Chartiers Valley’s Davis headlines Almanac all-stars
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Jayden Davis led the area with his 27-point scoring average. The freshman also ranked No. 1 in rebounding and assists at Chartiers Valley.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Brandon Jakiela
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Dolan Waldo
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Tanner O’Grady
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Gavin Cote
Eleanor Bailey/TheAlmanac
Christian Powers
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lucas Garafoli
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Christian Mallon
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Porter Rauch
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Zach D’Alesandro
The graduation of Brayden Reynolds created a void in the Chartiers Valley boys basketball lineup. But not for long.
At the start of the 2021-22 season, Jayden Davis made his debut. He tossed in 27 points in the opener.
Davis didn’t stop there. He maintained that scoring output throughout the year.
The freshman even set a pace that is on track to surpass the feats accomplished by Reynolds, who averaged 24.9 points as a senior and finished with 1,523 career points.
“Jayden is going to be a special player,” predicted CV head coach Brandon Sensor.
Davis doesn’t just score points for the Colts. In addition to his 27-point average, which ranked among the top five in the WPIAL, Davis led the team in rebounding with six boards per game, and in assists with three an outing. His effective field-goal percentage was 48.
“Jayden is the most skilled and athletic freshman in the area,” Sensor said. “People may comment on his size (5-9) but he packs a punch and he is strong.”
Sensor added that Davis had a lot of responsibilities and sometimes, as a freshman, he may have been asked to do too much. However, Sensor stands by his talent and ability in all aspects of the game.
“Jayden is a great ball defender, scorer and passer,” Sensor said. “He is the real deal.
“You don’t see freshmen with his athleticism, defensive motor and skill set very often but what’s great about him is he wants to learn and improve,” Sensor continued. “As long as he continues to keep that attitude, he’s going to keep getting better and better.”
Davis has learned from some of the best. He practiced against Reynolds but he has also met CV’s most distinguished alumnus — TJ McConnell, the all-time scoring leader and current NBA player for the Indiana Pacers.
“(TJ) has become a role model for me and I’ve learned a lot from Brayden,” Davis said. “He was a leader on and off the court and a great communicator with his teammates. I want to be like that.”
Involved with the CV basketball program since he was in seventh grade, and because he plays AAU and has traveled around the country, Davis honed his skills while developing a strong work ethic and competitive spirit.
While his parents, Nicole and Donald, played the sport, Davis said that competing against older students and AAU players enabled him to make a smooth transition into high school.
He said he was prepared because “you are competing against kids who are so advanced and as good or better than you are.”
As a freshman on a team that starter three other juniors, Davis is expected to help the Colts replicate past successes on the court.
The Colts, who were 5-18 overall, posted a 5-5 record in a section that produced the WPIAL and PIAA finalist in New Castle. The Hurricanes were also 2021 district champions by virtue of a 61-45 win against the Colts.
CV own five WPIAL titles, three at the Class 3A level and two at the 4A level when the league had only four classifications.
With three seasons remaining, Davis is within sights of his goals. He said he expects to surpass the 1,000-point plateau but prefers the Colts compete in at least two WPIAL championships before his scholastic career is complete and he is off to college.
“I have to keep working harder,” he said in order to achieve those objectives.
His hard work has already paid off handsomely. In addition to earning a spot on the first team of the All-Section 2 squad, Davis has garnered a spot on The Almanac boys basketball all-star team. He headlines the list as Most Valuable Player.
“Jayden’s stats speak for themselves,” Sensor said. “He’s an electrifying player on offense and defense. He was the guy every team game planned to stop.”
Four join Davis
Gavin Cote from Peters Township, Brandon Jakiela of South Fayette, Tanner O’Grady of Upper St. Clair and Dolan Waldo from Bethel Park join Davis on The Almanac’s first-team all-star list. All were also first-team all-section performers.
A senior swingman, Cote averaged 18.7 points a game for the Indians, who finished 8-14 overall.
