Experience key for Prexies this year
Wash High’s Markel Pulliam is one of four returning players for the Prexies.
Cam Hanley is a 1,000-point scorer for Chartiers-Houston, which is undefeated in Section 2-AA. The Bucs play Fort Cherry tonight in a battle for first place.
A new season offers a fresh start; an opportunity for teams to forget about past performances and focus on what’s ahead.
Some games and some moments aren’t easy to forget, and there is one in particular that Washington head coach Ron Faust wants to resonate with the Prexies for quite some time.
Neshannock made a buzzer-beating three-pointer to upset Wash High, 71-69, in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs last February, effectively ending a season that became promising in Faust’s first year back with the program.
“The biggest challenge is ourselves,” Faust said. “We have to overcome situations in games like that. When we do, we’ll understand that we can be a pretty good basketball. I think we let one get away there and we can’t let that leave our memory.”
The Prexies will face adversity early. They open the season against Latrobe – one of the top teams in Class AAAA – tonight at Canon-McMillan’s Brian Anselmino Memorial Tip-off Tournament at 6:30 p.m., and have non-section games against the Big Macs, Avonworth, Pine-Richland and Steel Valley.
Reacting in moments of adversity, such as the playoff game against Neshannock, is what Faust believes will be critical for the program. The schedule looks daunting, but he has four experienced players to run his motion offense.
After missing four games to start last season, junior guard Matt Popeck averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 54 percent from the field. Senior forward Nate Swart, a Toledo recruit in football, led the Prexies in points scored, averaging 13 points per game with almost seven rebounds.
Senior forward Anthony Popeck and senior guard Markel Pulliam also return. The group raises few question marks, but the rest of the roster could make the difference between an early playoff exit and a deep playoff run.
Like most coaches this time of the year, Faust is searching for depth. The Prexies do have speed and numbers on their side, and the longtime Wash High coach pointed to sophomore Jordan Swart as a possible standout this season.
Isaiah Robinson, Tariq Wilson, Lyle Webb, Isaiah Perry and Terry Foster could also contribute.
“Our season is probably going to depend on those people who are coming off the bench,” Faust, who has 535 wins, said. “We know what we have with (key returners such as Matt Popeck and Nate Swart), but we’re a little unsure with what is going to happen with our backups,” Faust said. “I’m curious to see what they’re going to do under fire.”
Faust’s first season back at Wash High wasn’t always smooth. His players were learning a new system and weren’t accustomed to his defensive-minded approach. In their first loss to Seton-La Salle, the Prexies allowed 73 points and allowed 65 or more points five times during a 4-6 start to the season.
They won 11 of their final 12 regular season games, allowing just over 50 points per game during that span and defeated the Rebels, who won the section title, 66-65.
The growth and comfortability under Faust was palpable and with an eye on a PIAA playoff berth, he hopes that makes the difference.
“Last season was a little rough just trying to acclimate to them and more so them acclimating to me,” Faust said. “Things are going better and smoother. Terminology is understood now. They know the drills and what we’re trying to accomplish. We just have to go out and accomplish it now.”
Chartiers-Houston
Opponents may have seen the Bucs’ losses from their 2014 playoff run, including two players 6-4 or taller, and thought a smaller lineup meant trouble in a section that featured dominant post players.
That wouldn’t give their guard play enough credit. Alec Ferrari developed into one of the best point guards in the WPIAL, crossing opponents off balance before sinking a jump shot or driving to the rim with no fear.
The senior was named the Observer-Reporter player of the year after averaging 23.6 points per game, but he’s graduated and has moved on to Mount Union. C-H can lean on another top scorer. Junior guard AJ Myers averaged 17.7 points per game last season with a picturesque shot and an ability to take over a game at any time.
Other key returners include Spencer Terling and Cam Hanley, a promising sophomore guard.
“He’s capable of 25 points a game; he’s that good,” Chariters-Houston head coach Eugene Briggs said of Myers. “His ability to get to the rim in the open floor is tremendous. He’s just about unguardable in the open floor. Everything else plays off of that. Our other guys will play off him well.”
Bentworth
The Bearcats’ playoff drought continued after a 6-16 overall record and seven consecutive losses to end the season.
Bentworth lost three starters, including leading scorer Angelo Rios-Lopez, but Nick Silver, Levi Jordan, Jacob Davis and Sam Schoedel return.
Beth-Center
The Bulldogs went just 4-8 in Section 4-AA play a year ago, but three of those losses were by single digits. Five seniors graduated, but Bradey McDonnell, a senior guard, is back after averaging 11.5 points per game last season.
Burgettstown
The Blue Devils lost four starters from last season, including three double-digit scorers, and only have four lettermen returning.
Burgettstown missed the postseason after losing four consecutive games to end the regular season while allowing 61.8 points per game.
Carmichaels
The Mikes’ first season back in Class AA was a struggle as they finished with a 1-11 record in Section 4-AA, but head coach Don Williams, who enters his 41st season as head coach, has plenty of talent returning.
Cody Allen, Liam Shea, Nick Mundell and Cody Brown are back.
Charleroi
The Cougars’ season ended with a 36-point loss to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in a preliminary round playoff game. They have a strong foundation this season in the form of 6-8 center John Arnold, who averaged 13.8 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Fort Cherry
The Rangers are just 12-34 over the past two seasons, but injuries and inexperience played a part in the struggles.
Rob McAnany is back after averaging 12 points per game and junior forward Devon Brown started every game last season, averaging 12 points and nine rebounds a game.
Waynesburg
The Raiders surprised many by qualifying for the playoffs, but they were one of the more consistent teams in the area last season, finishing 9-3 in section play.
Dom Sarra is gone after he averaged 17.7 points and eight rebounds per game, but Waynesburg, which will be led by first-year head coach Kirk King, will lean on junior forward Mitch Warman.