2021 High School Basketball Preview: Greater Latrobe Wildcats
Written by: Sean Meyers
January 07, 2021
Tags: Ryan Sickenberger Drew Clair Frankie Newell Chase Sickenberger Nick Rauco Landon Butler Ben Hamaty Luke Hamaty Quadarius Davis Anna Rafferty Rachel Ridilla Emma Blair Ava Vitula Lexi Weatherton Bailey Watson Camille Dominick Lizzie Planinsek Lexi McNeil Elle Snyder
Anna Rafferty and Ryan Sickenberger help lead the Wildcats this season. (Photos by www.westernpasports.com)
Greater Latrobe Wildcats Boys
Head Coach: Brad Wetzel – 19th Season
Section: Class 5A Section 3
Last Season: 6-16 overall record – missed playoffs
Key Losses: Michael Noonan
Key Returners: Ryan Sickenberger, Drew Clair, Frankie Newell, Chase Sickenberger, Nick Rauco, Landon Butler
Promising Newcomers: Ben Hamaty, Luke Hamaty, Quadarius Davis
Last season was a rare down year for Greater Latrobe, as the Wildcats won just three section games, and missed the postseason. And while the Wildcats graduated their top scorer and rebounder, they return nearly every other contributor, and drop down in classification, a combination that could lead to a return to prominence.
While 2019-20 was a difficult campaign for Greater Latrobe, Michael Noonan was a bright spot. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged approximately 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and was the lone senior in the rotation. He’s continuing his career on the hardwood at Allegheny College.
This season, the Wildcats boast a much larger senior class, and a more experienced squad overall. Senior Ryan Sickenberger, a guard who averaged 14 points per contest a season ago, is expected to serve as a top scorer again this year. Fellow seniors Drew Clair, Frankie Newell, and Nick Rauco also started games last year, and classmates Patrick Shimko and Michael Shoemaker could take on expanded roles in 2021, as well.
Having that veteran leadership could prove the difference this year, as Greater Latrobe head coach Brad Wetzel lamented several narrow setbacks a year ago, including one-possession defeats on six occasions.
“Last year, we lost a handful of games by just a basket or two - this could have been a result of having so few players who had varsity experience prior to last season,” he said. “Hopefully we benefit from the experience many of our players were able to get last season.”
That senior core will be complimented by an array of talented players, including junior Chase Sickenberger and sophomore Landon Butler. Butler, whose older brothers Austin and Bryce were both standouts for the Wildcats, showed flashes of his offensive potential as a reserve last campaign. Additionally, juniors Ben Hamaty and Luke Hamaty, as well as freshman Quadarius Davis, are all poised to play a role for the first time at the varsity level.
The Wildcats also transition to a new classification, dropping from 6A to 5A. Competing in Section 3, Greater Latrobe will battle against Franklin Regional, Gateway, Kiski Area, McKeesport Area, Penn Hills, and Woodland Hills.
Prior to the pause of the season, the Wildcats played a nonsection tilt against powerhouse Butler Area, an 82-72 win for the Golden Tornado.
“Our hope is to continually improve as the season progresses and enjoy the opportunity to compete,” Wetzel stated. “There was so much doubt and questions hanging over the preseason that we feel fortunate to be tipping the ball off this week, and hope to do our best to navigate through these unusual circumstances.”
Greater Latrobe Wildcats Girls
Head Coach: Mark Burkardt – 6th Season
Section: Class 5A Section 4
Last Season: 12-10 overall record – missed playoffs
Key Returners: Anna Rafferty, Rachel Ridilla, Emma Blair, Ava Vitula, Lexi Weatherton, Bailey Watson, Camille Dominick, Lizzie Planinsek, Lexi McNeil
Promising Newcomers: Elle Snyder
Last campaign, Greater Latrobe narrowly dropped the section finale to Penn-Trafford with a playoff spot on the line. Two years ago, the Wildcats suffered the same fate, losing another win-and-you’re-in scenario against the Warriors. While Penn-Trafford moving up to a higher classification is likely welcome news to Greater Latrobe, the Wildcats also have the talent and experience that could allow them to improve vastly this season.
Last season, Greater Latrobe went 7-7 in Class 5A Section 3, and had an overall winning record, despite not having a senior on the roster by the end of the season. Thus, every contributor is back, headlined by junior forward Anna Rafferty. Rafferty, who stands 6-foot-2, averaged 12.6 points and 10 rebounds last year, and she has garnered a Division I offer. Rafferty wasn’t the only player who averaged in double figures, however, as senior guard Rachel Ridilla contributed 10.2 points, while 6-foot-1 sophomore Emma Blair grabbed 10 rebounds per game, in addition to 9.3 points. Blair also led the team in minutes as a freshman, and she too could be a DI prospect, according to head coach Mark Burkardt.
Senior Ava Vitula slots in as the shooting guard, while senior Lexi Weatherton and junior Bailey Watson will both see time at the point. Meanwhile, junior Lizzie Planinsek and sophomore Camille Dominick are versatile options, both of whom can play at either guard or forward. Senior Lexi McNeil, a strong defender, rounds out the returning letterwinnners, while freshman shooting guard Elle Snyder could earn minutes.
“Our strengths this season are our senior leadership, depth, and versatility,” said Burkardt, who is in his sixth season at the helm. “We have the ability to play a variety of ways with a variety of lineups.”
Class 5A expanded from three sections to four, so the Wildcats will navigate a new slate. Previous section opponents Woodland Hills and Penn Hills will join Greater Latrobe in the new section, as will Gateway, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, and McKeesport Area. The Wolverines and Gators both won their sections last campaign, while Penn Hills and McKeesport also made the postseason.
“Our goal is to contend with the teams in our very difficult section; Every game should be a battle within our section,” Burkardt noted.