2021 High School Basketball Preview: Greensburg Central Catholic
Written by: Sean Meyers
January 06, 2021
Tags: Christian McGowan Brevan Williams Dylan Sebek Ryan Appleby Dylan Parsons Tyree Turner Danny Dlugos Bailey Kuhns Meghan Zambruno Laura Kondas Emma Riley Madi Pisula Molly White Emma Zambruno Natalie Ward Liz Dlugos Sara Blahovec Mya Morgan
Meghan Zambruno and Christian McGowan helped lead Greensburg Central Catholic this year. (Photos by www.westernpasports.com)
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions Boys
Head Coach: Christian Hyland – 2nd season
Section: Class 2A Section 3
Last Season: 16-7 overall record – lost to Eden Christian in WPIAL Class 1A first round
Key Losses: Ben LaCarte, Nate Ward, Tommy Erdley
Key Returners: Christian McGowan, Brevan Williams, Dylan Sebek, Ryan Appleby
Promising Newcomers: Dylan Parsons, Tyree Turner, Danny Dlugos
Following a lengthy winning streak down the stretch of the regular season, it appeared as though Greensburg Central Catholic was peaking entering the WPIAL Class 1A playoffs last season. With arguably their best player ineligible for the postseason, however, the Centurions were bounced in the first round by Eden Christian Academy, 66-56.
Despite the disappointing finish, the Centurions posted 16 wins in the head coaching debut of Christian Hyland.
“We had a really good group of athletes who translated well to the basketball court,” he said of that group, which included Indiana University soccer commit Nate Ward.
While Ward, Ben LaCarte, and Tommy Erdley are among the key players who graduated, Greensburg Central Catholic returns a talented and experienced group. Senior Christian McGowan, who was unable to suit up in the playoff game because of his earlier transfer from Greensburg Salem, averaged approximately 15 points per contest last season. Two other starters return with junior Brevan Williams, who contributed 12 points per game, and senior Dylan Sebek, who netted 7 points on average. Another key member of the rotation, junior Ryan Appleby, also is back in the mix.
Additionally, juniors Dylan Parsons and Danny Dlugos, and freshman Tyree Turner are expected to make their mark this campaign.
After playing in Class 1A a year ago, the Centurions bump up to 2A, and will compete in Section 3, along with Clairton, Jeannette, Serra Catholic, Winchester Thurston, and Propel Braddock Hills. From that group, all of the squads made the playoffs last season except for Propel Braddock Hills.
Hyland enjoyed incredible success as a player during his time at GCC, and he has set his sights on similar success on the sideline this season. His goals for the Centurions include winning the section, and claiming the WPIAL and PIAA titles
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions Girls
Head Coach: Sam Salih – 3rd season
Section: Class 2A Section 4
Last Season: 14-8 overall record – lost to California in WPIAL Class 1A first round
Key Losses: Gia Scala, Teresa Kondas, Sami Nemeth
Key Returners: Bailey Kuhns, Meghan Zambruno, Laura Kondas, Emma Riley, Madi Pisula, Molly White, Emma Zambruno, Natalie Ward
Promising Newcomers: Liz Dlugos, Sara Blahovec, Mya Morgan
Last season, Greensburg Central Catholic captured a share of the section title and won 14 games, but the campaign ended a bit premature for the liking of the Centurions. GCC earned the No. 5 seed in the postseason, but was upset by No. 12 California 36-35 in the opening round of the Class 1A bracket.
“At GCC, the standard is section titles, WPIAL championships, & PIAA championships,” said Centurions head coach Sam Salih, now entering his third season. “We fell short of some of those goals and didn’t get out of the first round of WPIAL playoffs for the second year in a row. It most definitely was a disappointment.”
From that disappointment comes opportunity, however. The Centurions return a team that is capable of producing a deeper playoff run, even as GCC moves up to Class 2A.
“The girls are hungry and want to show and prove they can play and win,” Salih continued. “They want more and want to cement their legacy in this program. I’m excited to see their response.”
First, the team must replace three notable departures due to graduation, including Gia Scala, who averaged 12 points, 4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. While the senior leadership of Scala, Teresa Kondas and Sami Nemeth will be missed, the Centurions return a strong class of juniors.
Bailey Kuhns, who transferred during last season from Southmoreland, has already garnered Division I interest. After opening eyes as a freshman with the Scotties, she averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks with Greensburg Central Catholic during her abbreviated season. Three other returners – Meghan Zambruno, Laura Kondas, and Emma Riley - all averaged approximately 6 points per game, and Kondas and Riley were strong on the glass, while Zambruno showed her ability to distribute. Fellow juniors Madi Pisula, Molly White, Ella Zambruno, and Natalie Ward are also back in the fold this season.
Meanwhile, three newcomers appear poised to potentially make an impact, as sophomores Liz Dlugos and Sara Blahovec, as well as freshman Mya Morgan, will compete for minutes.
After tying Clairton for section supremacy in 2019-20, the Centurions will now compete in Class 2A Section 4, which is comprised of Apollo-Ridge, Jeannette, Springdale, Winchester Thurston and Ellis School. Winchester Thurston and Apollo-Ridge look to be the frontrunners.
Although GCC has no seniors and seemingly moves to a more challenging section, the team has set lofty goals, while also keeping its perspective, according to Salih.
“To win a section title and make the WPIAL playoffs and make a run at a title,” he said of the objectives. “Obviously with everything going on with COVID-19, it’s just a blessing that the girls get a chance to play.”