Winning continues at Chartiers Valley under Semplice
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mike Semplice gives final instructions to his Chartiers Valley players during a timeout in their section game against Bethel Park. Semplice is in his first year as head coach of the Lady Colts, who dropped a 46-45 decision to the Lady Hawks.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lilah Turnbull (32) and Mary Boff (4) chased after a loose ball during Section 2, 6A girls’ basketball action. Boff scored 11 points, including the decisive free throws in the final 3.7 seconds of play, to lead Bethel Park to victory over Chartiers Valley, 46-45.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Chartiers Valley head coach Mike Semplice discusses strategy with Ella Cupka (33) during a break in the action. Cupka scored 19 points in a 46-45 loss to Bethel Park.
With confidence, Mike Semplice accepted his first head coaching position knowing he would be replacing a legend. He said that he felt absolutely “no pressure” in doing so.
“I have been around the game my whole life,” he said. “It’s sort of the reason I took the job.”
Semplice grew up playing basketball at Moore Park in Brookline. He lived on Pioneer Avenue, a few blocks away from the childhood home of Tim McConnell, whom he replaced as Chartiers Valley High School’s girls basketball coach this season.
In 29 years at CV, McConnell amassed more than 600 victories. In his quarter-century of coaching the boys, he was 552-146 with six WPIAL titles and two PIAA state final appearances. In the last four years, McConnell coached the Lady Colts, compiling a 110-7 record complete with four section titles, three WPIAL crowns, one PIAA championships and two state runner-up trophies.
McConnell moved back to the boys side of coaching, taking the job at Bishop Canevin. The Crusaders are the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class A champions.
“Tim has done amazing things with both programs,” Semplice said.
Semplice noted since the two grew up in the same community and graduated from Seton LaSalle although in different decades (1982 for McConnell and 1997 for Semplice), they see the game in a similar way.
“I have learned a lot from him over the years and really respect the culture he has built. The intensity,” Semplice said. “They have a proud tradition here and they are passionate about basketball.”
During his teens and early-20s, Semplice was passionate about playing organized basketball. After leading the Rebels to one section title as a sophomore, yielding the next two years ironically to CV, Semplice played at the junior college level. He played two years each at Butler and Allegheny Community Colleges before segueing into coaching. He spent the past two seasons at Mt. Lebanon.
While at CCAC, Semplice played under Bill Shay, who amassed an 803-358 record in 39 seasons. While at Lebo, Semplice assisted Dori Oldaker, who was 390-121 overall before stepping down after 19 years to watch her daughters, Taylor and Ryan, compete at South Fayette. Last winter, under Oldaker, the Blue Devils were WPIAL champions and PIAA state finalists.
“I have always been surrounded by good coaches,” Semplice said. “Coach Shay was a great one. A winner. It was fun coaching under Dori and watching the great culture she built there. She knows what it’s like to win.
“I’ve taken a lot from each of them. I try to take something from everyone but there is a lot of basketball still to learn.”
Two days into the New Year, Semplice and the Lady Colts learned difficult lessons.
In their Class 6A Section 2 debut, they jumped ahead, 12-0, and held a 30-25 lead heading into the final quarter before falling to Bethel Park, 46-45. With 3.7 seconds remaining, Mark Boff stole the ball, was fouled and converted a pair of free throws to seal the victory for the Lady Hawks. Boff finished with a team-high 11 tallies.
“We are a tad bit inexperienced and it shows in moments like these tight games,” Semplice said. “I love their fight though. They are a determined group and they are doing everything that we are asking them to do.
“We need to put them in better situations to win the game. I could have coached a better game,” Semplice admitted.
Semplice though is doing a commendable job considering CV lost all five starters from last year’s 28-3 championship club. That quintet including Pitt’s Aislin Malcolm and Columbia’s Perri Page, twins Hallie and Helene Cowan and Marian Turnbull. Malcolm, Page and Hallie Cowan were all 1,000-point scorers in their varsity careers, which included that 110-7 record run.
The Lady Colts awarded Semplice with his first varsity win when they dispatched Elizabeth Forward, 67-36, in the Keystone Oaks Tip-off Tournament. Junior Ella Cupka tallied 23 points for the Colts, while sophomore Lilah Turnbull pitched in 15 points. Cupka pumped in 19 points in the loss to BP
The Colts are 6-3 overall heading into a tough string of games. They host Upper St. Clair on Jan. 9 and Mt. Lebanon on Jan. 16. Sandwiched in between is a visit to Peters Township on Jan. 13.
Because of their dominance at the Class 5A level and consecutive successful runs in the state tournament, PIAA rules forced the Lady Colts to move up a division.
“Either way, it was going to be tough,” Semplice said. “Both are strong conferences. No matter where we played, it’s was going to be difficult because we have girls that don’t have a lot of court experience but they have are good basketball players. They show a lot of great intelligence and make great plays but at other times they show a lack of experience.”
CV’s roster features just two seniors: Mia Colbert and Chloe Williams. Elena Molinari and Becca Zemaitis along with Cupka are the lone juniors.
Renee Hill, Valerie Suter and Jenna Sexon are freshmen while the remainder of the team consists of sophomores including: Turnbull, who is a standout cross country runner, Kelsie McKenna, Ava Antonucci, Natalia Palumbo, Ava Shazer, Iyla Ozbey, Katie Johnson, Emma Reynolds and Cupka.
“It’s a great group and there is a lot of talent in the program, especially in the youth groups,” Semplice said.
“While we are learning how to be tougher, especially mentally down the stretch (like in a game like Bethel Park), we are understanding each other and being open to learning something new. The big thing is we are playing together. For the most part we are buying into the team concept and the team has to be first in order for you to win.”
Winning is imperative to CV’s goals. The Colts hope to earn one of the four playoff spots available in their section.
In typical coach speak Semplice said, “We are taking it one day at a time. The goal is to get into the playoffs. After that anything can happen from there. But first, we have to find a way to win the tight games.”
While Chartiers Valley is Mike Semplice’s first head coaching position in basketball, he is well versed in running show.
“It’s not my first experience working with youth,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time.”
Semplice helps Matt Gould run the Steeltown Basketball Club. A Mt. Lebanon product, Gould was recently hired as the head coach at Thomas Jefferson High School.
The Steeltown Basketball Club features 12 teams, which includes boys (7th-12th grades) and girls teams (4th-8th grade).
“We are a little under the radar and depend on word-of-mouth for people to find there way to us,” he said.
The same goes for Semplice’s business. He is an independent personal trainer.
For now, Chartiers Valley is his home base as the girls varsity coach.
“It’s the next step in my journey,” he said. “It’s a great spot. All the people here have been great from the administration, to the booster group, the parents and the players. They’re a lot of fun to work with.”