Mt. Lebanon’s Hinckley named Almanac MVP
Eleanor Bailey/the almanac
Caden Hinckley was a force behind Mt. Lebanon’s section championship team that reached the Final Four in the WPIAL Class 6A tournament and finished 20-5 overall. The 6-6 senior averaged nearly a double-double a game.
Eleanor Bailey/The ALmanac
Joe David coached Mt. Lebanon to a section title and the Final Four in the WPIAL Class 6A tournament. This season, he also recorded his 400th career victory. For his accomplishments, he has been named Almanac Coach of the Year.
Caden Hinckley’s high school basketball career almost ended before it started. As a freshman, he was cut from the team.
When he tried out again for the Mt. Lebanon varsity as a sophomore, Joe David decided to keep Hinckley for one very important reason.
“Caden worked hard,” explained the Blue Devils’ head coach.
Two years later, Hinckley’s labor paid off enormously and Lebo benefited. The 6-foot-6 senior center managed 13.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a game as the Blue Devils captured a section title and advanced to the Final Four in the WPIAL Class 6A tournament. The Blue Devils finished 20-5 overall after falling to Taylor Allderdice, 63-54, in a PIAA state playoff game in which Hinckley did not participate due to a stress fracture in his foot.
“When we didn’t have him, you saw what happened,” David said. “Caden became a complete player. In two years, he really improved his play. All aspects of his game have gotten better. Caden wanted to get better and he was willing to do the work to get there.”
While David said Hinckley “loves” the weight room and is “blessed” with an abundance of athletic ability, he nevertheless toiled. He focused primarily on his shooting and his defense. Those translated into his “biggest attributes” noted David.
“Caden has a real good touch around the rim and he has a nice jump shot although he didn’t get to demonstrate that much because if he’s shooting, then we had no one who could get the rebound.
“His defense also improved tremendously,” David added. “He started out just wanting to swat away shots but he’s done a good job of going up with two hands and altering and contesting shots.”
Hinckley’s progression altered his shot at attracting college recruiters. After weighing his options, Hinckley decided to play basketball at Allegheny College.
“He’s going to do very well and make the coaches there very happy,” David predicted. “His upside potential is enormous because Caden is only going to get bigger and stronger as he fills out and continues to develop his leadership abilities.”
While Hinckley’s abilities and attributes enabled him to garner Almanac Most Valuable Player honors, his teammates, Antonio Garofoli and Hayden Mitchell were not that far behind him in the balloting for post-season honors.
A senior, Garofoli earned the school’s Dick Black Award, which is given to the player that best represents the legendary coach’s philosophy and play. The recipient is the one that plays the game the right way.
Though the smallest player on the court, the 5-8 guard electrified the crowd with his accuracy from the perimeter. He led Lebo in 3-point shooting and finished with a 16.6-point scoring average. While he also accumulated 2.4 steals per game, Garofoli provided other intangibles that don’t show up in the scorebook.
“Teams may have been able to stop him from scoring by employing special defenses, but I have always told Antonio that they cannot stop you from getting a steal, playing defense or making an assist,” David said. “They can’t stop you from hustling and being an enthusiastic leader. And, that’s what Antonio is. It’s more important to Antonio the outcome of the game. He’s all about the win. That tells you what a team player he is.”
Mitchell, equally, was all about the team and the end product. In helping Lebo compile an 11-1 section mark, the small forward led the team in scoring. He finished with an 11.7 average while also providing 2.6 steals and 3.0 assists per game.
“He’s a young man that has gotten better and more confident as the year has gone on. He has done all that we’ve asked him to do.”
The junior brought tough-mindedness to the squad that David attributes to his performances on the links. During the fall, Mitchell helped the golf team win a section banner. Lebo finished fifth in the WPIAL championships.
The Blue Devils also benefitted from their coach’s calm demeanor and composure on the bench. In his 17th season at the helm, David recorded his 300th career win when Lebo defeated Peters Township Jan. 13. David, who has coached in four WPIAL finals and one PIAA championship game, went on to guide his charges to a section title and a Final Four appearance in the WPIAL. For his efforts, which included compiling a 20-5 record and a PIAA playoff appearance, David garners Almanac Coach of the Year honors.
Three lead SLS
Seton-La Salle experienced success equal to that of the Blue Devils and thus also placed three players on the Almanac All-Star list. Jakob Richardson, George Mike IV and Matt Banbury helped lead the Rebels to the WPIAL finals, where they lost to Lincoln Park, 62-47. SLS finish 20-7 overall after losing to Fairview, 56-54, in the PIAA Class 3A tournament. The Rebels ran the table, going 10-0, in capturing the Section 2 banner.
A senior, Richardson pulled double duty for the Rebels. He played the No. 3 position and often was asked to guard one of the other teams best players. He led the Rebels in scoring with a 15.7-point average. He also averaged six rebounds a game.
