Injuries derailed the Penn-Trafford boys basketball season in 2023-24.
The Warriors played their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game against Thomas Jefferson without leading scorer Tyler Freas and point guard Jason Sabol.
Despite the injuries, which also sidelined Derek Carr and Carmen Metcalfe, the Warriors finished 11-12 overall and 5-5 in Section 3-5A.
This season, the Warriors and holdovers Franklin Regional, Gateway, Latrobe and McKeesport will form Section 1-5A with three teams — Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown — from Fayette County. Kiski Area moved to Section 2.
“Uniontown lost some key players, but it’s still very good,” Penn-Trafford coach Doug Kelly said. “I do not know much about Albert Gallatin or Laurel Highlands, but Franklin Regional will be tough. Latrobe has a lot of players back. Gateway is Gateway; it always has players. And McKeesport will be better.
“The section is going to be tough again. I love how our players worked in the offseason. I like our potential.”
The team returns two starters: senior and three-year starter Brayden Stone and Evan Gross, who became a starter late in the season because of an injury.
Kelly plans to move Stone from point guard to shooting guard because P-T has three other players — sophomore Nick Ponko, sophomore Tyler Boss and Carr, a senior — who can play the point.
Kelly said Ponko has a high ceiling.
Penn-Trafford graduated five seniors: Sabol, Ian Temple, Freas, Keith Otto and Metcalfe.
The other returning lettermen looking for starting jobs are Boss, senior Tyler Anthony, senior guard Jack Weishaar and junior forward Zach Feldman. Junior forward Jacob Briggs will miss the season with an injury that requires surgery.
“Jack does a lot of good things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Kelly said. “He’s been playing with confidence.”
Another player Kelly will count on is sophomore forward Ethan McDonald.
“Before we got word on Briggs’ upcoming surgery, Ethan was going to see a lot of junior varsity action,” Kelly said. “Now he’s getting baptized by fire. He is a tough kid, and we’re confident he can handle it.”
Others vying for playing time include sophomore guard Trent Brown, junior guard Peyton Mastro and junior guard Ben Lenart.
“We can play 11 guys and not lose a lot,” Kelly said. “We have a lot of guys can play various positions.”
Kelly said the injuries allowed other players to earn valuable playing time, which should help them and the team moving forward.
“I loved how the team responded despite the injuries,” Kelly said. “We were in the game against Thomas Jefferson into the fourth quarter.
“We just must learn to play better ball. It took some time to jell. We will see how things play out.”
Penn-Trafford boys at a glance
Coach: Doug Kelly
Last year’s record: 11-12 (5-5 Section 1-5A)
Returning starters: Brayden Stone (Sr., PG), Evan Gross (Sr., G).
Top newcomers: Nick Ponko (So., PG), Ethan McDonald (So., F), Peyton Mastro (Jr., G), Ben Lenart (Jr., F), Trent Brown (So., G).