2021 High School Basketball Preview: Penn-Trafford Warriors
Written by: Sean Meyers
January 11, 2021
Tags: Chase Vecchio Nick Crum Ben Myers Josh Kapcin Jarred Schoffstall Silas Koscho Tyler Campbell Noah Wright Johnny DeMarchis Dylan Armstrong Tommy Kalkstein Jason Sabol Tyler Freas Nathan Crum Mackenzie Powell Maura Suman Allie Prady Olivia Pepple
Chase Vecchio and Maura Suman return to lead the Penn-Trafford basketball teams this season. (Photos by www.westernpasports.com)
Penn-Trafford Warriors Boys
Head Coach: Doug Kelly – 1st season
Section: Class 6A Section 3
Last Season: 14-9 overall record - lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in WPIAL Class 6A first round
Key Losses: Zach Rocco
Key Returners: Chase Vecchio, Nick Crum, Ben Myers, Josh Kapcin, Jarred Schoffstall, Silas Koscho
Promising Newcomers: Tyler Campbell, Noah Wright, Johnny DeMarchis, Dylan Armstrong, Tommy Kalkstein, Jason Sabol, Tyler Freas, Nathan Crum
Although just one player graduated from last season’s team, Penn-Trafford could have a much different look this season. That’s because the player who moved on, Zach Rocco, was the top scorer and leader for the squad. But Zach is not the only Rocco who moved on, as his father Jim Rocco stepped down after five seasons as the head coach.
Taking over at the helm is Doug Kelly, who served as the head coach at Franklin Regional more than a decade ago, and more recently was an assistant at Penn-Trafford.
Kelly inherits the vast majority of contributors from last year’s squad that won 14 games and reached the WPIAL 6A playoffs. From there, the Warriors suffered a first-round exit with a 50-35 loss to Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
Although the younger Rocco, who scored more than 1,000 points in his career, is now playing at Army, starters Chase Vecchio, Nick Crum, Ben Myers, and Josh Kapcin are all back. Vecchio, a senior, is the point guard and floor general, noted for his basketball IQ and leadership qualities. Fellow senior Kapcin, and Crum, a junior, will also start in the backcourt. Myers, meanwhile, stands 6-foot-6, and has improved drastically from last campaign.
The Warriors boast some size in addition to Myers, as senior Tyler Campbell is also 6-foot-6, and appears poised for a big role.
“Our improved post play has been a pleasant surprise, and we are excited for their potential this season,” Kelly said of the forward duo. “They both have worked very hard in the offseason and have really pushed each other in practice every day.”
Additionally, seniors Jarred Schoffstall and Silas Koscho will provide valuable depth at guard, while junior Noah Wright, who also earned minutes a season ago, should make a bigger impact in 2020-21.
Other players who are looking to crack the varsity lineup include senior Dylan Armstrong, junior Johnny DeMarchis, sophomore Tommy Kalkstein, and freshmen Jason Sabol, Tyler Freas, and Nathan Crum.
“Overall, we have a group of players who compete every day in practice and are making each other better. This group plays extremely hard and we love their ‘Pack a lunch pale and go to work’ mindset,” Kelly detailed.
After a third-place finish a season ago, the Warriors will face a modified section. Undefeated section champion Fox Chapel Area returns, as does Hempfield Area, which also finished ahead of the PT, and Norwin, which missed the playoffs. However, Greensburg Salem shifts up from 5A to join the section, while Pittsburgh Central Catholic shifts over from Section 1.
“We realize that every game will be a challenge and a fight in our section,” Kelly stated. “We want to keep improving from where Coach Jim Rocco had the program, and focus on daily improvements and give our players the opportunity to play with extreme confidence.”
So far, so good, as the Warriors notched a 61-50 home victory against North Allegheny prior to the pause of high-school athletics.
Penn-Trafford Warriors Girls
Head Coach: John Giannikas – 15th season
Section: Class 6A Section 1
Last Season: 15-8 overall record - lost to Gateway in WPIAL 5A first round
Key Losses: Bella Long, Morgan Hilty
Key Returners: Mackenzie Powell, Maura Suman, Allie Prady
Promising Newcomers: Olivia Pepple
Each of the past two seasons, Penn-Trafford clinched a playoff berth in dramatic fashion, defeating Greater Latrobe in the section finale in a win-and-you’re-in scenario both times. In 2019-20, the playoff game was just as dramatic, as the Warriors nearly upset No. 6 seed Gateway, falling 37-36.
Penn-Trafford has since graduated one of the best players in program history, and has moved up to 6A, the largest classification in the state. With three of their top players back and another half dozen that are ready to contribute, though, the Warriors still have a promising outlook for this campaign.
“I'm really excited for this team,” said veteran head coach John Giannikas. “We have really good skill at the guard position and they can get up and down the floor quickly. So far, they have shown to be very unselfish and move the ball very well.”
Three players who averaged in double figures in scoring are back for PT, including versatile junior Maura Suman, who is already garnering college attention. The guard led PT in assists and ranked second in rebounds a season ago, while averaging approximately 11 points per game. She’s joined by senior guards Allie Prady and Kenzie Powell, both of whom have started since their freshman seasons. Prady, a Fairmont State University softball commit, was second in scoring a season ago, averaging approximately 12 points, while Powell, who will play both basketball and soccer at Westminster College, contributed approximately 10 points per contest.
That trio may have to all increase their production to fill the void left by Bella Long, who graduated. Long paced the Warriors in scoring (14 points per game), rebounding, and three-pointers made. She holds the school record for career three pointers made, and she’s continuing her career on the hardwood at Slippery Rock University. Another notable player, Morgan Hilty, also graduated after filling roles as both a starter and reserve last year.
The Warriors boast depth behind their top three players, however. Seniors Brooke Cleland and Jada Czesnakowski played reserve roles last year, while sophomores Madison Setzanfand, Lilly Palladino, and Kylee Piconi are also back in the fold. Setzanfand, a 5-foot-8 forward, started several games as a freshman last campaign. Freshman guard Olivia Pepple is also expected to see varsity minutes this season.
Penn-Trafford opened the season with a lopsided win against Sto-Rox 49-21 in nonconference play, but when the season resumes, the Warriors will face a challenging section slate. Competing in 6A Section 1, PT will face defending section co-champs Norwin and North Allegheny, as well as playoff qualifier Seneca Valley, and Shaler Area, Butler Area, North Hills, and Pine-Richland.
“Every team has solid talent, with many of those players already committed to play at the next level,” Giannikas stated. “Combine that talent with each team being very well-coached, it adds up to a heck of a section and a big challenge.
“We plan to contend for a playoff spot in our new section in 6A. I like the team's competitive nature,” he continued.