Jun 18, 2019 2 min read

Devin Whitlock’s freshman year at Monessen High School was quite a success.

An all-conference football player and all-section guard in basketball, Whitlock led the Greyhounds to the postseason in both sports.

After transferring to Belle Vernon in early May, a sophomore season for Whitlock in either sport might not happen.

The WPIAL ruled Whitlock ineligible for the upcoming year, a decision based solely on transfer paperwork. The board also denied the eligibility twin brothers Giani and Nikko Martini, wrestlers who transferred from Trinity to Canon-McMillan.

Monessen reportedly did not approve the Whitlock transfer, according to the paperwork filed. The ruling would prevent Whitlock from playing football or basketball for Belle Vernon until his junior year.

In football, Whitlock had 2,166 total yards and 22 total touchdowns to lead Monessen to a three-way tie for the Tri-County South Conference title. He had 27 catches for 504 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver. He carried the ball 81 times for 685 yards and scored another eight touchdowns. Injuries to the Greyhounds forced Whitlock to play uuarterback, where he also excelled at by completing 37 of 50 passes for 674 yards and eight touchdowns.

In basketball, the 5-8 guard averaged nearly 20 points per game as Monessen advanced to both the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals.

Whitlock can appeal the ruling.

The Martini twins could possibly lose out on their junior seasons. Giani Martini was 31-12 with 14 pins as a sophomore for Trinity while Nikko went 12-9 and recorded nine falls. Giani Martini had a 28-9 record as a freshman.