2017-18 District 9 boys’ basketball preview capsules.
A-C VALLEY
Head Coach: Andy Rapp
2016-17 Record: 6-15, 2-8 KSAC South (5th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Russ Carr (7.5 ppg), Jeff Ginn (6.0 ppg), Falton Callander (5.7 ppg), Eddie Stevanus (5.3 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Play great defense and make a high percentage of shots.
AUSTIN
Head Coach: Rich Glover
2016-17 Record: 2-20, 2-14 NTL (Tied for 8th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Mason Valenti (9.4 ppg), Blake Burgett (8.1 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Unifying this young group of boys (no seniors) playing aggressively and capitalizing on the speed and height we have this year.
BRADFORD
Head Coach: Brian Hobbs
2016-17 Record: 8-14, 3-7 D9 League (Tied for 5th place(
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Clearfield, 59-35, in D9 4A Semifinals
Top Returning Players: Tyler Gigliotti (10.1 ppg), Deondre Terwilliger (7.9 ppg), Adam Boyer (7.2 ppg), Danny Manion (4.5 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Need to mesh well with the addition of some new upperclassmen and playing a little more up tempo than in the past.
BROCKWAY
Head Coach: Rick Clark
2016-17 Record: 16-11, 6-4 AML South (2nd place; Lost to ECC, 60-52, in AML Semifinals)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Keystone, 46-28, in D9 2A Quarterfinals; Beat Ridgway, 50-37, in D9 2A Semifinals; Lost to Coudersport, 67-61, in D9 2A Championship Game; Lost to Bishop Canevin, 74-38, in PIAA 2A First Round
Top Returning Players: Carter Adams (9.9 ppg; 513 career points), Zane Puhala (5.8 ppg), Noah Vokes (0.9 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Being able to control the tempo; Limiting turnovers to maximize possessions; Ability to rebound and hold teams to one shot
BROOKVILLE
Head Coach: Dalton Park (1st season)
2016-17 Record: 12-12, 3-7 D9 League (Tied for 5th)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Kane, 48-42, in D9 3A Semifinals; Lost to Karns City, 56-51, in D9 3A Championship Game
Top Returning Players: Bryan Dworek (9.6 ppg), Aaron Park (9.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.4 spg; District 9 Rookie of the Year)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Need to play strong help and recover defense every game for four quarters; Limit second shots
CAMERON COUNTY
Head Coach: Mark Guido
2016-17 Record: 15-8, 13-3 NTL (2nd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Johnsonburg, 52-44, in D9 1A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Adam Shaffer (12.6 ppg), Jake Walters (7.8 ppg), Marcus Brown (7.3 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Getting solid play from our returning starters and contributions from the remaining six. We only have nine players on varsity, but all could get minutes.
CLARION
Head Coach: Jess Quinn
2016-17 Record: 16-7 overall, 9-1 KSAC North (Tied for 1st; Lost tiebreaker to C-L)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to C-L, 64-45, in D9 2A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Cam Craig (13.8 ppg; 670 career points), Austin Hummell (7.2 ppg), Zak Bauer (2.4 ppg) – Note Spencer Miller (6.9 ppg) elected not to play this season.
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Keys to the season are our ability to run the floor for four straight quarters and our younger players gaining time and confidence.
CLARION-LIMESTONE
Head Coach: Joe Ferguson
2016-17 Record: 18-8, 9-1 KSAC North (Tied for 1st; won tiebreaker over Clarion; Lost to Keystone, 55-42 in KSAC Title Game)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Clarion, 64-45, in D9 2A Quarterfinals; Lost to Coudersport, 69-57, in D9 2A Semifinals; Lost to Ridgway, 65-62, in D9 2A Consolation Game
Top Returning Players: Ian Callen (11.6 ppg; 569 points), Deion Deas (10.2 ppg), Christian Smith (9.9 ppg), Julian Laugand (4.3 ppg).
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Team defense and rebounding; Team unity.
CLEARFIELD
Head Coach: Nate Glunt
2016-17 Record: 23-2, 13-1 Mountain League (1st place; D9 4A Champions)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Bradford, 59-35, in D9 4A Semifinals; Beat Punxsutawney, 59-45, in D9 4A title game to win third straight D9 title; Lost to McGuffey, 48-46, in first round of PIAA Class 4A playoffs
Top Returning Players: Reese Wilson (3.2 ppg), Jon Gates (3.2 ppg), Ryan Chew (1.5 ppg), Wyatt Porter (1.1 ppg), Taye Lunch (0.8 ppg), Keegan Hess (0.6 ppg), Cade Walker (0.6 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Take care of the basketball on offense; Play team defense; Rebound.
