Gladiators have plenty to be proud of

Despite the sting of a state runner-up finish, South Allegheny can look back on a fantastic season.

The sting of Saturday’s PIAA championship loss is still there for the South Allegheny boys basketball team.

Head coach Tony DiCenzo feels it as well, but the longtime coach knows it won’t last long and it gets easier every day. He’s confident in that because he knows from experience.

In 2002, DiCenzo was part of the West Mifflin team that lost to Kennett in the Class 3A title game.

“It won’t take long. The bond me and my teammates have is unbreakable,” Di-Cenzo said. “We got put into the athletic hall of fame three or four years ago. Sitting there with those guys takes you right back to when you were 17-18 years old.

“The bond these guys are going to have for the rest of their lives is something special.”

This year’s Gladiators proved to be one of the best teams in the district’s long history. They’ll be recognized for years to come.

“Hopefully they’ll be remembered until another team eclipses that,” DiCenzo said. “The sting will wear off. They’ll be more mature and look back at how cool the experience was. It’s something that’s going to last a lifetime.”

In the past six seasons, the Gladiators sported an overall record of 128-34. This year’s senior class won three of four section titles with an impressive 47-4 record on their home floor.

“The true definition of a progam is maintaining the same standard, even though the names change,” DiCenzo added. “The results, they stay the same.”

The Gladiators went on to win a WPIAL title, which may seem like a small consolation prize compared to losing in Hershey. But that’s the farthest thing from the truth.

“These guys did something that no other South Allegheny team has done. Yeah, we got there once and lost, but they got over the hump. I kind of thought coming into the season that Aliquippa was going to be the heavy favorite. I figured we were going to be on a collision course with them,” DiCenzo said. “I’m happy we were able to get over that hump. We have significant hardware to validate everything we’ve done over the past few years.”

Through the WPIAL and state playoff run, the passion and dedication the senior class showed to the program had a chance to shine through. DiCenzo said they may not have been the most-talented team he’s had, but there was one intangible that gave them an edge over every other team to pull on a Gladiators jersey.

“It’s their bond. Without a doubt, it was the bond they share with each other,” he said matter of factly. “Their bond was the greatest. With some other teams, all the basketball stuff was there. But this team, it was those intangibles. This team was the most connected, most selfless group. All the things you need to get to where we were.”

While there will always be some should have, would have or could haves when looking back on their 59-51 loss to Philadelphia Catholic League team West Catholic, DiCenzo is sure this team will have memories from the experience that will last for the rest of their lives.

“Our coaching staff was delivering the message about the bond they had all season long,” he said. “This group, this was really the first one to really appreciate that and apply it.”

There were seven seniors on the roster for this season’s Gladiators: Kian Ellis, Epps, Hunter Molanick, Josh Jackowski, James Anderson, Camden Lewis and Lanel Jamison.

Ellis and Molanick played key roles coming off the bench despite DiCenzo not going too far down the bench throughout the season.

The biggest losses will be Epps, Lewis and Jackowski, all starters.

“With Lewis, we’re definitely going to miss that physicality he brings,” Di-Cenzo said. “Josh, that kid made three of the biggest plays for us during our run. He had the steal and layup in the WPIAL title game, he hit a big 3-pointer in the semifinals against Aliquippa, then had the big dunk to seal the game. Those three plays are always going to be remembered throughout the school and community.”

Then there’s Epps. For the past seven seasons, there’s been an Epps (Antonio, Bryce and now Cam) on the roster.

“It’s going to be extremely odd walking into the gym and him not being a part of what we’re doing,” DiCenzo said as he got emotional. “The kid played over 120 games for us. That’s a lot to lose when it comes to experience.

“Now it’s time to turn it over to the Cooks I guess.”

Junior Drew Cook was the team’s leading scorer this year. He’ll return along with two brothers rising through the program.

“The stamp the Epps boys put on this program is immeasurable. I don’t think there’s a trio or family that’s had an impact on a program here like they have,” DiCenzo said. “Cam is an all-class, all-world kid and player. His defensive intensity and mindset are unmatched. He was the leader of this team and it’s not even close. Losing him is going to be the biggest loss we’ve ever had during my time here. The inspiration and emotion he played with, he wore that on his sleeve. You can’t replace that at the top of the table.”

The impact within the team will be ever- lasting, and the impact the team had throughout the community will last just as long. The community rallied around their Gladiators en masse. It’s something the players may not even realize.

“The support of the community is something that I will remember. It’s as rewarding as the team’s success for me as the head coach,” DiCenzo said. “We were able to galvanize a whole community through the whole run. The amount of people that have reached out and showed their appreciation is humbling.”

DiCenzo pointed to the pride of the people as a source of great motivation for his Gladiators.

“The support of the community and the school district really reminded me of my time at West Mifflin,” he said. “SA doesn’t have the richest athletic history, but there are a lot of proud people throughout these communities.

“The school district gave our kids a firstclass experience in this trip to Hershey. It was above and beyond what we expected. The kids will remember that experience for the rest of their lives. That’s the most important thing. We lost a game, but the time spent together and the experience of going through it together is what these kids should remember and be the most proud of. It was a special season they will remember for the rest of their lives.”