Franklin Regional Panthers Boys

Head Coach: Jesse Reed – 4th season

Conference: Class 5A Section 1

Last Season: 27-4 overall, lost to Moon Area in WPIAL Class 5A Championship; lost to Imhotep Charter in PIAA Championship

Key Losses: Cam Rowell, Cooper Rankin, Colin Masten, Fin Hutchison

Key Returners: Connor Crossey, Drew Devola, Jack Spagnol

Promising Newcomers: Jonah Johnston, Dylan Carr, Mitchell Stonecheck, Anthony Mitchell, Webber Rankin, Logan Walter, Colin Holt, Cole Devola

Last season was one for the ages for Franklin Regional. The Panthers went from missing the playoffs the prior year to making the WPIAL and state title games in 2023-24. Although the Panthers narrowly lost to Moon Area in the WPIAL Class 5A championship, and also came up short against juggernaut Imhotep Institute Charter in the PIAA championship, FR compiled 27 wins along the way and produced arguably the best season in program history.

However, four of the five starters from that team have graduated, creating a massive void for the upcoming year. Gone are Cam Rowell, Cooper Rankin, Colin Masten, and Fin Hutchison, the top four scorers who are all playing college hoops. Rowell paced FR with 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds, and he matriculated to Washington & Jefferson College. Rankin, who is at La Roche University, compiled averages of 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Masten, who is suiting up for Westmoreland County Community College, registered 10 points and 3.5 boards per contest. Lastly, Hutchison, now playing at Seton Hill University, contributed an average of 7.6 points.

Senior guard Connor Crossey is the lone returning starter, as he produced 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds last campaign. Classmates Drew Devola and Jack Spagnol will also take on larger roles after playing as reserves last year, as Devola, a burly forward, posted. 2.1 points and 1.8 boards, while Spagnol, a guard, notched 1 point and 1.6 rebounds per game.

With plenty of minutes up for grabs, players vying for their first significant playing time include senior forwards Jonah Johnston and Dylan Carr, senior guard Mitchell Stonecheck, junior guard/forward Colin Holt, sophomore guards Anthony Mitchell, Webber Rankin, and Logan Walter, and sophomore forward Cole Devola.

Last season, the Panthers went 9-1 in Class 5A Section 3, finishing two games ahead of runner-up Gateway. FR has since shifted to Section 1, joined by the Gators and other previous section adversaries Greater Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, and McKeesport Area. While Kiski Area exited, newcomers Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown Area make an already-formidable section ledger even more imposing.

“Uniontown & Latrobe are most likely the odds-on favorites - going to be a tough section,” said Jesse Reed, entering his fourth year at the helm of Franklin Regional.

Despite the competition combined with the Panthers’ roster turnover, Reed aims for his team to compete for a playoff spot, and potentially, another section title.

Franklin Regional Panthers Girls

Head Coach: Bernie Pucka – 4th season

Conference: Class 5A Section 1

Last Season: 7-14 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Olivia Orndoff, Angelina Brush, Gabrielle Keough

Key Returners: Madison DeRiggi, Toryn Fulton, Addison Musto, Chloe Pucka, Anna Novelli

Promising Newcomers: Sierra Downs, Gemma Sadoski, Mia Brush, Madelyn Catello, Alyssa Bridges, Katherine Yaniga

Despite posting a record of 6-6 in Class 5A Section 1 last season, Franklin Regional missed the playoffs by a game, the third year in a row that the Panthers failed to qualify for postseason play. That drought could come to an end this season, however, as the Panthers bring back a handful of experienced players poised to move the program forward.

Despite their even mark in the section, FR struggled in nonconference tilts last year, including a four-game skid to begin the campaign. Thus, the Panthers finished at 7-14 overall.

Gone from that team are a trio of notable players, headlined by leading scorer Olivia Orndoff, who averaged 9.1 points per game. Angelina Brush, who is now playing at Westminster College, and Gabrielle Keough also graduated.

A quartet of accomplished seniors are back in the fold for 24-25, though. Point guard Madison DeRiggi, who averaged 6.6 points and 4 assists per game, will orchestrate the offense. Toryn Fulton, a 6-foot forward who is committed to Southern Florida for softball, posted averages of 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Addison Musto, a 5-foot-9 guard/forward who averaged 5.5 points, and 5-foot-10 forward Anna Novelli, a Grove City College commit who snagged 3.6 rebounds per tilt, add more size to the lineup. The fifth key returner is sophomore guard Chloe Pucka, who posted averages of 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds as a freshman.

That group will be augmented by senior guard Sierra Downs, junior guards Gemma Sadoski and Madelyn Catello, sophomore guard Mia Brush, freshman guard Katherine Yaniga, and freshman forward Alyssa Bridges.

Franklin Regional remains in Class 5A Section 1, while Plum, Penn Hills, and Gateway are also holdovers. While section champion Indiana Area, along with playoff participant Woodland Hills and Kiski Area exited, Armstrong, Fox Chapel Area, and Shaler Area shifted over from Section 2. The River Hawks not only claimed the section title last season, but also reached the WPIAL Class 5A Championship game.

“Every game is going to be a grind,” said head coach Bernie Pucka.

Pucka, in his fourth season leading FR, not only has established a goal to make the playoffs, but he has his sights set on competing for the section title, as well.

Franklin Regional opened the section slate Thursday with a 54-37 win at Plum.