“Gavin carried the scoring load for us nearly every game this season despite drawing much of our opponents attention,” said PT floor boss Joe Urmann. “His shooting ability is second to none in the section.”
Jakiela enjoyed a decorated career as a Lion. He was a three-time all-section performer, twice as a first-teamer. He also scored over 1,000 career points.
A senior guard, Jakiela led the Lions with a 17-point scoring average. He also managed seven rebounds an outing.
“Brandon is a natural scorer. He can score from behind the three-point line, mid-range, and especially at the basket,” said SF coach David Mislan. “Brandon was also instrumental in leading us to three straight playoff appearances.”
Jakiela will continue his playing career at Washington & Jefferson.
A senior, O’Grady led USC to a share of the section title with rival Mt. Lebanon. Both finished 7-3 in the division. The Panthers finished 16-8 overall after falling to the Blue Devils, 58-33, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs.
O’Grady led the Panthers in scoring with a 17.3 average and in assists with 3.9 per game. Also his two buzzer beaters led to thrilling USC victories.
“Tanner was our go-to guy,” said USC coach Dan Holzer. “He could score in a variety of ways which made it difficult for teams to defend him. Besides leading us in points and in assists, Tanner really improved defensively as the season progressed.”
After recovering from a summer-league injury, Waldo rallied to lead BP to a 16-7 record that featured a playoff appearance. He averaged 13 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists per game.
“Everyone always knew that Dolan was a very talented and athletic basketball player,” said BP coach Josh Bears. “With the effort and toughness he had to display just to get back on the floor following his injury, everyone also found out what a tough competitor he was as well.
“Dolan was able to fight back from an injury that surely would have sidelined most kids for the season. And he did so while still being able to be a go-to player for us and one of the top players in the WPIAL. His positive attitude and competitiveness are rarely seen in high school sports.”
Four for Lebo
Mt. Lebanon dominated the second team all-stars, nailing down four of the five slots. The quartet also were second-team honorees on the all-section squad.
Christian Powers, Zach D’Alesandro, Christian Mallon and Lucas Garofoli combined to help the Blue Devils win a share in the section title. After splitting decisions with rival USC, Lebo won the third encounter, 48-36, and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals. The Blue Devils also earned a PIAA playoff spot and finished the year with a 16-10 record.
Powers led Lebo in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 12 points and 7.2 boards an outing. The senior also averaged two assists to go along with 2.2 steals per game.
“Christian Powers was the best player we played against in the South Hills,” said Holzer, noting the swingman scored in double digits all three times the Panthers played the Blue Devils.
Mallon followed Powers in the scoring department. A senior, he averaged 11 points. He also managed two assists.
D’Alesandro was a defensive standout, taking 26 charges. A senior, he piloted the offense, averaging 3.5 assists a game. He also averaged six points and 2.2 steals an outing.
A junior sharpshooter, Garofoli was Lebo’s 3-point ace. He averaged 7.5 points. In addition he picked up two steals to go along with two assists an outing.
Roach in Top 10
Porter Rauch of Upper St. Clair rounds out the Top 10 on the all-star list. A senior, he earned first-team all-section acclaim for averaging 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds a game.
“Porter became a force in the paint both offensively and defensively for us,” said Holzer. “He could score in the post and also while facing the hoop and driving. Since his freshman year, he developed into a force in 6A. We’re really proud of him.”
Rauch is also a standout volleyball player for the Panthers. Recently, he was recognized as a Class AAA Player of the Week by the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches. The middle hitter has USC ranked in the top 10.
Notables
Among the players garnering honorable mention recognition were:
• Max Blanc, Ben Guffey, Anthony Watson, Jaden Goodman from Bethel Park.
A junior, Duffey earned all-section second-team acclaim while seniors Blanc, Goodman and Watson all gained honorable mention distinction.
• Joey Zajicek, Drew Sleva, Brendan Cruz from Chartiers Valley. All are juniors.
An all-section, second-team performer, Zajicek averaged nine points and four rebounds a game to go along with two assists.
“Joey shot the ball well for us and played through injuries,” Sensor said. “He also took 13 charges on defense.”