COUDERSPORT
Head Coach: Brian Furman
2016-17 Record: 25-1, 16-0 NTL (1st place; D9 2A Champions)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat C-L, 69-57, in D9 2A Semifinals; Beat Brockway, 67-61, in D9 2A Championship game; Beat United, 80-45, in PIAA 2A First Round; Lost to Greensburg Central Catholic, 72-63, in PIAA 2A Second Round.
Top Returning Players: Jared Green (16.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg; 1st team All-District; 3rd team All-State Class 2A; 1,074 career points), Owen Chambers (16.5 ppg; 2nd team All-District; 770 career points), Derek Keglovits (7.4 ppg), Hunter Ricke (3.5 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: The key to the season will be filling the roles left by players that we lost to graduation. We must defend, rebound, limit turnovers and understand shot selection.
CRANBERRY
Head Coach: Patrick Irwin
2016-17 Record: 6-16, 4-6 KSAC North (4th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Dan McQuaide (9.7 ppg), Matt Meehan (1.8 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: The keys to success are the execution of fundamentals and the development of the underclassmen.
CURWENSVILLE
Head Coach: Matt Wassil
2016-17 Record: 6-16, 2-8 AML South (3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Devon Barrett (10.8 ppg), Josh Terry (9.8 ppg), Christian Bakaysa (8.1 ppg), Avery Francisco (5.9 ppg), Noah VonGunden (4.5 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Play more consistently; Use our athleticism; Lean on our senior leadership.
DUBOIS
Head Coach: Scott Creighton
2016-17 Record: 10-13, 4-6 D9 League (Tied for 3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Hollidaysburg, 84-51, in D6-9 Class 5A Semifinals
Top Returning Players: Kenny Garvey (10.8 ppg), Alex Beers (6.7 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: We will need to speed up the growth and development of several young, inexperienced players.
DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Head Coach: Dom Varacallo
2016-17 Record: 4-18, 1-9 AML South (4th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Justin Miknis (12.3 ppg), Thomas Grecco (6.4 ppg), Brandon Walker (3.8 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Depth. We have many guys that can contribute at the varsity level. We are still young compared to many team in the area with only one true senior (Grecco) but the varsity experience many of our players had as freshmen and sophomores last year has prepared us to take a step forward this year. The freshmen and sophomores meshing with the junior class and the leadership of Grecco are also going to be vital to our success this season.
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC
Head Coach: Aaron Straub
2016-17 Record: 28-1, 10-0 D9 League (1st place), 10-0 AML North (1st place; Won AML Title by beating Brockway, 60-52, in AML Semifinals and Ridgway, 59-44, in AML Title Game)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat North Clarion, 58-29, in D9 1A Semifinals; Beat Johnsonburg, 62-44, in D9 1A Championship Game; Beat Eden Christian, 52-41, in PIAA 1A First Round; Beat Williamsburg, 76-48, in PIAA 1A Second Round; Lost to Kennedy Catholic, 61-40, in PIAA 1A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Ryan Newton (10.7 ppg), Logan Hoffman (5.0 ppg), Joe Aiello (1.3 ppg), Erick Mader (0.4 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Overcome lack of experience quickly and be a team of quick learners; find scoring; stay healthy and injury free; need our best players to be our best players, play as a team; our margin of error will be small so we need to cut down on turnovers and make our free throws; create offense from our defense and create offense from our transition; play bigger than we are
FOREST AREA
Head Coach: Dan Miller (1st season)
2016-17 Record: 2-19, 0-10 KSAC North (6th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Seth Berlin (18.3 ppg), Dillon DiCorpo (6.2 ppg)m Randy Moyer (2.2 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: I believe we have to be a faster offense. We don’t have a lot of height, so speed is a key. We are also focusing on higher percentage shots. Another goal is to play tougher help defense and also limiting second-shot opportunities.
JOHNSONBURG
Head Coach: Bill Thorwart
2016-17 Record: 13-14, 5-5 AML North (3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Cameron County, 52-44, in D9 1A Quarterfinals; Beat Otto-Eldred, 51-50, in D9 1A Semifinals; Lost to ECC, 62-44, in D9 1A Championship Game; Beat Jamestown, 49-39, in PIAA 1A First Round; Lost to Saltsburg, 85-38, in PIAA 1A Second Round.
