Brandon Sensor was happy to earn the opportunity to lead the Shaler boys basketball program. For one thing, Sensor got to be closer to home for his four children, who are all 6 and under.
Sensor and his family live in the Shaler district. He also has the interesting challenge of leading a transition from a successful era to future success. Longtime coach Rob Niederberger resigned after last season.
The Titans reached the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs during the last six seasons Niederberger was in charge. Last year, Shaler finished 25-4 with an appearance in the semifinals of the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.
The Titans, who dropped their season opener, 58-50, to Fox Chapel on Dec. 3, must replace eight seniors.
“We don’t return a lot of guys with varsity experience,” Sensor said. “We have a lot of new guys who are ready for an opportunity. This is a new team and a new era.”
Senior center Josh Berger is one of the returning players the Titans were hoping would contribute right away.
“I think we have athletic guards and a tough big man,” Sensor said. “We want to do well on the defensive side and value the ball.”
Sensor is well-suited to guiding a roster with growing players. During six seasons with Chartiers Valley, Sensor helped guide the Colts to an 88-46 record and reached the WPIAL finals in 2021. Sensor also coached a team in Cape Coral, Fla, where his teams went 57-27.
Sensor’s experience preparing for teams all over the WPIAL will be helpful for Shaler.
There will be some new wrinkles in section play for the Titans.
Shaler will open Section 2-5A play Dec. 12 when it visits Armstrong. The Titans also have to worry about Hampton, Indiana, Kiski, Penn Hill and Plum in section play.
Sensor said the Titans will work throughout the season on attacking programs in different ways. While there are many experienced coaches in the section, there will be plenty of turnover among their rosters that may mean their styles are slightly different.
“That always helps, but there are some teams on the schedule I’ve rarely played like Indiana and Kiski,” Sensor said. “I think it’s good not to start from scratch, but as players come and go, you have to tweak things. There’s a new learning curve.”