An honorable-mention pick in the section all-star balloting, Sleva managed 11 points, three rebounds and two assists a game.
“A great teammate for us. Our second ball handler,” said Sensor. “Drew really played hard all year, He’s going to get really good over this offseason.”
Cruz averaged four points, four rebounds and two assists while also drawing 25 charges on defense.
“Brendan did all the dirty work,” Sensor said. “He defended the other team’s best player and did a good job on the boards.”
• Joey Peters of Mt. Lebanon. This senior got off to a slow start because he played well into December on Lebo’s state championship football club. Peters ended up garnering distinction as a defensive stopper as a shot blocker and a force inside the paint. A Washington University football recruit, Peters was a second-team all-section performer.
• Brendan McCullough and Pat McDonnell from Peters Township.
A junior, McCullough was an honorable-mention selection in the section. He averaged 9.3 points per game.
“Brendan was our most disruptive defender,” said Urmann. “He took on our opponents best player on most nights and was a solid scorer/distributor for us. He got better and better as the season progressed.”
A senior, McDonnell fired in 5.8 points per game.
“Pat did a little bit of everything for us,” Urmann said. “He was asked to play just about every position and consistently brought positive contributions on both sides of the floor.”
Both McCullough and McDonnell were members of the PT football team.
• Logan Yater, Alex Hall. Landon Lutz from South Fayette. All three seniors gained second-team all-section honors.
• Mike Pellicci, Devin Hall, Nick Sukernek from Upper St. Clair.
A senior, Pellicci was an honorable mention selection in the section balloting. He averaged 8.5 points per game and provided USC with a strong 3-point shooting presence.
“Mike was a gritty tough defensive player, too,” said Holzer.
A sophomore starter, Hall averaged six points per game.
“He will be a really good player for us the next two years,” predicted Holzer.
A junior guard, Sukernek buried 34 3-point field goals for the Panthers. He averaged 5.7 points. “Nick’s a really good spot shooter,” Holzer said.
Top sophs
Jack Dunbar from Peters Township and Nate Deanes from South Fayette enjoyed sensational sophomore seasons and are among the top players to watch in the future.
A contributor off the bench as a freshman, Deanes moved into the starting line-up alongside four seniors. He averaged seven points per game.
“Nate guarded every team’s best player and helped with the ball-handling duties,” said Mislan.
A sixth man for the Indians, Dunbar averaged 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
“He is an excellent defender,” said Urmann. “He also made some big plays.”
FIRST TEAM
Gavin Cote Peters Township Senior 18.7 ppg
Jayden Davis Chartiers Valley Freshman 27 ppg, 6 rpg
Brandon Jakiela South Fayette Senior 17 ppg, 7 rpg
Tanner O’Grady Upper St. ClairSenior 17.3 ppg, 3.9 assists
Dolan Waldo Bethel Park Senior 13 ppg, 8 rpg
SECOND TEAM
Zach D’Alesandro Mt. Lebanon Senior 6 ppg, 3.5 assists
Lucas Garafoli Mt. Lebanon Junior 7.5 ppg, 2 assists
Christian Mallon Mt. Lebanon Senior 11 ppg, 2 assists
Christian Powers Mt. Lebanon Senior 12 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Porter Rauch Upper St. Clair Senior 11.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg
HONORABLE MENTION: Max Blanc, Ben Guffey, Anthony Watson, Jaden Goodman-Bethel Park; Drew Sleva, Joey Zajicek, Brendan Cruz-Chartiers Valley; Joey Peters-Mt. Lebanon; Brendan McCullough, Pat McDonnell–Peters Township; Logan Yater, Alex Hall. Landon Lutz-South Fayette; Mike Pellicci, Devin Hall, Nick Sukernek-Upper St. Clair
MVP-Jayden Davis, Chartiers Valley
PLAYERS TO WATCH-Jack Dunbar, Peters Township, Nate Deanes, South Fayette
COACH OF THE YEAR-Joe David, Mt. Lebanon