As the winter sports season is approaching, the boy’s basketball team is preparing for another historic season. They are returning key players from their success last year and a head coach who is constantly striving to make his team more successful. They were the District 6 Class 2A champions to top off last season and made it to the first round of state playoffs before losing to Serra Catholic. They are hoping to get back to where they ended the 2023-2024 season and have been preparing all summer playing in the State College league and through open gyms.
As the reigning District 6 Class 2A champions from the 2023-2024 season, the team is returning four of their starters: Lukas Colton, Joel Evans, Owen Koleno, and Dylan McGonigal. They lost Issac Tiracorda, Logan Kolp, Noah Emigh, and Zach McGonigal due to graduation who all played important roles in the successful team they showed to be last season.
The Warriors still look to be hot with the returning seniors, Logan Liptak, Owen Koleno, Joel Evans, Lukas Colton, and Craig Fluck. The dominant group of seniors is followed by juniors, Coby Kephart, Dylan McGonigal, Easton Emigh, Evan Emigh, Deondrea Horsey, and Noah Gay. A great group of sophomores contains Max Gibson, Conner Danko, Frankie Leskovansky, Hansen Lannen, Hillman Torretti, and Caleb Hudson. None of the freshmen are said to be moving up and will be continuing another year of the junior high team, coached by Parker Emigh.
Some open spots could be earned due to the seniors graduating in the class of 2024, some players will have to step up to compete for the positions. Coby Kephart, Logan Liptak, and Easton Emigh saw a lot of court time in the last season. They can make an even bigger impact this upcoming season if they continue to work for a starting spot or be a sixth man. Head Coach, Danny Clark spoke about his and the team’s goals for the upcoming season. “Our goals are usually always the same. We are expecting another big season. We got 4 starters back from a 24-win team last season. We are hopeful to have a similar season as we did last season, but we got to keep playing as a team and success will follow.”
Senior forward, Owen Koleno had great things to say about the work that has been put in this offseason stating “Everyone is really excited for this season. Coming off of a district title there is just a different buzz and feeling this year. We have had some really good open gyms so far and everyone is putting in the work. Craig came back out this year and is bringing a lot of energy and hustle so far. It’s nice to have those types of teammates.” On Sunday, November 3rd they hosted their tenth annual shootout with Bald Eagle, Moshannon Valley, Harmony, Philipsburg Osceola, Huntingdon, Johnsonburg, Southern Huntingdon, Dubois Central Catholic, Tyrone, and Portage. They went 3-0 winning against Bald Eagle, Tyrone, and Portage.
The Warrior’s first game to start the season is December 4th at home against the Penns Valley Rams.
