Derry Area Trojans Boys

Head Coach: Tom Esposito – 8th season of second stint (16th overall at Derry Area)

Conference: Class 4A Section 3

Last Season: 12-10 overall, lost to Central Valley in the WPIAL Class 4A first round

Key Losses: John Wasnick

Key Returners: Stanley Rajkovich, Brayden Robinson, Izak Lenhart, William Stockett-Harter

Promising Newcomers: Logan Irvin, Liam McMahen, Parker Petrosky, Hudson Fridley

Not long after Derry Area’s playoff loss at Central Valley in February, the Trojans began to shift focus to the 2025-26 campaign. With the vast majority of the roster returning for this season, combined with a productive offseason, the Trojans could emerge as a contender in Class 4A.

The Trojans finished with a mark of 12-10, including 8-4 in Class 4A Section 3. The highlight of the campaign was a four-game winning streak in December, culminating with a 67-61 overtime victory against eventual WPIAL champion Belle Vernon Area.

From that squad, John Wasnick, now playing baseball at Penn State Altoona, was the only key contributor who was lost to graduation. Meanwhile, senior Cason Long has opted not to play.

While the Trojans enter this season with just 10 players on the varsity roster, the group is both talented and experienced. The headliner is junior Stanley Rajkovich, a 6-foot-7 forward/guard who has been an impact player since his freshman year.

“He’s gotta get a lot of touches,” stated head coach Tom Esposito. “He just needs to play within himself and let the game come to him. He started doing that towards the end of the fall.”

A trio of seniors, guards Brayden Robinson and Izak Lenhart and forward/center Willie Stockett-Harter, will all play key roles. Robinson’s game combines athleticism with passion and hustle, while Lenhart and Stockett-Harter have both developed their strength.

Sophomore Logan Irvin, who started in the playoff game, will take over point guard duties on a full-time basis this season. His basketball IQ, combined with the ability to shoot from distance, should allow for a smooth transition. Junior guard Liam McMahen, who has emerged as a team leader, classmate Parker Petrosky, and sophomore Hudson Fridley will also garner significant minutes this year.

“Right now, we feel we’re eight deep,” Esposito revealed. “We’re going to be rotating players in and out as much as we can because of the style of basketball that we play.

“We had a very good offseason, which we started way back in April,” added Esposito.

While the Leopards are the defending section and district champs, Elizabeth Forward could be the favorite in the section. Last season, EF went 10-2 to finish in second place, and the Warriors return a bevy of skilled shooters. West Mifflin Area also qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-place finisher from the section, while Greensburg Salem, which tied for fifth, could take a leap. East Allegheny and Yough round out the section.

“It’s going to be a battle every night, and hopefully our exhibition schedule prepares us,” Esposito noted. “We feel we have the potential, but we just need to meet those expectations.”

The Trojans split their first two games of the campaign at the Burrell Tournament, defeating the host Buccaneers 62-55 but falling to Westmont Hilltop 58-54.

Derry Area begins section play at East Allegheny on Dec. 12.

Derry Area Trojans Girls

Head Coach: Ron Moore – 1st season

Conference: Class 4A Section 1

Last Season: 4-17 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Jane Huss

Key Returners: Lucie Loucks, Kylee Metcalf, Trinity Miller, Peyton Thomas, Lydia Harter, Marie Razpotnik, Giavonna Bucko

Promising Newcomers: Kathryn Thomas, Ashlyn Corbett

For the third season in a row, Derry Area girls basketball will be under different leadership. After just one year at the helm, Nathan Keller stepped away from the program following a 4-17 campaign in 2024-25. Now, Ron Moore is guiding the squad and has plenty of objectives he aims to achieve this season.

While the Trojans must replace standout Jane Huss, who is now competing in cross county at nearby Saint Vincent College, Derry Area returns more than a half-dozen players who saw meaningful minutes last campaign. That group of returners includes junior guards Kylee Metcalf and Trinity Miller, sophomore forwards Lucie Louks and Peyton Thomas, and sophomore guards Lydia Harter, Marie Razpotnik, and Giavonna Buchko.

Additionally, junior guard/forward Kathryn Thomas and freshman guard Ashley Corbett are in the mix for playing time.

Moore, who most recently coached at Washington, has set the following goals for the upcoming season: establish a new identity, improve skills by measurable percentages, develop a new ball handling committee, improve conditioning and strength, become a top five defensive team in the section, win the small battles every game, achieve a .500 home record, avenge two losses from last season, build a positive and accountable culture, and achieve development goals for every player.

“Build a team identity based on speed, toughness, and discipline,” detailed Moore. “The team identity should be: fast, fearless, and fundamentals. Use speed, conditioning, and effort to compete.”

The Trojans have the unenviable task of competing in Class 4A Section 1, which saw six teams qualify for the WPIAL playoffs last season. Oakland Catholic and North Catholic tied atop the section at 13-1 apiece, with the Eagles winning the WPIAL crown. Knoch and Burrell also amassed winning records in the section, while Highlands and Freeport Area tied for fifth place. The Trojans tied Valley with matching records of 1-13.

Moore hopes to improve upon the four wins from last campaign, as this season will set the foundation for more success in years to come.

Although Derry Area dropped the season opener 30-26 to Trinity Christian, the Trojans edged the host Dynamos 36-33 the next day at the Springdale Tournament.

Derry Area opens the section ledger on Dec. 11 at Freeport Area.