By JEREMY SELLEW
When the McKeesport boys basketball team met in the weight room after school Monday to get a lift in, head coach Kevin Kovach said the mood was electric.
It’s a feeling that spread around the region for local basketball, wrestling and swimming teams as the governor’s mandated shutdown expired meaning high school sports can continue.
“Everyone was just so happy to be back. Now we’re excited to get to play Friday. They’re really pumped to play Saturday because they know the champs are coming in,” Kovach said.
McKeesport will travel to Mt. Pleasant Friday for its season opener before hosting defending Class 5A champion Laurel Highlands Saturday.
Teams that had their mandatory 15 practices in before the season was set to start Dec. 11 need to complete four practices before competing, making Friday opening night for those teams.
Teams that did not get to the 15-practice mark must have 10 total practices before games begin.
Undoubtedly, many teams feel they’re kind of behind the 8-ball.
“Being off for three weeks, it’s kind of like starting back at Day 1,” Monessen girls coach Janine Vertacnik said. “I think the priority for us over the next few days is getting them mentally prepared for the game. We play three games next week and I don’t want them to lose confidence if things don’t work out the way we want them to.
“This is a crazy season but I think the break kind of leveled the playing field a little bit.”
While the playing field is possibly leveled, the postseason isn’t out of reach for anyone after the WPIAL announced the season-ending tournament will be open for any teams wishing to participate.
The Greyhounds, instead of just aiming for a playoff berth, will aim for a high seed.
“It’s great to see them have that attitude,” Vertacnik said. “It changed our goal a little bit. With a young team, it’s great to see them have the drive. The difficult thing is the focus. It’s tough being at home all day and coming in to play a game. That’s something we’ll try to figure out.”
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