Franklin Regional Panthers Boys

Head Coach: Jesse Reed – 3rd season

Conference: Class 5A Section 3

Last Season: 9-13 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Jake Kimmich, Max Leven

Key Returners: Cam Rowell, Cooper Rankin, Fin Hutchison, Colin Masten, Connor Crossey

Promising Newcomers: Drew Devola, Jack Spagnol, Jonah Johnston

The 2022-23 season was a tale of two halves for Franklin Regional, as the Panthers got off to a hot start, but they had a disastrous finish to the campaign. Plagued by injuries to key players, FR lost its final 10 games of the season, finishing 9-13 overall and missing the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

A pair of contributors have graduated, as Jake Kimmich and Max Leven were steady presences in the Panthers’ lineup. Kimmich, who averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds, just wrapped up his freshman season for Grove City College soccer, while Leven, who posted 6.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest, is playing football for Bridgeton Academy.

However, the Panthers return a strong core and hope to be playing their best basketball down the stretch, as they seek their first playoff appearance during the tenure of third-year head coach Jesse Reed.

Seniors Cam Rowell and Cooper Rankin will be instrumental in the team’s success, as they combined to score better than 31 points per game last season. Rowell, a guard/forward, led the Panthers with an average of 16 points and 6.7 boards. He’s garnered significant college interest on the hardwood, including from California University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pitt-Johnstown, Seton Hill University, West Liberty University, Saint Vincent College, Washington & Jefferson College, and York College. Rankin, a guard, registered 15.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 22-23. He’s received interest from Cal U and Waynesburg University.

Three others with significant varsity experience also return to the mix - seniors Fin Hutchison and Colin Masten, and junior Connor Crossey. Hutchison, a guard who produced 7.6 points per game last year, is getting collegiate looks from Slippery Rock University, Allegheny College, and Grove City College.

Three juniors, forwards Drew Devola and Johan Johnson, and guard Jack Spagnol, also appear poised to see minutes in the rotation.

Last season, the Panthers went 3-7 in Class 5A Section 3, which tied for last place with Greater Latrobe. However, those teams were just one game behind playoff qualifier Penn-Trafford. Gateway claimed the section crown, while McKeesport Area and Kiski Area also made the postseason.

“It’s a battle every night. Anyone can win the section, in my opinion,” Reed revealed.

Franklin Regional won its first two games of the season defeating Connellsville and Greensburg Central Catholic in the Hempfield Tip-Off Tournament. Prior to opening section play on Jan. 2 at home against Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional will face nonsection foes Hempfield Area, Butler Area, and Woodland Hills, and the Panthers will again host the Mike Rettger Memorial Tournament.

Franklin Regional Panthers Girls

Head Coach: Bernie Pucka – 3rd season

Conference: Class 5A Section 1

Last Season: 9-13 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Sarah Penrod, Avery Musto, Brooke Schirmer

Key Returners: Olivia Orndoff, Toryn Fulton, Gabrielle Keough, Angelina Brush

Promising Newcomers: Madison DeRiggi, Anna Novelli, Keira Sadoski, Addison Musto

Last season was a sign of progress for the Franklin Regional girls, as the Panthers improved both their overall and section records by three wins from the prior campaign. However, it still wasn’t enough to reach the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, as FR finished one game out of the postseason.

Third-year head coach Bernie Pucka believes his team can take the next step this season, as the Panthers hope to not only make the playoffs, but also potentially contend for section supremacy.

First, they must fill the void left by the graduation of Sarah Penrod, Avery Musto, and Brooke Schirmer. Penrod, now playing at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, paced the team in scoring last year, while Schirmer, who continued her career at Penn State Behrend, led FR in assists.

The group of returners is significant, however, led by junior forward Toryn Fulton. Fulton, who led the team in rebounding last year, is a softball commit to the University of South Florida. Senior guard Olivia Orndoff, a three-year letterwinner, and senior forward Gabrielle Keough will also be heavily leaned upon to lead the way.

Another key returner is guard Angelina Brush, although she will start the campaign on the sidelines after sustaining a torn ACL while playing AAU basketball in the spring.

“She’ll most likely be back in January, and hopefully provides us that springboard launching us into the playoffs this season,” Pucka revealed of his captain.

Among the players destined to carve out a larger role this season are senior guard Keira Sadoski, and juniors Madison DeRiggi, Anna Novelli, and Addison Musto.

With reigning Section 1 champion Indiana Area likely to regress, Penn Hills, Plum, and Kiski Area, all of which tied at 6-6 last year, appear to be top contenders. Woodland Hills, which also made the postseason in 2022-23, and Gateway, which went winless in section play last year, round out the competition.

The Panthers opened their season dropping a pair of games in the Laurel Highlands Tip-Off Tournament to Hempfield Area and Laurel Highlands. They open the section ledger at home against Woodland Hills on Dec. 14.