NEW CASTLE —
The playoff drought is about to end for the Shenango High boys basketball team.
Wildcats coach Bob McQuiston is hoping this year’s team can rekindle the postseason tradition for the program after last appearing in 2009.
“The playoffs are always an exciting time,” McQuiston said. “The kids want to leave their mark on the program. When they were younger, they had guys to look up to.
“Now they are the ones that the younger kids look up to and want to be. We want to bring some pride back to the program. Guys have taken all of that to heart.”
Shenango will attempt to develop that postseason tradition a bit more at 3 p.m. tomorrow when it squares off against West Shamokin at North Allegheny in preliminary-round action. The Wildcats (14-8), winners of seven of their last nine games, are seeded No. 12,
“West Shamokin plays hard; they’re a scrappy team,” McQuiston said. “They get after it on defense and they have three guys that can really shoot it well.”
Anthony Rocco, a 6-foot junior guard/forward, leads the Wolves in scoring at 18.2 points a game.
“Rocco drives well and shoots well,” McQuiston said. “He looks like a solid player and a good athlete.”
Wolves coach Mike Nagy said Rocco should surpass the 1,000-point plateau sometime in the middle of next season.
McQuiston said West Shamokin (12-10) will pose a problem on the glass.
“They have guys that will crash the boards hard; they’re a physical team,” he said. “I think we match up pretty well with them. They look like they’re similar to us.”
West Shamokin is more of a deliberate attack on the offensive end, netting just 49.1 points a game. Shenango is tossing in 56.1 tallies a tilt.
“They will try to slow it down and get some fastbreaks when they need they to,” McQuiston said. “They’re similar to a pass and cut offense.”
Jordan O’Hara, Jeff Williams and Brett Chieze combine to pace the Shenango attack.
O’Hara, a 6-0 senior guard, leads the trio in scoring at 13.7 points a game (302 points). Williams, a 6-0 senior guard, is next at 12.9 markers a contest (285 points), while Chieze (6-0, senior, guard) contributes 12.8 points a game (283 points).
“They’ve got a very experienced team and their three guards do a great job handling the ball,” Nagy said. “What makes them doubly dangerous is they can shoot it and penetrate.
“They do a nice job distributing the ball. They’re not selfish and they are scrappy on defense.”
Nagy noted the trio all brings something special to the court.
“Chieze is the best shooter of the three,” Nagy said. “Williams is a little bit more of a penetrator. Some say he’s their best player; he’s really solid.
“O’Hara can do a lot of things, too.”
The Wildcats are giving up 50 points a game, right around the Wolves’ offensive average.
“Shenango plays primarily man and halfcourt man,” Nagy said. “They will extend if they have to and they will zone press.
“We don’t have the offensive weapons like them.”
Nagy feels his team will have to play a near flawless game to get the win.
“We’re going to have to play extremely well,” he said. “First of all, we can’t turn it over and we have to be patient.
“We have to work for what they’re giving us and we must contain their guards. I’m not too sure if others have been able to do that.”
Offensive production will be a focal point for Shenango if the team is to notch the first playoff victory since 2007.
“We need to shoot the ball well,” McQuiston said. “Defense will be key for us, too. We have to get after it on defense.
“We need to key on Rocco. He can play.”
The winner will advance and battle fifth-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic (17-5) on Wednesday at a time and site to be announced.
(E-mail: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com).
Shenango
Related Photos
Discussion
WPIAL Boys Playoffs: Shenango looks to ‘bring back pride’
- Shenango
-
-
Shenango class of ’72 sets reunion
Shenango High School’s class of 1972 will have its 40th anniversary reunion July 7. The gathering will run from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Villa Banquet Center. The cost is $44 per person if paid before June 2. After that, the cost is $50.
-
Shenango officials accept pay freeze
Administrators in the Shenango school district have accepted a wage freeze for the 2012-13 year. Dr. Michael Schreck, acting superintendent, said the freeze affects high school principal Joe McCormick, assistant principal Dan Mayer, director of special education Christine Moon, elementary principal Adam Vincent and technology director Rob Heath.
-
Athlete of the Week: Shenango’s Brent McCormick
It’s a strategy known in baseball as “giving him the business.” The expression refers to a team heckling, frustrating and joking with the opponent, usually a specific player.
-
Shenango board adopts vo-tech budget
The Shenango Area School Board has adopted the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s budget. The vo-tech school’s budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year is $7,084,421.
-
Shenango to hold makeup kindergarten registration
Shenango will have a make-up day for students who need to register for kindergarten for next year. The registration day will be May 10.
-
Shenango teachers, board OK new contract
Shenango’s teachers will receive pay increases averaging 1.24 percent over the life of a new contract. The Shenango Area Education Association, which represents the teachers, accepted the four-year agreement April 4 and the school board followed suit April 9, approving it unanimously.
-
Former Shenango superintendent given severance pay
Former Shenango schools superintendent Eugene M. Thomas has received a $50,000 final severance payment from the district. The payment was made Tuesday through a voluntary separation agreement and release entered into by Thomas and the district last Friday.
-
Shenango Schools: Timetable given to name superintendent
The Shenango school board anticipates naming its new superintendent by May or June. That’s the timetable given by board president Albert Burick Wednesday.
-
Hall of Fame Inductee: Doug Peters
It’s an argument Doug Peters will win almost every time. It really doesn’t matter who he’s making conversation with or what sport they’re discussing, people learn pretty quickly that they shouldn’t have debates about who was a better high school athlete with Peters.
-
Shenango OKs teachers pact
The Shenango school board has approved a four-year contract with the Shenango Area Education Association. The agreement, approved by a unanimous vote, takes effect Sept. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, 2016.
- More Shenango Headlines
-
Shenango class of ’72 sets reunion