Top Returning Players: Kacey Raubenstrauch (7.3 ppg), Tyler Singer (6.1 ppg), Dillen Surra (4.2 ppg), Austin Green (3.6 ppg), Trevor Lobaugh (3.0 ppg), Ben Freeburg (2.1 ppg).
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: We are fast and athletic and have a little bit of height and we can jump pretty well; We need our younger kids on the same page with the seniors and that will take some actual game situations; We need to build on our chemistry.
KANE
Head Coach: Matt Gasbarre
2016-17 Record: 16-8, 6-4 (2nd place AML North; Lost in AML Semifinals to Ridgway, 59-41)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Brookville in D9 3A Semifinals, 48-42
Top Returning Players: Chad Greville (10.5 ppg), Reed Williams (6 points in 19 games), Ange Costanzo (1.7 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Establishing a defensive presence; Playing our tempo; Young players improving and learning every day.
KARNS CITY
Head Coach: Chris Bellis (2017 District 9 Coach of the Year)
2016-17 Record: 17-8, 7-3 KSAC North (3rd place; Won D9 Class 3A Title)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Moniteau, 56-45, in D9 3A Semifinals; Beat Brookville, 56-51, in D9 3A Championship Game; Lost to Erie First Christian, 57-48, in PIAA Class 3A First Round
Top Returning Players: Jacob Friel (6.0 ppg), Nolan Riley (1.4 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Developing team chemistry and staying focused on team defense and rebounding to offset our lack of experience (only two returning varsity players from 2017)
KEYSTONE
Head Coach: Greg Heath
2016-17 Record: 19-5, 9-1 KSAC South (1st place; Beat C-L, 55-42, in KSAC Title Game)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Brockway, 46-28, in D9 2A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Core Rapp (9.2 ppg), Nate Wingard (9.1 ppg), Dalton Jones (7.0 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Need to replace the graduated Austin Ion (14.3 ppg, 3rd Team All-District) and Tanner Wilson (8.0 ppg). Also need to create chemistry with the new starters and role players and getting players to accept their roles.
MONITEAU
Head Coach: Jerry Day
2016-17 Record: 14-9, 8-2 KSAC South (2nd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Karns City, 56-45, in D9 3A Semifinals
Top Returning Players: Ross Tenney (3.2 ppg; Lone senior on the team), Ethan McDeavitt (4.5 ppg). Note – Jake Jewart was expected to play a key role too after averaging 7.7 ppg last year but was lost to a season-ending injury a couple of weeks ago.
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: The key will be how long will it take our younger players to gel and get the experience needed to compete at the varsity level.
NORTH CLARION
Head Coach: Andy Bish
2016-17 Record: 14-12, 6-4 KSAC North (3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Port Allegany, 65-48, in D9 1A Quarterfinals; Lost to ECC, 58-29, in D9 Semifinals; Lost to Otto-Eldred, 52-51 in D9 Consolation Game; Lost to Monessen, 94-28, in PIAA First Round.
Top Returning Players: Nathan Banner (14.8 ppg), Sam Minich (7.3 ppg), Keeven Weaver (7.3 ppg), Zander Hargenrader (6.8 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Limiting turnovers; Playing solid team defense; Getting off to a fast start; Playing together as a team.
NORTHERN POTTER
Head Coach: Derek Erway (1st season)
2016-17 Record: 3-19, 2-14 NTL (Tied for 8th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Holden Cowburn (4.0 ppg), Brandon Buck (2.0 ppg), Tristian Byron (1.4 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Limit turnovers; Defensively hold on our own; New guys getting use to the system.
OSWAYO VALLEY
Head Coach: Clark Cummings
2016-17 Record: 12-11, 8-8 NTL (5th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Otto-Eldred, 59-58, in D9 1A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Theo Henry (16.0 ppg), Gavin Babcock (10.5 ppg), Garren Black (4.9 ppg), Jacob Karr (4.0 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: We will be looking for everyone to step up as the loss of Garrett Babcock (11.1 ppg) to graduation will be difficult to fill. We have very little height, so we will need to be committed to rebounding and boxing out.
