Hempfield Area Spartans Boys

Head Coach: Bill Swan – 11th year of second stint

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 4-18 overall – missed playoffs

Key Losses: Caden Biondi, Aaron Woodley, Matthew Vohs, RW Dornin

Key Returners: Drew Gordon, Maximus Williams, Danny Husenits, Dylan Firmstone, Dom Detruf

Promising Newcomers: Joey DeSantis, Jack Kopas, Trevor Donsen, Lucas Simmons

Last season was one to forget for Hempfield Area, as the Spartans won just four games overall, and went winless in Class 6A Section 2. The competition in the highest classification likely won’t get any easier this year, but the Spartans aim to make strides with their top three scorers and five total letterwinners back in the fold.

From last year’s squad, Caden Biondi and Aaron Woodley are notable losses, as both played key roles on a nightly basis. However, back are seniors Drew Gordon and Max Williams, and junior Danny Husenits. Gordon, a guard, averaged better than 13 points per game, while Williams, a 6-foot-7 forward, nearly averaged a double-double, surpassing 10 points and 8 rebounds per contest. Husenits also scored in double figures, averaging more than 10 points per game. Additionally, senior Dylan Firestone and junior Dom Detruf, standouts in baseball and football, respectively, earned valuable minutes on the hardwood last year.

A quartet of guards also appear poised for significant roles this season, as senior Joey DeSantis, juniors Jack Kopas and Trevor Donsen, and sophomore Lucas Simmons have shown promise throughout training camp.

The section has grown from last year, as the Spartans’ rival and several South Hills schools remain, while three new schools have entered the mix. Section 2 will consist of reigning WPIAL champions Upper St. Clair and Imani Christian, along with section winners Mount Lebanon and Pittsburgh Central Catholic, as well as Norwin, Canon-McMillan, and Connellsville Area.

“We have worked extremely hard to improve our skills and competitive spirit,” said veteran head coach Bill Swan. “We are prepared for the rigors of 6A and look forward to the challenge.”

Swan added a valuable piece to his staff, as former Seton Hill University women’s coach Mark Katarski will serve as an assistant.

The Spartans open the season on the road against Greater Latrobe, and they’ll follow by hosting the Hempfield Tournament, during which they’ll square off against Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional. The first section clash will be on Dec. 13 at Mount Lebanon.

Hempfield Area Spartans Girls

Head Coach: Bob Madison – 2nd season

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 8-14 overall – missed playoffs

Key Losses: Sarah Podkul, Ashley Hosni

Key Returners: Mia Shipman, Allie Cervola, Mads Pevarnik, Gabby Coccia, Ava Shipman, Katarina Devito

Promising Newcomers: Reagan Fisher, Lilly Houghtalen, Carina Rimmell, Bree Hess

After a strong start to last campaign, the Spartans sputtered once the calendar turned to 2024. Hempfield Area dropped 11 of its final 12 contests, with the lone win coming at home against Seneca Valley.

The Spartans graduated two key pieces from that squad, as Sarah Podkul opted to continue her career on the hardwood at Marietta College after averaging approximately 12 points per game, while Ashley Hosni has also moved on after scoring 10.5 points per contest.

Despite that, there’s reasons for optimism with the Spartans, as five players who saw significant minutes a year ago return. Senior Allie Cervola, a softball pledge to Ohio University, is the top returning scorer at 8 points per game. The other senior on the roster, forward Mia Shipman, posted 4 points per contest in 2023-24. A trio of juniors – guards Mads Pevarnik and Kat Devito and forward Gabby Coccia – will be expected to increase their production, while classmate Ava Shipman returns after missing her sophomore season with an ACL injury. Shipman flashed promise as a freshman, when she tallied 5 points per game.

Four underclassmen could also factor into the Spartans’ rotation this season, as sophomores Reagan Fisher and Bree Hess, as well as freshmen Lilly Houghtalen and Carina Rimmell, are vying for minutes. Fisher transferred into the district from Greensburg Central Catholic.

In shifting from Class 6A Section 1 to Section 2, the Spartans will be paired primarily with the South Hills teams. Westmoreland County foe Norwin, the reigning WPIAL Class 6A champion, will be the headliner in the realigned section, while Mount Lebanon and Upper St. Clair also made the postseason last campaign. Canon-McMillan and Connellsville Area, which bumps up from Class 5A, round out the section.

“We are moving over to a new section this year with some new faces,” detailed head coach Bob Madison, entering his second season at the helm. “Norwin comes over with us and will be very good again, even with the kids they graduated. Upper St. Clair and Mount Lebanon are established programs with a long history of success.”

The Spartans open the season with a road contest at McKeesport Area, and they commence the section ledger on the road, too, playing at Mount Lebanon on Dec. 19.