Nov 25, 2014 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

The 2014-15 boys’ basketball season shapes up as a puzzling science for Mt. Lebanon.

“Our chemistry is good,” explained head coach Joe David. “I’m excited because I have a great group of young men. I like where we are and I think we will be a competitive team once the right pieces fall into place.”

David has plenty of fragments from last year’s successful 18-7 squad upon which to construct another winner, not to mention a Section 4-AAAA contender. The Blue Devils finished third in the division last winter with a 9-5 slate.

Jonny David spearheads the talent. He ranked among the top scorers in the WPIAL with an 18-point average per game. Ivy and Patriot League clubs, as well as some Division III schools, are courting the senior sharpshooter. David also has some offers to walk on at a couple DI teams.

“He’s really worked hard to improve his game,” said Coach David, who also happens to be Jonny’s dad.

What improves David’s impact is the experience surrounding him. Eddie Jenkins returns to the point position to run the offense. Though a sophomore, Mark Lamendola started some games last season as a freshman. In addition to the three guards, Patrick Ehland returns inside. The 6-8 center is entertaining offers from Division III schools, including Pitt-Johnstown, currently, but his stock could improve once scouts see his senior season. “He’s really filled out a lot and he’s going to help us,” David said.

Matt Hoffman will aid Lebo’s efforts. After a one-year hiatus to focus on football, the 6-5 forward returns to the club. Hoffman earned a scholarship to Penn.

“We are proud of Matt and what he has achieved and we are pleased he has returned to the team,” David said. “In our view, he could be a difference maker for us. He is a ferocious battler on the boards and he is going to help rebounding.”

The Blue Devils expect Abbas Merchant to be an asset. He is a freshman guard. A sophomore, Sean Witte is also a guard while Thomas Gladden and Xavier are both forwards and added pluses inside.

David also anticipates some of his other younger players will help the team. They may move up from JV to varsity in some instances.

“We have a lot of good kids and some players that have been around a while. So, I guess, experience is a strength,” answered David. “I think we have good leadership and will play good defense, too. We have better shooters and Ehland is a force, so I think we are going to be harder to stop. Teams won’t be just focused on taking Jonny off his game.”

While David and the Blue Devils are anxious for Dec. 5, the first official playing date, to roll around, there is still time for improvement. “We have to get better individually and collectively and be a better team,” David said. “We have to make sure we are in the right frame of mind, that we are all on the same page and grow as a cohesive unit. We want to be playing to the best of our capabilities.”

While another area of concern is developing an identity, David was hard pressed to single out a competitor as the toughest opponent. He noted newcomer Chartiers Valley, which was the Class AAA runner-up last winter, as always being solid, competitive and ready to roll. He then listed Bethel Park, Canon-McMillan and Moon.

“Actually, we are not thinking about other teams and what they have. We are bunkered in and trying to be the best possible team we can be. In our section, there are no walkthroughs. You have to step up and go because if you are not ready, then you will lose. If you don’t play well, you won’t win.

“Right now, though, we are finding our personality and what defines us. So far, I like where we are.”