Penn-Trafford Warriors Boys

Head Coach: Doug Kelly – 6th season

Conference: Class 5A Section 1

Last Season: 14-13 overall, lost to Mars Area in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals; lost to Hershey in the PIAA first round

Key Losses: Tyler Anthony, Evan Gross, Jack Weishaar, Brayden Stone

Key Returners: Zach Feldman, Tyler Boss, Ben Lenart, Peyton Mastro, Ethan McDonald, Nick Ponko

Promising Newcomers: Anthony Stagno, Owen Hodge, Trent Brown, Jacob Briggs, Blake Fasso, Will Sarsfield

Last campaign was clearly a step in the right direction for the Penn-Trafford boys. The Warriors not only finished with a winning record for the first time in four years, they also registered a stunning upset of Baldwin in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, which also allowed them to qualify for the state tournament.

While the Warriors must replace several valuable contributors from that squad, a half dozen players who were in the rotation last season are back in the fold. That group is headlined by senior forward Zach Feldman, who averaged 14 points per game in 2024-25. Classmate and point guard Tyler Boss, who head coach Doug Kelly calls the team’s motor, will be relied upon heavily once again this season. Also in the mix are senior guards Ben Lenart and Peyton Mastro, as well as juniors forward Ethan McDonald and guard/forward Nick Ponko.

Kelly has also tabbed several others who could emerge as key cogs for the Warriors. Senior guard Anthony Stagno is back with the team after not playing the past two seasons. Also back is senior forward Jacob Briggs, who was sidelined last campaign with a back injury. A pair of junior guards, Trent Brown and Will Sarsfield, will provide high energy, while Blake Fasso and Owen Hodge are also competing for minutes.

Residing in Class 5A Section 1, the Warriors will aim to unseat defending section champion Uniontown Area, which went 14-0 in section play last season. Greater Latrobe and Gateway also placed ahead of PT, which finished fourth with a mark of 8-6 in the section. Franklin Regional also qualified for the playoffs from the section, while McKeesport Area, Albert Gallatin, and Laurel Highlands will seek improved campaigns.

Kelly, in his sixth season at the helm of the Warriors, noted that his players have their sights set high this year.

“Winning our section is always a goal our guys have,” he revealed. “It's been a while - guys are hungry.”

Before opening up the section slate at Franklin Regional on Dec. 12, the Warriors will have a pair notable nonsection tilts on the road, playing Norwin and Baldwin.

Penn-Trafford Warriors Girls

Head Coach: Chuck Fontana – 1st season

Conference: Class 5A Section 2

Last Season: 25-2 overall, lost to Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals; lost to Middletown in the PIAA first round

Key Losses: Lauren Marton, Kamryn Pieper

Key Returners: Torrie DeStefano, Hanna Weishaar, Olivia Weishaar, Isabella Fontana, Raya Johnson

Promising Newcomers: Arabelle Nichols, Annabelle Aquino, Sara Radocay-Blansett, Ava Jenesky, Tori Yurt, Brooke Boss

Last season was one of the record books for Penn-Trafford, as the Warriors finished the regular season undefeated at 22-0. After a win in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, however, the Warriors were upset by Thomas Jefferson in the quarterfinals, ending the hopes of a second WPIAL crown in program history.

After PT responded with a pair of victories in the consolation rounds, the Warriors saw their season end in the first round of the state playoffs, as they concluded with a record of 25-2.

The Warriors will have a different look this season, as they not only graduated a pair of multi-year contributors, but veteran head coach John Giannikas also stepped down after 19 years at the helm. In his place, former assistant Chuck Fontana has ascended to the top position, and he hopes to maintain the program’s strong tradition.

To do so, the Warriors must replace Lauren Marton and Kamryn Pieper, both of whom have continued their careers at the Division II level. Marton, who paced PT with 11.2 points and 7 rebounds per game, is now playing at Shippensburg University. Pieper, meanwhile, produced 8.5 points and 6 boards per contest last campaign, and she’s now plying her trade at Point Park University.

However, Penn-Trafford returns a strong group of players, led by senior guard Torrie DeStefano. A Seton Hill University pledge, DeStefano averaged 10.2 points last campaign, while also racking up 72 steals and shooting 84 percent at the foul line. Senior twins Hanna and Olivia Weishaar are also back in the mix. Hanna averaged 5.2 points per game, while Olivia posted 2.9 points per contest and hit on 36 percent of her shots from distance. Isabella Fontana, a junior guard, registered 6.5 points per game, shooting 34 percent behind the arc and 74 percent at the charity stripe. Moreover, sophomore Raya Johnson posted 5.2 points per game while shooting 33 percent from 3-point range in 2024-25.

The Warriors will also boast a deep team once again, as seniors Arabelle Nichols and Annabelle Aquino, juniors Sara Radocay-Blansett and Ava Jenesky, and sophomores Tori Yurt and Brooke Boss will all likely contribute this campaign.

“This team is a very close group who play for each other and are committed to the team concept; just a great group of kids,” stressed Fontana.

While PT went 12-0 to cruise to the title in Class 5A Section 2 last season, runner-up Indiana Area appears to be formidable once again this year. Greater Latrobe and Greensburg Salem also qualified for the playoffs last season, while Kiski Area, McKeesport Area, and West Mifflin Area missed the cut.

The Warriors commence the campaign with a pair of games at the Play 4 Mae Tournament at Woodland Hills, followed by a rivalry clash at Norwin. The section lid-lifter is on Dec. 11 at Greensburg Salem.