Hempfield Area Spartans Boys

Head Coach: Bill Swan – 10th year of second stint

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 8-14 overall – missed playoffs

Key Losses: Harrison Sowers, Carson Santangelo, Drew Hagins

Key Returners: Caden Biondi, Drew Gordon, Maximus Williams, Aaron Woodley, Matthew Vohs, Dom Detruf, Dylan Firmstone

Promising Newcomers: Danny Husenits, Jayson Watkins, RW Dornin

With just one returning letterwinner on last year’s squad, Hempfield Area endured some expected growing pains. The Spartans held their own in section play, however, winning three games, and battling down to the wire in two other contests.

Unlike last campaign, the vast majority of contributions are back in the mix for the Spartans this year, including four starters and seven letterwinners.

The lone starter lost to graduation was a significant one, however, as Harrison Sowers averaged 18 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. He has continued his career on the hardwood at Washington & Jefferson College.

In his absence, junior guard Drew Gordon could become the focal point of the offense. Gordon, whose older brother Sean was a standout player a few years ago, averaged 10 points and 3 boards last season. He’s expected to be joined in the starting lineup by classmate Maximus Williams, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward who averaged 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest a year ago. Also back are seniors Caden Biondi and Aaron Woodley. Biondi, a guard, scored 4 points and dished out 3 assists per game in 2022-23, while Woodley, a forward, contributed averages of 6 points and 4 rebounds.

Also back in the mix are senior guard Matthew Vohs, junior guard Dylan Firmstone, and sophomore forward Dom Detruf, who excelled as the quarterback for the football season in the fall.

Furthermore, senior forward Jayson Watkins, senior guard R.W. Dornin, and sophomore guard Danny Husenits appear ready to contribute this season for veteran head coach Bill Swan.

Last season, the Spartans finished fifth out of the sixth teams in Class 6A Section 2, missing the postseason by two games. Upper St. Clair took the section crown and reached the PIAA postseason last year, while Mount Lebanon finished in second place. Norwin and Baldwin were also playoff participants from the section, while Canon-McMillan finished winless in the section ledger.

“We expect to be improved and more ready for the rigors of our schedule,” noted Swan. “Not sure what that means in the win-loss column, but we will certainly compete, as always.”

Swan will be joined on the staff by assistants Tom Wilkins, Collin Bisignani, and Brian Julian.

Although the Spartans don’t open section play until a home tilt against Upper St. Clair on Jan. 2, Hempfield Area will battle Westmoreland County foes Kiski Area, Franklin Regional, and Greensburg Central Catholic prior to the holiday break. The Spartans will also be tested in road matchups at Fox Chapel Area and New Castle in the nonsection slate.

Hempfield Area Spartans Girls Basketball

Head Coach: Bob Madison – 1st season

Conference: Class 6A Section 1

Last Season: 9-13 overall – missed playoffs

Key Losses: Brooke McCoy

Key Returners: Sarah Podkul, Ashley Hosni, Mia Shipman

Promising Newcomers: Gabby Coccia, Mads Pevarnik, Katarina Devito, Allie Cervola, Kennedy Nelson, Riley Dunn

The 2022-23 season was a step in the right direction for Hempfield Area, as the Spartans improved their win total by four games. However, they still failed to qualify for the playoffs in Class 6A Section 1, finishing a game behind both Butler Area and Pine-Richland, which tied for third.

The offseason brought significant change, as Tom Brush stepped down after five years leading the program. Bob Madison, the husband of Spartans softball coach Tina Madison, takes the reins, and he’s hopeful the program can continue its upward trajectory.

“We want to have a winning record, qualify for the playoffs, and win a playoff game,” said Madison, who previously was an assistant at Laurel Highlands.

While the Spartans must fill the void left by the graduation of Brooke McCoy, who averaged 10.5 points and is now playing at Grove City College, several notable contributors return to the fold. Chief amongst that group are seniors Sarah Podkul and Ashley Hosni, who each averaged double figures scoring last season. Podkul, who is garnering Division III interest, netted 13 points per game in her junior campaign, and she has an outside shot at reaching the 1,000-point milestone by the end of the season. Moreover, junior forward Mia Shipman is back after averaging 5 points per contest.

Madison believes a half dozen other players could emerge as key contributors this season. That group includes senior forward Riley Dunn, juniors Allie Cervola and Kennedy Nelson, and sophomores Gabby Coccia, Mads Pevarnik, and Katarina Devito. Cervola, a softball standout who is committed to Ohio University, will use her length and athleticism on the defensive end of the floor, while Pevarnik and Devito have displayed offensive skill.

Another expected contributor, sophomore guard Ava Shipman, will be sidelined for the season after suffering a knee injury in the AAU circuit in the summer. Shipman averaged 5 points per game as a 9th grader.

Although Madison is new to Spartans basketball, he’s well aware of the challenges that await in the section. North Allegheny and Norwin, which split as section champs, will likely be the frontrunners once again. The Tigers won the WPIAL Class 6A title, while the Knights reached the state semifinals.

“Norwin brings everyone back, plus returns a girl who did not play last year due to injury. They are going to not only contend for a WPIAL title, but also a state title,” detailed Madison. “North Allegheny is strong again. They bring back numerous contributors.

“Those two are the gold standard of high school girls basketball - extremely well coached and disciplined,” he added.

The Golden Tornado and Rams also made the postseason, while Seneca Valley finished in last place.

Before opening the section ledger in January, the Spartans will battle Penn-Trafford, Kiski Area, North Hills, and Indiana Area, among others. Additional nonsection matchups against Greater Latrobe and Trinity loom later in the campaign.

Madison will be joined on the bench by former Seton Hill University standout Rena Enterline, as well as former Spartans player Maddy Dunn.