salvino said. “They were very sympathetic of the situation and they wanted to help. It was humbling to me and my players.”
Monessen’s players handed Herpak rebounds and Mapletown’s players passed to their sixth man, often deferring despite having an open shot. Each time he scored, the crowd clapped in excitement and players from both teams congratulated him.
The game ended with Monessen winning 102-34, but Herpak had a team-high and career-high 12 points.
“I thought it was a nice gesture for a team like us,” Salvino said. “Hopefully, it made him happy. Sometimes the Monessen name gets a bad wrap from maybe all the bad publicity the city gets. Hopefully, this brings some good publicity.”
It wasn’t the first time an opponent helped Herpak leave the gymnasium beaming with excitement. Following last Wednesday’s loss, Bentworth awarded Herpak with a game ball for his four points.
During a difficult season, watching his sixth man’s dedication and excitement never gets old for Hill, who was standout player for California University under former Vulcans coach Jim Boone.
Herpak never misses a practice and serves as an example to his teammates that the only answer to adversity is being resolute.
“It was incredible to see his face and his enthusiasm; he’s hugging our players, their players,” Hill said. “He’s just happy to be there. For those kids – my kids and Monessen’s kids and the other teams who have helped him – just to be a part of that with everything that goes on with bullying, it’s a special moment in basketball, for him, for me and for everybody who sees that.”