Jan 4, 2015 4 min read

Burgettstown sophomore Cole LaRocka used a quick first step and a knack for finding open shots to quickly make the Blue Devils a dangerous foe in WPIAL basketball.

LaRocka could take over a game on both ends of the court by mixing his speed and a technical understanding of the game. He set the Blue Devils’ single-season scoring record for a freshman with 277 points, averaging 12.7 per game. With the guard returning this season, many expected Burgettstown to take a gigantic leap forward.

That came crashing to a halt in the season-opener Dec. 5 against Canon-McMillan. LaRocka charged up the court in the third quarter, splitting two defenders and planting his left leg to go up for a routine layup. When LaRocka landed, the 5-11 guard grabbed his left knee and collapsed.

He tore the ACL and meniscus in the knee, ending his season in a matter of seconds. Burgettstown’s hopes of reaching the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2011 also took a hit.

LaRocka underwent surgery to repair the knee and will be out for six to nine months. Instead of wallowing in the doubt surrounding the loss of a leader, the Blue Devils have rallied, already matching their win total from last season with a 5-6 record.

“We always talk about just working hard and dealing with adversity in basketball and in life,” Burgettstown head coach Rich Tranquill said. “The players have dealt with a lot of adversity this year. It’s kind of a cliché as far as the next man up, but they have done phenomenal.”

Though losing LaRocka’s scoring has been blow to Burgettstown, a group of upperclassmen has helped fill the void. Senior guards Hunter Lecker and Dylan Dhans have paced the Blue Devils on both ends of the court. The two combined for 37 points in a win over Avella Dec. 29.

Senior Jeremy John, a 6-2 forward, did not play a game until Saturday because of an ankle injury suffered in the second preseason scrimmage. Senior point guard Logan Triebsch, the Blue Devils’ leading scorer, has missed the past five games with an ankle injury.

The presence of junior Bailey Soplinski, sophomore Brad McLaughlin and junior Jacob Shipley has provided a mix of depth and athleticism.

“Obviously, losing somebody like Cole, he’s a great player who is wise beyond his years as far as basketball goes. As far as our mentality as an offense, we don’t expect anyone to put up 20, 30 or 40 points,” Tranquill said. “We look for team scoring and we want to be as dynamic as possible.”

With Section 3-AA games against Seton-LaSalle, Bishop Canevin and Washington over the next 10 days, the Blue Devils must continue to improve to reach the WPIAL playoffs. Despite the loss of LaRocka and other key players, Tranquill and his team are not about to use injuries as an excuse.

“Staying together as a team and continuing to work together will be important,” Tranquill said. “We have to keep battling the adversity. We’ll never make an excuse for anything we do. Win, lose or draw, we’ll continue to move forward.

Pennsylvania Football News announced its all-state selections for 2014 and several local players made the cut.

Ringgold was mistakenly included in Class AAAA and Rams quarterback Nico Law made second team offense at the athlete position. Law was joined on the second team by Canon-McMillan senior offensive lineman Alex Paulina, a Pitt recruit.

In Class AA, South Fayette senior quarterback Brett Brumbaugh was named Offensive Player of the Year and Lions head coach Joe Rossi was the Coach of the Year. Lions junior running back Hunter Hayes joined Brumbaugh on the first team offense, senior tight end Logan Sharp made second team offense, junior wide receiver Nick Ponikvar made second team offense and senior JJ Walker made second team defense.

Washington High School senior Malik Wells received honorable mention offense in Class AA.

In Class A, Chartiers-Houston junior kicker Michael Cushma received honorable mention.

Baseball talent from six WPIAL high schools will again be on display at Consol Energy Park this spring. After last year’s event was a success, the Washington Wild Things will host a showcase featuring six baseball teams.

The tripleheader is set for April 11 with Chartiers-Houston facing Fort Cherry at noon, California playing Brownsville at 3 p.m. and Peters Township meeting Trinity at 6 p.m.