When Alvis Rogers surprised some within the Gateway boys basketball community with his resignation in late August for family and personal reasons after seven seasons as Gators head coach, the athletic administration didn’t have to look far for his replacement.
Vern Benson, a trusted assistant to Rogers for several seasons, ascended to the helm of the program and continued the season preparation.
He helped his players navigate through the fall with league games at both Woodland Hills and Gateway.
“We played a lot of basketball,” said Benson who saw the Gators go 13-9 overall last season, tie Latrobe for second place (10-4) in Section 1-5A behind champion Uniontown, and play competitively in a 49-42 loss to No. 5 Moon in the WPIAL first round.
“We learned collectively how to work hard. It was an adjustment for some of the guys. For some of the younger guys, they had to go from junior high basketball to high school and experience the physicality and speed and talent level.
“But despite the change, it was business as usual. They were able to catch on quickly to what I wanted from them and my style of coaching. They continue to get better.”
Gateway has developed its early-season rotation around a trio of returning starters in 6-foot-6 senior guard Mykel Bruce-McCrommon, senior guard/forward Chris Settles and senior guard Jax Vovaris.
Seniors Nehemiah Nichols and Isaiah Allah also return after earning considerable varsity minutes last year.
“The main crew has been together since fourth or fifth grade, so the level of chemistry and comfort on offense and defense is there,” Settles said.
“We saw that all throughout the fall games. This is a good group, and I am really excited to see what we will do as I know what we can do.”
Bruce-McCrommon, who averaged 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds a game last season, continues to attract Division I college interest as the season ramps up. Arkansas head coach John Calipari watched him play over the summer, and the Razorbacks’ top assistant visited Gateway. Robert Morris and Duquesne are among the others hoping to see good things from Bruce-McCrommon this season.
“Mykel is just looking for his opportunity,” Benson said. “He has a lot of tools, and he continues to build his game. He can score, but he’s also very unselfish. He can pass the ball and get his teammates involved. He’s working hard and getting stronger.”
Benson got a chance to assess his team with a couple of scrimmages before it kicked off the season Nov. 29 against York Suburban at the Play 4 Mae Tournament at Woodland Hills High School.
It was a tough opener as the Gators suffered a 68-50 loss to the Trojans, a PIAA Class 5A quarterfinalist last year. Benson was able to take away some building blocks from the game despite the result.
Gateway was to get back to game action against Belle Vernon on Dec. 2 before opening section play at Latrobe on Thursday. The Gators host section foe Laurel Highlands next Tuesday (Dec. 16).
Gateway plays eight games in December and will cap the month with the Gateway holiday tournament against North Catholic and Deer Lakes.
“It is a good schedule that will tell us a lot about where we are and what we still need to work on,” Benson said.
“These kids want to be challenged and are looking forward to these (December) games.”
Benson said the section is solid from top to bottom and will be a grind every night.
“There’s just really good coaching and good players everywhere you look,” he said.
“Laurel Highlands was down a little bit last year from where they’ve been, but they were in our fall league, and they were pretty good. So that adds to what we expect will be a tough section. There will be no easy nights.”
Benson sees the potential for what his talented team can do in the section and also with an opportunity in the WPIAL playoffs. But he knows the work his players have to continue to put in to make it a reality.
“What you have on paper doesn’t make you a champion,” he said.
“You have to work for it every day, and these guys understand that. We want to work hard in practice and focus on the details and then translate that into games.”