Greater Latrobe Wildcats Boys

Head Coach: Brad Wetzel – 24th season

Conference: Class 5A Section 1

Last Season: 21-7 overall, lost to Montour in WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals; lost to Greater Johnstown in PIAA Class 5A second round

Key Losses: John Wetzel, Max Butler, Kyle McNeil

Key Returners: Ian DeCerb, Andy Tatsch

Promising Newcomers: Sawyer Butina, Dom Scarton, Mikey Monios, Owen Teslovich, Rylan Linhart, Connor Leach, Alex Amond, Robert Young

Circle the Dates: Greater Latrobe will face Hempfield Area, now led by Wildcats all-time leading scorer Austin Butler, on December 2nd on WSN. The Wildcats open section play hosting Gateway on December 11th and will entertain Penn-Trafford on December 23rd.

The 2024-25 campaign will always be memorable for the Greater Latrobe boys basketball program, and in particular, head coach Brad Wetzel. Last season produced Wetzel’s 300th career victory, which came in a rare state playoff triumph.

The Wildcats finished the campaign with a record of 21-7, including three postseason wins. Greater Latrobe edged host Kiski Area 59-51 in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Although the Cats lost to top-seeded Montour in the quarterfinals, they rebounded with a consolation round win at Moon Area. In the state playoffs, Greater Latrobe trekked to Exeter Township, claiming a 64-58 victory that gave Wetzel his milestone win.

“That bus ride home, honestly, will be one I remember forever. Just a really satisfying win, for all kinds of reasons,” he revealed.

The Wildcats should have an opportunity to achieve plenty of success once again in 2025-26.

To do so, however, the Wildcats must replace the graduated quartet of John Wetzel, Max Butler, Kyle McNeil, and Brady Prohovic. Butler joined his three older brothers as 1,000-point scorers, and he’s now reunited with Landon at West Liberty University. Wetzel and Prohovic, meanwhile, continued on the gridiron at the University of Pittsburgh and Westminster College, respectively.

“They were such a competitive group … knew how the pulse of the team went, knew how to get to work,” Brad Wetzel detailed. “I think we were down (in the fourth quarter) in half the games we won. They were going to fight to the end, and that came to really help us establish the type of culture we want to be proud of and want to have at Latrobe.”

The latest group tasked with upholding that culture will include an accomplished duo of seniors – Andy Tatsch and Ian DeCerb. Tatsch, a Lehigh football pledge, is on the road to recovery from a football injury, and should be ready to contribute early in the season. DeCerb, meanwhile, has frequently displayed his uncanny athleticism for the past few years, but he’s now poised to become a complete player. Standing 6-foot-4, DeCerb has garnered the attention of the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy, as well as Division III schools.

Senior guard Sawyer Butina will take the reins as the orchestrator of the offense, a role that is rarely glamorous in Greater Latrobe’s system. Junior Dom Scarton and sophomore Mikey Monios are also expected to be regulars in the lineup for GL, while senior Owen Teslovich and juniors Rylan Linhart, Connor Leach, and Alex Amond are also vying for playing time.

A newcomer to the roster could also make an impact, as massive senior Robert Young joined the program after playing at Summit Academy last season.

“We’re built a little bit different. We’re so big. We’ve got some size we’re not used to having,” the veteran coach added.

Competing in Class 5A Section 1, the Wildcats will battle with several other postseason contenders. Last season, Uniontown Area ran the table in the section, finishing 14-0. At 10-4, the Wildcats tied for second with Gateway, while Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional also claimed playoff spots from the section. Additionally, McKeesport Area, Albert Gallatin, and Laurel Highlands were on the outside of the postseason.

Wetzel has tabbed the Warriors, Panthers, and Gators as the teams to watch entering the campaign.

Greater Latrobe opened its season over the weekend with a pair of impressive home wins, defeating Richland 70-31 and Indiana Area 71-57.

Greater Latrobe Wildcats Girls

Head Coach: Mackenzie Livingston – 3rd season

Conference: Class 5A Section 2

Last Season: 11-11 overall, lost to Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 5A first round

Key Losses: Carley Berk, Brylee Bodnar

Key Returners: Brianna Havrilla, Maggie Maiers, Miley Williams

Promising Newcomers: Sophia Drnjevich, Emry Bridge, Julianna Bolebosh, Morgan Maiers, Natalia Scekeres

Circle the Dates: Greater Latrobe begins the year at Quaker Valley on December 2nd and travels to section rival Penn-Trafford on December 16th on WSN. The Wildcats games against Greensburg Salem, who they finished one game ahead of last season, are on January 8th and February 2nd.

Greater Latrobe’s second year under the guidance of head coach Mackenzie Livingston ended similarly to her first campaign. In 2023-24, the Wildcats went 11-12 overall, finished in a tie for third place in the section, and lost in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A bracket. Last season, GL compiled a mark of 11-11, placed third in the section, and fell in the first round of the 5A playoffs.

This season, the Wildcats must overcome the loss of Carley Berk, who led them in both scoring and assists. Berk, now playing at Millersville University, averaged nearly 16 points for GL last season. Additionally, fellow starter Brylee Bodnar graduated.

Despite those notable losses, the Wildcats are certainly not devoid of talent. The most accomplished returner is 5-foot-10 junior forward Maggie Maiers, who racked up double doubles with regularity last season. Also, the Cats will lean heavily upon senior guard Brianna Havrilla and senior forward Miley Williams, both of whom started a year ago, along with fellow senior and captain Lindsey Gaskey.

Livingston expects several others to elevate their play this season, including junior guards Emry Bridge and Julianna Bolebosh, sophomore guards Sophia Drnjevich and Natalia Scekeres, and 6-foot freshman forward Morgan Maiers. Bridge, a point guard, will likely serve as the primary ball handler, while Bolebosh and Drnjevich could be disruptive defensive players.

Although Greater Latrobe enjoyed a few surges last season, including winning four of five games in the section, the Wildcats sputtered down the stretch, losing their final four tilts. That skid included an overtime loss against Indiana Area, as well as a 68-47 playoff setback at Thomas Jefferson.

The Little Indians, along with defending section champion Penn-Trafford, look to be the top contenders once again, while Greensburg Salem also made the playoffs as the fourth-place finisher. Kiski Area, McKeesport Area, and West Mifflin Area round out Class 5A Section 2.

Livingston has set the expectations at another playoff appearance, as well as making a run at the section crown.

Greater Latrobe opens the slate at Quaker Valley and hosts West Mifflin to begin section play on Dec. 11.