Day-by-day progress key to Mt. Lebanon’s success
At Mt. Lebanon, the calendar year doesn’t matter. The day does.
Whether it’s 2025 or 2026, the boys basketball team has resolved to improve on a daily basis.
“The goal is to get better every day, every practice and every game,” emphasized Joe David, who is in his 25th year as Mt. Lebanon head coach.
“We are not where we need to be and not where we want to be but we are improving. It’s not going to be for a lack of trying but we are going to get better and better.”
That is bad news for WPIAL Class 6A foes because the Blue Devils entered the new year with a 9-3 record. They were coming off a strong showing in the Great 8 Classic held over the holidays at Jefferson City, Mo. Additionally, they kicked off 2026 with back-to-back wins at Bethel Park, 67-45, and Connellsville, 83-36.
During the Great 8 Classic, Lebo beat two of the host teams, Jefferson City, 60-54, and Capital City, 63-58, and reached the finals only to fall, 78-51, to Principia in the championship contest.
Principia is the No. 2 ranked team in the nation and features Quentin Coleman. The Wake Forest recruit led Principia to the Missouri Class 3A state championship and a 31-1 record last year. Coleman was named the tournament’s MVP.
“For us to compete against one of the best players and well-coached teams in the nation is a great opportunity,” David said. “It prepares us for everybody we will play against.
“If the goal is to be the best team possible, then you want to play the best because iron sharpens iron. We’re trying to win a section, WPIAL and state championship.”
The Blue Devils are chasing Central Catholic, arch rival Upper St. Clair and New Castle in those regards. The Vikings currently lead Section 2, having already beaten the Blue Devils, 56-39, and USC, 48-46.
The Panthers are the two-time WPIAL 6A reigning champion. The Hurricanes, who lost to USC in last year’s district final, are undefeated and atop the Section 1 standings.
The Blue Devils have key confrontations with the frontrunners coming up quickly. Lebo visits USC on Jan. 13 then Central on Jan. 20. Both games tip off at 7 p.m.
“We’re both chasing Central, and USC’s a great rivalry to have,” David said. “We have a lot of respect for them and their program speaks for itself.
“It’s always a good game and a fun, playoff-like atmosphere that prepares us every year for the postseason.”
The Blue Devils appear to be rounding into shape as a top playoff contender because they return four starters from last year’s 19-9 squad that reached the WPIAL semifinals.
Liam Sheely is the key veteran. A four-year starter, he dropped a career-high 39 points against Bethel Park on Jan. 3 and 18 tallies against Connellsville on Jan. 6. Additionally, he scored 26 points in the championship game against Principia and earned all-tournament honors.
Sheely had 11 points in the first quarter of a section loss, 58-53, against Norwin on Dec. 23 before leaving the contest with a shoulder injury.
During the off-season last year, Sheely had surgery to repair the shoulder.
“Liam’s rehabbed and on his way back to totally being healthy,” David said. “He’s getting better and better every game.
“Liam is a great player and probably the best shooter I’ve had in my coaching career. Right now, he’s getting a lot of looks from D3 programs but he has the potential to go higher if his ball handling and defensive skills improve.”
Carter Gould has matched Sheely in offensive output. He also garnered a spot on the all-tournament team during the Great 8 Classic.
A sharpshooter, he buried five, 3-pointers in the first half of the victory against the Black Hawks and then dropped 11 treys against the Falcons, two shy of a WPIAL record. Gould finished with 37 points in the triumph played at Connellsville.
“Carter can shoot it too,” said David. “He’s playing well and working hard on finishing at the rim and his passing.
“We’re all trying to get better and improve,” David added.
Jacob Zaber is another key component for the Blue Devils. A sophomore, he suffered a concussion in the loss to Norwin and has just returned to the lineup at point guard. He tossed in 11 points against Connellsville.
“Having him back is really big,” David said. “Jacob makes a big difference as far as our speed and defense are concerned.”
In Zaber’s absence, Santino Fiumara has filled in admirably. Fiumara is a junior guard.
“Santino has done a great job. A wonderful job,” David emphasized. “He’s another guy that had ankle surgery and missed all of last summer but has come back stronger. We have the world of confidence in him.”
The Blue Devils also have faith in starters Patrick Smith and Ryan Kokot as well as Dane Barber and Max Hergenroeder not to mention Nikhil Cherukuvada, Braylon Harris, Maxton Siegel and Michael Davenport-Thomas.
“Patrick has played well underneath for us,” David said. “Ryan and Dane have played great roles and done great things for us.”
Otto Muth is one of the team’s five seniors along with Kokot, Sheely, Gould and Smith while Matthew Miracle, Sawyer Shestak, Owen Hackworth, Griffin Bergstresser, Colton Sempanco, Travis Barber and Nick Martin display a wealth of talent as a sophomore grouping.
Callahan Klaphake as one of the team’s two freshmen along with Harris, round out the varsity roster.
“They are all dedicated to what we are doing with basketball and all,” David said.
David mentioned, too, how the trip to Missouri proved a “great bonding” experience as the players took in the sights, ate meals together and participated in off-court activities such as bowling.
“It was a great trip and I liked how we competed. We had a great team effort in everything we did.
“I think down the road it will help us because it was playing two away games. We were on the road, kids had to adjust to roommates and we all were hanging out together as a team. It was a great tournament for us and great preparation for the playoffs.”