OTTO-ELDRED
Head Coach: Dan Dalton
2016-17 Record: 15-11, 12-4 NTL (3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat Oswayo Valley, 59-58, in D9 1A Quarterfinals; Lost to Johnsonburg, 51-50, in D9 1A Semifinals; Beat North Clarion, 52-51, in D9 1A Consolation Game; Lost to Kennedy Catholic, 87-35, in PIAA 1A First Round
Top Returning Players: Dylan Close (10.0 ppg), Sawyer Drummond (6.8 ppg), Trey Dalton (5.4 ppg), Jordan Sherwood (5.3 ppg), Nick York (1.3 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: I think, after having some success last year by making the first round of the state playoffs, we still have to get on the winning side of close games. We lost five games last year by a total of 11 points. We have to use our size and experience to control the boards and we need some younger kids to step up in other positions.
PORT ALLEGANY
Head Coach: Jeff Stuckey
2016-17 Record: 12-11, 9-6 NTL (4th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to North Clarion, 65-48, in D9 1A Quarterfinals
Top Returning Players: Howie Stuckey (14.5 ppg), David Talkington (9.1 ppg), Tyler Lashway (2.4 ppg), Jordan Card (1.7 ppg), AJ Edgell (12 games, 0 points)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Once again, we lack in size but we have speed. We will live and die by the three this year. We need to use screens and our quickness to get as many shots off as we can.
PUNXSUTAWNEY
Head Coach: Dirk Neal
2016-17 Record: 15-9, 6-4 D9 League (2nd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Beat St. Marys, 77-57, in D9 4A Semifinals; Lost, 59-45, to Clearfield in D9 4A Championship Game
Top Returning Players: Brandon Matthews (12.9 ppg), Ethan Blose (6.0 ppg), Tyler Richardson (3.4 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Developing our younger players so they can contribute.
REDBANK VALLEY
Head Coach: Emmanuel Marshall III
2016-17 Record: 3-19, 1-9 KSAC South (6th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Nick Smith (7.6 ppg), Brock Barrett (7.4 ppg), Keaton Kahle (7.0 ppg; Will miss a few games at the start of the season because of a football injury), Tanner Kerle (2.8 ppg; Will miss a few games at the start of the season because of a football injury), Ethan Hetrick (2.6 ppg), Logan Wadding (2.5 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: We have to play together and build team chemistry. We also need to take care of the ball and make good basketball decisions.
RIDGWAY
Head Coach:
2016-17 Record:
2016-17 Playoffs:
Top Returning Players: Neil MacDonald (11.1 ppg; Third-team All-District), Andy Breier (9.7 ppg), Johnny Mitchell (8.5 ppg before leaving the team after 8 games), Josh Thorwart (4.3 ppg), Daunte Allegretto (3.4 ppg), Aaron Hinton (6 points in 28 games), Chris Wickett (11 points in 17 games)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Getting better each day and each game; Balanced scoring; Defense; Playing Ridgway basketball.
ST. MARYS
Head Coach: Shad Boschert
2016-17 Record: 13-10, 4-6 D9 League (Tied for 3rd place)
2016-17 Playoffs: Lost to Punxsutawney, 77-57, in D9 4A Semifinals
Top Returning Players: Nathan Schneider (14.2 ppg), Jackson Lindemuth (4.0 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Have a balanced offensive attack; Rebounding the basketball.
SHEFFIELD
Head Coach: Mike Knapp
2016-17 Record: 7-15, 1-9 AML North (4th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Cale Albaugh (8.0 ppg), Matt Dunham (4.5 ppg), Luke Davidson (0.7 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Gaining experience with our younger players and leadership from our veterans. We are going to try to increase our basketball IQ and skill set.
SMETHPORT
Head Coach: Jay Acker
2016-17 Record: 5-17, 4-12 NTL (7th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Caleb Lutz (8.3 ppg), Eric Szarowicz (5.8 ppg), Brayden Southard (4.9 ppg), Ian Woodruff (3.8 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: The keys are to continue our defensive pressure and improve on our offensive efficiency.
UNION
Head Coach: Eric Mortimer
2016-17 Record: 8-14, 3-7 KSAC South (4th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Lucas Bowser (19.1 ppg; 2nd Team All-District 9; 1,013 career points), Hunter Johnston 5.0 ppg), Nolan Cumberland (2.0 ppg), Reice Saylor (1.8 ppg), Luke Bowser (1.6 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Play better defense and gel as a team as we are very young.
VENANGO CATHOLIC
Head Coach: Mike McNellie
2016-17 Record: 5-17, 2-9 KSAC North (5th place)
2016-17 Playoffs: None
Top Returning Players: Josh Puleo (10.3 ppg), Ben Gillispie (3.3 ppg)
Coach’s Key(s) to Season: Having trust in one another on both sides of the floor
