Gladiators look to accomplish mission

Head coach Tony DiCenzo knows his team faces “big challenge” against D-12’s West Catholic.

The final game of the season has arrived for the South Allegheny boys basketball team and the Gladiators have a chance to do something only 11 other teams will do this season.

Win it.

While the majority of teams end their season with a loss, the Gladiators can end their season on a high note by hoisting the PIAA championship trophy.

South Allegheny (26-3) will face District 12’s West Catholic (14-14) in the Class 3A state championship game today at 2 p.m.

West Catholic is a member of the Philadelphia Catholic League in District 12.

“Obviously, their record isn’t indicative of their play. They’re really deep,” South Allegheny head coach Tony DiCenzo said. “No one they bring in is incapable of making a play. They obviously played a great schedule and some really good teams.”

The Burrs advanced to the championship game with a buzzer-beating win over Holy Cross, 58-57, last Saturday.

“They’re very versatile and all have different skill sets,” DiCenzo said. “It’s going to be a big challenge.”

West Catholic has played competitive games against impressive competition. They’ve played Devon Prep, who is in 4A final. Neumann-Goretti beat the Burrs in a close game. NG played in Friday’s 5A championship.

The Gladiators advanced to the finals with a second win over Aliquippa in a rematch of the WPIAL championship game.

“Those two games against Aliquippa and this whole state run had us in stressful situations late in games,” DiCenzo said. “The last handful of weeks, playing against Trinity and Bishop Guilfoyle, too, it’s really prepared us to play in any situation and any type of game.”

The Gladiators will start with their group of senior guard Cam Epps (5-7, senior); Drew Cook (6-1, junior); Jake Uher (6-3, junior); Josh Jackowski (6-4, senior) and Camden Lewis (6-3, senior).

SA doesn’t go deep into their bench. Most of the minutes will come from Kian Ellis (62, senior) and Fischer Ielease (5-10, sophomore). Hunter Molanick (5-7, senior) has also seen some minutes in the postseason.

“We’re not as deep as them, but I think the one advantage we have is our leadership and our experience,” DiCenzo said. “A guy like Cam, he’s played in over 100 basketball games. (West Catholic) is a lot of underclassmen, so I think that’s our edge. We have biggame experience and great leadership from all of our guys.”

The Burrs usually feature a starting lineup of Jayvon Bird (No. 13, 6-3, sophomore); Xavier Fauntry (No. 55, 6-3, sophomore); Rahmir Speaks (No. 23, 6-2, sophomore); Yasai Rozier (No. 10, 6-4, sophomore) and Kingstone Wheatley (No. 22, 6-7, junior).

Burrs head coach Miguel Bocachica has been known to ride the hot hand and can send players like Naseem Perez (No. 2, 5-11, senior), Jaden Banner (No. 4, 6-6, senior), Saaid Lee (No. 1, 6-2, senior), Eric Scott (No. 21, 5-11, sophomore) and Nyiere Farlow (No. 12, Nyiere Farlow, 6-3, sophomore), into the game or even start them.

“(Wheatley), the big 6-7 kid, is active as heck around the basket,” DiCenzo said. “His motor doesn’t stop and controlling him on the offensive glass is going to be important. They play a handful of kids that are 6-5 or bigger, so I think they’re going to match up with our size. They have length on the perimeter and are really athletic. It’s really hard to gauge them on film.”

Wheatley has been receiving Division I offers and is leading the team at 12 points per game.

In an effort to prepare for the environment and playing in Hershey’s Giant Center, Di-Cenzo and the team worked out at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.

“It was nice to be able to have access there,” he said. “Really just for the shooting and getting acclimated to an arena setting against a high school gym. Our thought process was get them exposed to that. We didn’t shoot well in the WPIAL championship, so hopefully that will have a good impact on us.”

The Gladiators arrived in Hershey around 3:30 p.m. Friday. DiCenzo said he wanted to make sure to keep his players focused, but still enjoy and take in the experience.

“Being a coach here for 13 years, I’ve gotten a lot of texts and messages of congratulations,” DiCenzo said. “The biggest advice I’ve had was just to enjoy it. For most, it’s a once-in-a-lieftime experience.”

DiCenzo said the Gladiators have a strict itinerary for their trip. A trip to the chocolate factory is on the books, though.

“Every hour is accounted for. We’ll have a team meal then we’re going to go watch the Class 5A championship game in the evening,” he said. “I think that will help us get acquainted to the environment. We’ll have a brief meeting in the hotel and let them understand the plan for tomorrow.”

One thing is certain, the support will be there for the Gladiators. DiCenzo added that nearly two entire sections of the Giant Center will be filled with South Allegheny supporters. There was even a community meet-up planned at the Hershey Primanti Bros. restaurant Friday night. Although, he wasn’t sure if his team would be permitted to attend. He said it was up in the air as of late Friday afternoon.

“We have access to a local high school gym for a shootaround in the morning. We want to stay in our routine,” DiCenzo said. “We’ll have a team breakfast and give them some time to unwind before heading over to win that championship.”