“Jakob did a great job as a slasher for us,” SLS skipper Mark Walsh said. “A number of times, he had the best defender on him from the other teams and he still did a really, really good job for us.”
Mike IV also did a top-notch job for the Rebels. The senior managed 13.6 points per game. He pulled down 10 rebounds a game.
“George was our offensive force inside,” Walsh said. “He was very aggressive on the offensive end and he did a great job in the post. He was a tough match-up for other teams.”
Banbury matched up against the other teams’ best. Plus, he contributed to running the Rebel attack. In addition to averaging eight points per game, he dished up four assists. He also grabbed four rebounds a contest.
“Matt was a big part of our success,” Walsh said. “He was given the duty of guarding the other teams top players. Matt also did a great job at the guard spot doing whatever was asked and dishing out a number of assists. He also rebounded well from his position.”
Brothers guide BP
Bethel Park went from the basement in Section 2 of Class 6A in the WPIAL to a playoff contender in one season and the Meis brothers played a big part in the Hawks’ turnabout from a 2-10 section and 6-16 overall club. They led the Hawks to a third-place finish in their division (7-5) and a 13-10 overall record that included a playoff loss to Pine-Richland, 66-62.
While Ryan Meis garnered first-team all-section honors, Justin Meis captured second-team laurels. They fired in 26 and 14 points respectively against the Rams.
Overall, Ryan led the team in scoring with a 14.2 average. He dished up 3.7 assists and pulled down 4.0 rebounds a game. Though a sophomore, he is considered a Division I prospect.
“Ryan has fantastic court presence and I love his attitude,” said Peters Township floor boss Gary Goga. “He will be the best guard to play at Bethel that I’ve seen,” predicted Goga, who excelled at the position when he played for the Hawks.
Meanwhile, Justin is already committed to Eastern Michigan to play baseball at the Division I institution. On the hardcourts, he averaged 10.5 points, four rebounds and two assists per game.
Mislan tops list
Though just a sophomore, Connor Mislan was the only underclassman to earned first-team, all-section honors in his league. He also has been named to the Almanac’s Top 10 list.
Mislan led South Fayette to the WPIAL Quad-A quarterfinals and the second round of the PIAA tournament, where the Lions lost in both instances to district champion, New Castle. South Fayette finished 17-9 overall and runner-up to Belle Vernon in the Section 3 race.
Mislan averaged 14 points and five assists per game. He scored a game-high 26 points on two occasions in games against Keystone Oaks and Chartiers Valley this season. Mislan converted 48 percent of his field goal attempts and 46 percent of his shots from 3-point range.
Meinert guides USC
A starter since his sophomore season, Kyle Meinert led Upper St. Clair in scoring with a 13.8-point average. He also ranked second on the team with 43 assists and 25 steals.
The 6-1 senior guard earned second-team, all-section honors for the Panthers, who qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, giving eventual champion Penn Hills a scare before falling, 52-51, in overtime. He scored 21 points in that loss to the Indians.
“Kyle was a key for us. A strong kid,” added USC head coach Dan Holzer. “He could shoot the three as well as get to the rim for us.”
PT has ROTY
Colin Cote completes the Elite Eleven list as the Peters Township sophomore has claimed Almanac Rookie of the Year laurels. He averaged 10.6 points per game and gained honorable mention recognition on the section all-star squad.
“Colin can really shoot the ball and his potential is through the roof,” said his coach Gary Goga.
Almanac Boys’ Basketball All-Stars
First Team
Antonio Garofoli Mt. Lebanon Guard 16.6 ppg. 2.4 steals
Caden Hinckley Mt. Lebanon Center 13.5 ppg. 9.5 rpg.
Ryan Meis Bethel Park Guard 14.2 ppg. 3.7 assists
George Mike IV Seton LaSalle Forward 13.6 ppg. 10 rpg.
Jacob Richardson Seton LaSalle Forward 15.7 ppg. 6 rpg.
Second Team
Matt Banbury Seton La Salle Guard 8 ppg. 4 assists
Kyle Meinert Upper St. Clair Forward 13.8 ppg. 3 assists
Justin Meis Bethel Park Guard 10.5 ppg. 4.0 rpg.
Connor Mislan South Fayette Guard 14 ppg. 5 assists
Hayden Mitchell Mt. Lebanon Forward 11.7 ppg. 3.0 assists
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Caden Hinckley-Mt.Lebanon
HONORABLE MENTION: Alex Mullen-Bethel Park; Joe Pipilo-Chartiers Valley; Vonte Mitchell, Josh Snell-Keystone Oaks; Mike Palmer-Mt. Lebanon; Matt Banbury, Nick Deanes, Kaleb Krebs-Seton-La Salle; Brett Moore, Tanner Gensler-Upper St. Clair
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Colin Cote – Peters Township
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jake Hoffman, Blaine Gartley-Mt. Lebanon; Luke Gensler-Upper St. Clair
COACH OF THE YEAR – Joe David – Mt. Lebanon