Derry Area Trojans Boys

Head Coach: Tom Esposito – 7th season of second stint (16th overall at Derry Area)

Conference: Class 4A Section 3

Last Season: 15-9 overall, lost to Neshannock in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals; lost to Girard in PIAA first round

Key Losses: Nate Papuga, Brady Angus, Collin Bush, Roman Fridley

Key Returners: John Wasnick, Stanley Rajkovich, Cason Long, Brayden Robinson, William Stockett-Harter, Izak Lenhart

Promising Newcomers: Jake Handel, Logan Irvin

The 2023-24 season will always be special for Derry Area boys basketball. Not only did the Trojans advance past the first round of the WPIAL playoffs for the first time ever, but they also reached the state playoffs.

While the Trojans graduated significant firepower from that squad, the group of returners gives Derry Area reason to believe that last campaign set the stage for even more postseason success this year.

“Our guys have a taste of it,” explained veteran head coach Tom Esposito. “After the season we had last year, the guys have that buzz to try to achieve that and more, hopefully.”

While the Trojans enjoyed plenty of highlights during the 2023-24 regular season, Derry Area played in one of the most challenging sections in the entire WPIAL. As a result, DA went just 7-5 in Class 3A Section 4, finishing in fourth place behind Deer Lakes, Shady Side Academy, and Burrell.

Seeded No. 12 in the playoff bracket, the Trojans stunned fifth-seeded Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 54-53 for arguably the biggest win in team history. A narrow loss to Neshannock in the quarterfinals ended the hopes of WPIAL gold for the Trojans, but they rebounded with a win in the consolation rounds, securing their spot in the state playoffs for the first time.

Notable contributors from that team have moved though, including prolific scorer Nate Papuga and point guard Brady Angus. Papuga, who is now playing at Westmoreland County Community College, averaged 23.9 points. Angus, meanwhile, averaged 8.1 points and dished out a team-high 110 assists. Collin Bush and Roman Fridley also were rotational pieces for DA.

This season, the Trojans will lean heavily upon the duo of senior John Wasnick and sophomore Stanley Rajkovich. Wasnick, who will be a three-year starter, produced 9.1 points per game last campaign. His on-court production will not be his only contribution to the team this year, however.

“His role has drastically changed in the fact that he has the most experience,” Esposito noted. “We’re counting on him to provide leadership and to have the team under control on the court.”

Rajkovich, who impressed as a freshman, has grown to 6-foot-7 during the offseason. His averages of 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds were likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Juniors Cason Long and Brayden Robinson will take on expanded roles this campaign. Juniors William Stockett-Harter and Izak Lenhart and sophomore Liam McMahen should also carve out larger opportunities this season.

A couple of newcomers – junior Jake Handel and freshman Logan Irvin - also could be factors for the Trojans.

With realignment, the Trojans have bumped up to Class 4A for the next two seasons. As a result, Derry Area will compete in Section 3 along with Greensburg Salem, Yough, Belle Vernon Area, East Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, and West Mifflin Area. Last season, the Leopards and Warriors both made the postseason in Class 4A, while the Cougars qualified as co-section champs in Class 3A.

Having qualified for the postseason in six of the past seven years, and now with multiple postseason wins under their belt, the Trojans have become an enticing matchup for some of the top contenders across the district.

“Whenever schedules were coming out, I got calls from Quaker Valley, New Castle,” Esposito said. “We’re on the WPIAL map now.”

Derry Area Trojans Girls

Head Coach: Nate Keller – 1st season

Conference: Class 4A Section 1

Last Season: 5-15 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Samantha Gruska, Rachelle Marinchek, Ally Loucks

Key Returners: Rain Loucks, Kylee Metcalf, Trinity Miller, Rissa Loucks

Promising Newcomers: Lydia Harter, Marie Razpotnik, Lucie Loucks, Peyton Thomas, Allie Leonard, Giavonna Buchko, Monica Tavares

After taking over Derry Area late in the offseason, first-year head coach Nate Keller is tasked with guiding a youthful and experienced group. Keller, who served as an assistant with the program previously, replaced Gene Brisbane, who resigned in the fall after five years at the helm.

Last season, the Trojans went 5-15 overall, notching just a pair of wins in section play, both against winless Valley. To compound the issue, three key components from that squad graduated, and another opted not to play this season.

As a result, only four players with meaningful varsity experience return to the mix, and Keller will lean heavily upon that quartet. Senior Rain Loucks, a 6-foot forward, notched 44 points and 77 rebounds a year ago. She’ll be joined in the rotation by junior Rissa Loucks and sophomores Kylee Metcalf and Trinity Miller. The younger Loucks is a strong rebounder, while Metcalf is a talented shooter. Miller, who missed most of last season with injury, thrives as a slasher.

That group will be complimented by seven newcomers, including six freshmen – forwards Peyton Thomas and Allie Leonard, guard/forward Lucie Loucks, and guards Lydia Harter, Marie Razpotnik, and Giavonna Buchko. Additionally, senior foreign exchange student Monica Tavares has joined the team.

“We want the girls to attack, offensively and defensively. We’re very young and inexperienced, but we have the athletes,” detailed Keller. “We expect to improve with every game and see where that takes us. Who we are in December will not be who we are in February.”

An already formidable ledger in Class 4A Section 1 has become even more challenging, as Oakland Catholic dropped down from 5A, joining heavyweight holdovers North Catholic and Highlands. Knoch and Burrell, which bumped up from Class 3A, were also playoff teams last campaign.

“Every section game is going to be a battle from top to bottom, but we look forward to the challenge,” Keller detailed.

After a nonsection slate that includes Southmoreland and Jeannette, the Trojans will commence section play at home against Freeport Area on Dec. 12.