Greensburg Salem Golden Lions Boys Basketball

Head Coach: Paul Sapotichne – 1st season of second stint (30th overall at Greensburg Salem)

Conference: Class 4A Section 3

Last Season: 4-17 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Ryan Burkart

Key Returners: Braedon Leatherman, Tyler Martin, Luke Rullo, Jack Douty

Promising Newcomers: Ty Harkcom, Solomon Cain, Brody Burkholder

For the better part of the past decade, Greensburg Salem has struggled on the hardwood. The Golden Lions won just four games last season, and have been far removed from the glory years when GS was a perennial contender.

Searching to return to that level, Greensburg Salem brought back the coach who guided the program to all of that success, as Paul Sapotichne is back at the helm for the first time since 2011.

“I feel fortunate that I am back because I really call Greensburg home,” said Sapotichne, who notched 399 career wins with the Golden Lions.

Sapotichne, who went to Riverview after his tenure with GS, had been retired from coaching for the past several years. When previous Greensburg Salem head coach Cam Auld left for Norwin in August, however, Sapotichne felt the time was right to return.

The Golden Lions lost a couple of key components from last season, as Ryan Burkart graduated and is now playing at Westmoreland County Community College, while AJ Tarpley transferred to Greensburg Central Catholic after an impressive freshman campaign.

In their absence, Greensburg Salem was lean heavily upon seniors Braedon Leatherman and Tyler Martin, as well as junior Luke Rullo. Additionally, Jack Douty is healthy and expected to contribute after missing an extended portion of his junior campaign with injury.

Additionally, juniors Ty Harkcom and Brody Burkholder, and freshman Solomon Cain, an impressive point guard, are likely to earn extended minutes this season.

“We can have success with some of the people that I have, that’s for sure,” said Sapotichne.

While Sapotichne has few equals in terms of experience, he added another veteran coach to his staff, as Gene Brisbane joined after most recently guiding Derry Area girls basketball for five seasons.

Competing in Class 4A Section 3, the Golden Lions will battle against Belle Vernon Area, Derry Area, Yough, Elizabeth Forward, East Allegheny, and West Mifflin Area. Sapotichne anticipates that the Leopards, Trojans, and Warriors will all be formidable foes.

Ultimately, he believes the Golden Lions have the potential to return to prominence.

“I would like to get back somewhere close to the level when I left – when we were winning sections or winning playoff games almost every year,” he said.

Greensburg Salem will participate in the Hempfield Tournament on Dec. 6-7, playing Connellsville Area and Greensburg Central Catholic. The section lid-lifter will take place on the road against Yough on Dec. 13.

Greensburg Salem Golden Lions Girls Basketball

Head Coach: Rick Klimchock – 8th season

Conference: Class 5A Section 2

Last Season: 16-9 overall, lost to Blackhawk in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals; lost to Highlands in the consolation

Key Losses: Kait Mankins, Ashlan Price, Gia Rosensteel, Kenzi Span

Key Returners: Regan Kerr, Blessing Gantt, Mya Heasley

Promising Newcomers: Sophie Beckerleg, Patty Redinger, Vienna Jevicky, Bella Dinkel

With a talented and experienced core last season, Greensburg Salem had big aspirations. The Golden Lions achieved plenty of success in 2023-24, winning 16 games, including a Class 4A playoff tilt against Hopewell.

The outlook could be drastically different this year, however, as the Golden Lions graduated a quartet of players who are now competing at the next level, while the program also moves up in classification.

Gone are Kait Mankins (D’Youville University), Ashlan Price (Allegheny College), Gia Rosensteel (Carlow University), and Kenzi Span (University of Pitt-Greensburg).

“Losing four college players and getting bumped up to 5A appears daunting,” Greensburg Salem head coach Rick Klimchock echoed. “GS girls had a productive offseason, but have to remain healthy and young players need to mature quickly.”

Klimchock will lean heavily upon his trio of experienced returners, as seniors Regan Kerr and Blessing Gantt and junior Mya Heasley will lead the way. Kerr, a 5-foot-11 guard, notched averages of 6.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season. She will run the point and guard the best player on the opposition, and aided by her cross-country background, Kerr could play every minute on most nights. Gantt, a 6-foot center, posted 5.7 points and 3.4 boards per contest in 23-24. She’s proven productive in the low post, and her numbers should increase significantly this year. Heasley, a 5-foot-3 guard, produced 2.9 points per contest last campaign. She’s noted for her shooting touch, as well as her competitiveness.

Several other Golden Lions will see significant roles for the first time at the varsity level, including sophomore forwards Sophie Beckerleg and Patty Redinger, as well as freshmen guards Vienna Jevicky and Bella Dinkel.

Height could be an asset for GS, as Beckerleg and Redinger stand 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-9, respectively, while Jevicky is 6-foot.

After competing in a stacked conference last season, the Golden Lions expect more challenges in Class 5A Section 2 this year. Penn-Trafford, Indiana Area, McKeesport Area, and Greater Latrobe were all playoff qualifiers last year in 5A, while West Mifflin Area made the postseason in Class 4A. Kiski Area is the lone section team that did not qualify for the playoffs in 23-24.

The Golden Lions will play against Westmoreland opponents Hempfield Area, Yough, and Southmoreland in the non-section, and they’ll commence the section ledger at PT on Dec. 12.

Klimchock will be joined on his staff by former Greensburg Salem boys player Jeff Mankins, as well as Rena Enterline, a former Seton Hill University player who coached at Hempfield Area last season.