Greensburg Central Catholic Boys

Head Coach: Christian Hyland – 4th season

Conference: Class 2A Section 3

Last Season: 19-5 overall – Lost to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in WPIAL Class 2A semifinals; Lost to Ridgway Area in PIAA Class 2A second round

Key Losses: Brevan Williams, Ryan Appleby

Key Returners: Tyree Turner, Franco Alvarez

Promising Newcomers: Ryan Kimmel, Jaydin Canady, Samir Crosby, Braden Riley, Brady O’Rourke, Liam Gallagher, Sean Walker

The 2021-22 season was another strong performance by the Greensburg Central Catholic boys, who won the section and prevailed in three postseason contests.

For the second year in a row, however, juggernaut Our Lady of the Sacred Heart denied the Centurions a chance at WPIAL gold. After the Chargers defeated the Centurions in the title game in 2021, OLSH overwhelmed GCC 77-42 in the semifinals last season.

Despite the graduation of some crucial players, the Centurions should be a contender once again this season under the guidance of head coach Christian Hyland.

Gone are starters Brevan Williams, Ryan Appleby, and Dylan Parsons. Williams, now playing at Carlow University, averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and was recognized as an All-State performer. Appleby, who continued his career at Seton Hill, posted averages of 12.3 points and 6.3 boards, while Parsons provided production in several categories.

A pair of talented junior starters return to the fold for GCC, though, with guard Tyree Turner and forward Franco Alvarez. Turner, who has started since his freshman year, averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last campaign. Alvarez was a key component in the paint, producing 7.3 points and 5.4 boards per contest in 2021-22.

An array of players are in the mix for valuable roles this season, including a pair of former Jeannette standouts who did not play last year. Seniors Ryan Kimmel and Jaydin Canady are expected to bolster the Centurions, while freshman Samir Crosby has the physical traits to make an impact. All three were star football players for the conference-winning Centurions in the fall. Other players vying for minutes include sophomores Braden Riley, Brady O’Rourke, Liam Gallagher, and Sean Walker.

Realignment expanded Class 2A Section 3 to seven teams, as GCC, Serra Catholic, Jeannette, and Clairton all remain, while Riverview, Springdale, and Leechburg enter the section. A year ago, the Eagles finished in second behind the Centurions, while Jeannette also made the playoffs. The Dynamos shift to a new section after qualifying for the postseason in Section 1 a year ago, while the Blue Devils move up after they qualified in Class 1A.

“Serra should have a very strong team back. Leechburg and Jeannette are always strong, also well coached, and have teams who play tough. Clairton, Springdale, and Riverview are all improving to make a strong section from top to bottom,” Hyland detailed.

Opening the season against larger schools in the Hempfield Tournament, the Centurions defeated Penn-Trafford, but fell to Franklin Regional.

Hyland has established lofty goals once again this year for the Centurions, as he aims for his squad to win the section, WPIAL, and PIAA titles.

Hyland, less than a decade removed from his playing career at GCC, added former Centurions teammate Brian Graytok to his coaching staff this year, joining Ed Zimmerlink, Chris Kallock, and Denny Hyland.

Greensburg Central Catholic Girls

Head Coach: Chris Skatell – 2nd season

Conference: Class 2A Section 3

Last Season: 18-5 overall – Lost to Seton-LaSalle in WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals

Key Losses: Bailey Kuhns, Meghan Zambruno, Madison Pisula, Emma Riley, Laura Kondas

Key Returners: Mya Morgan, Cara Dupilka, Cadie Peters

Promising Newcomers: Erica Gribble, Avery Davis, Erica Rodriguez, Abby Dlugos, Kaylin Reusser

A year ago, the Greensburg Central Catholic girls went undefeated in section play and advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals. That was a senior-laden group, though, so this year’s version of the Centurions will be much less experienced, albeit very talented.

The Centurions were hit hard by the graduation of vital contributors, such as Bailey Kuhns, now playing at Mercyhurst, as well as Meghan Zambruno, Madison Pisula, Emma Riley, and Laura Kondas.

As a result, junior Mya Morgan is the lone returning starter. A year ago, Morgan averaged 14 points, and she’s garnering college interest from Division II schools. Junior Cara Dupilka and senior Cadie Peters also saw some playing time last season in reserve roles, but they’ll be much more prominent this campaign.

Freshman Erica Gribble has the chance to be special. Gribble, whose older sisters were standout players at Norwin, has already garnered DI offers from St. Joes and the University of Buffalo, while several other notable schools have expressed interest. Gribble is one of several new players likely to earn minutes, as Norwin transfer Avery Davis, as well as sophomore Erica Rodriguez, freshman Abby Dlugos, and senior Kaylin Reusser are also likely to see plenty of time.

After posting a 10-0 mark in Class 2A Section 4 last season, the Centurions shift to Section 3, but will vie with some of the same teams. Winchester Thurston, which finished in second place behind GCC, Ellis School and Springdale all shifted along the Centurions. The rest of the section is comprised of Clairton, Steel Valley, and Serra Catholic. The Eagles also went undefeated in their section last season, while the Bears qualified for the postseason in Class 1A.

GCC opened the season with a pair of wins at the Greensburg Salem Tournament, defeating Ringgold and the host Golden Lions.

The Centurions’ nonsection slate includes a matchup against Seton-LaSalle, the team that bounced GCC from the playoffs last season, as well as road contests against Monessen and Yough.