Upper St. Clair boys rounding into basketball shape

After a split in their opening tip off tournament, the verdict is still out regarding the Upper St. Clair boys this basketball season.
The Panthers used 16 3-point field goals to defeat Seton LaSalle, 66-61, before dropping the championship contest to Fox Chapel, 50-38.
“We shot the ball well and got open looks against Seton. Fox Chapel beat us. We did not play well,” said USC skipper Dan Holzer.
“We are still figuring out our team,” Holzer admitted.
The football players who decided to play this season are still transitioning from their season, which ended Nov. 19 in the WPIAL Class 5A finals. Once they get their basketball legs guys like Cody Marn (6-4, 190), Aidan Conn (6-2, 190) and Marco Carone (6-4, 245) will give the Panthers a more solid inside presence.
Plus, a couple of Panthers are nursing injuries. A 6-2 junior, Devin Hall had varsity experience from last year’s 16-8 playoff club. He is out with an injury as is Carter McClintock-Comeaux, a 6-4 senior forward
“We are a new team. Different from last year,” Holzer said.
As a result, Holzer says it’s hard to tell how the Panthers will measure up in the revamped Class 6A of the WPIAL. There are 12 teams divided into two sections in Class 6A. USC’s opponents consist of Baldwin, Canon-McMillan, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon and Norwin.
Bethel Park and Peters Township have dropped down to Class 5A. USC will still play these rivals, hosting the Black Hawks on Dec. 16 and visiting the Indians on Dec. 28.
“It’s hard to tell what the section and season will be like but I am looking forward to it,” Holzer said.
“I like our guys. We will be a god team,” Holzer assured. “Once we get everybody back, we’ll be able to score in a lot of different ways. We’ll be fine.”
From the outside, the Panthers are more than alright. At least they were against SLS.
Nick Sukernek connected on eight long-range shots and finished with 31 points against the Rebels. Matthew Gaither pitched in 24 tallies and Christian Ito Sterath supplied 16 points.
Sophomore Julian Dahlem, who shared duties as quarterback on the football field, runs the offense at the point position along with junior Brett Meinert.
Christian Wieczenski, Kaamil Jackson, Peja Strobl, Tyler Robbins and Alexander Pellicci also are expected to contribute for the Panthers, who open section play hosting Hempfield on Jan. 3. USC visits Mt. Lebanon on Jan. 10.