Monessen ran into a buzzsaw in the WPIAL boys basketball semifinals but bounced back to finish third in WPIAL Class A.
Though a 51-20 loss to eventual champion Neighborhood Academy taught the Greyhounds a few things about themselves and served as a measuring stick for their standing in the postseason, a 47-43 win over Nazareth Prep in the third-place consolation told coach Dan Bosnic his team has something left in the tank.
“We have spent a lot of time focusing on improving individually since our last game,” Bosnic said. “This week, we have turned our attention to Elk County Catholic and the things we ‘ll have to do well as a team to be successful on Friday night.”
Monessen (13-10) will visit Elk County Catholic (24-2), the District 9 champion, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the PIAA first round.
The Greyhounds last made the PIAA playoffs in 2023-24 and lost in the first round to Elk County Catholic, 85-54. The Greyhounds reached the state semifinals in 2018-19 and 2016-17.
Monessen has two state titles (1987-88 and 1988-89).
Monessen chose not to scrimmage this week, rather harnessing the momentum from its last win and building on it with concentrated practices.
“Elk County Catholic is a quality team. They shoot the ball well and play good defense,” Bosnic said. “We will need to get out on their shooters and rebound well. I believe it is important for us to get out to a good start, something we have struggled with in recent games. We have had good practices since our last game, so we hope there is a carryover. We want to show that improvement on Friday.”
Tayvin Craggette had 17 points, and Rodney Johnson added 12 in the victory over Nazareth Prep, which secured Monessen’s 28th state playoff berth.
TJ Taylor and Johnson, a third-year starter, both average 12 points to lead the Greyhounds. Craggette averages 10.
Elk County Catholic will be a challenge. It won its 29th District 9 title with a 50-44 win over Johnsonburg. ECC made the second round last year and lost to Neighborhood Academy, 63-44.
Monessen has not won a state playoff game since 2019. It reached the semifinals that year under the leadership of longtime coach Joe Salvino, who went on to coach at Belle Vernon.
Bosnic would enjoy stealing a win in the PIAA bracket.
“This is a great time to still be playing,” Bosnic said. “We know anything can happen this time of year. We are trying to make sure we are playing our best basketball. We will need to play well defensively, create turnovers and win the rebounding category by a wide margin to be successful on Friday.”