Upper St. Clair back to its winning ways
Upper St. Clair is at it again. Despite heavy graduation losses from last year’s WPIAL championship club, the Panthers are dominating the hardcourt this winter.
After edging arch rival Mt. Lebanon, 43-36, on Jan. 13, USC improved to 13-1 overall. The Panthers finished the first half of section play with a 6-1 slate and looked to avenge their only loss when they hosted Central Catholic on Jan. 16.
Noting the roster features just two seniors in Jake Foster and Luke Marchinsky, head coach Dan Holzer said that he is thrilled with how the Panthers are playing.
“”We graduated 10 seniors and only have five guys back. So technically we’re one of the youngest teams in 6A. It’s exciting to see them step up. All those new guys were just like talking, ‘okay, now it’s my turn.’ It’s their turn to be part of this program and keep it going. That’s kind of what they’re doing.”
At the beginning of the year, high school basketball followers were aware of Ryan Robbins, a 6-7 power forward, and Jake Foster, a 3-point artist. Both were key members of USC’s back-to-back WPIAL winners.
“Everybody knows who they are but everybody else kind of makes plays. We have all these guys that have been making plays here and there. I’m really proud of them.”
While Robbins pitched in 10 tallies and dominated the boards and Foster knocked down two, key 3-pointers and finished with eight points against Mt. Lebanon, Holzer indicated that he was most proud of Marchinsky and Finnegan Beggy. They keyed the Panthers as they surged past the Blue Devils, particularly in the game’s final moments.
Marchinsky led USC with 11 markers. His 3-point play provided a 40-35 cushion for the Panthers with 38 seconds remaining.
“Luke’s not a newcomer,” Holzer noted of the senior, who did not play last year due to an injury. “He was one of our key players but the poor kid missed the whole year. So nobody really knows about him, but Luke’s a solid player. He came through for us in the end with a big score that was a result of a great pass from Jake (Foster).”
A junior, Beggy scored all four of his points in the fourth frame. His bucket put the Panthers ahead for good, 37-35.
“Finningen’s like a role player for us. A really good JV kid from last year that has stepped for us like all those guys on this team.
“It’s been a total team effort just as it’s been throughout our program,” Holzer added. “It’s that next-player-up knowledge.”
At USC, it’s also an awareness that defense wins championships. In 11 of their victories, they have held opponents to under 50 points. Against Lebo, they held the Blue Devils to 26 points in the first half and 31 through three quarters.
Liam Sheely, who recently topped the 1,000-point mark for his career, was held to 14 points and only one 3-point field goal. Carter Gould and Jacob Zaber each finished with eight tallies.
“Without a doubt our half-court defense was the difference. We did an amazing job,” Holzer said. “I’m proud of our players’ defense. We switch everything. Nobody guards anybody in particular because we switch all the time.”
While Marchinsky, Beggy and Andrew Gaither have blended together to form a formidable starting five along with Robbins and Foster, the Panthers have developed a kinship particularly through their recent travels.
The squad, which also includes Jude Ausi, Aidan Chambers, Jacob Cimarolli, Connor Gallagher, Thomas Garces, Braden Lebeau, Luke Rickel, Greyson Sayler, Will Sukernek and Jackson Tweardy, traveled to Florida over the winter holiday break. In the Jacksonville Tournament, the Panthers won all three of their games, beating Fernandina Beach, 64-33, Fletcher, 64-33, and West Nassau, 70-35.
“With such a young team, it was important to develop camaraderie and these guys came together,” said Holzer. “It was a great bonding experience.”
In addition to their games, the team spent time at the beach, and took in a Florida Gators men’s college basketball game against St. Francis, Pa. They also visited the local mall, which Holzer described as “huge” enough that one could walk “a mile or two” in the facility.
Once they returned to more regional competition, the Panthers zeroed in on their expectations. While they are two-time defending district champions, they are focused on the immediate and realistic goal of qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs.
“We haven’t even talked about (a WPIAL title). Technically we are so young,” Holzer reiterated. “We’re just having fun.
“Absolutely,” he replied regarding the question of wanting to repeat as WPIAL champions. “We know we’re capable. We have a chance.”