Mount Pleasant Area Vikings Boys

Head Coach: TJ Kravits – 2nd season

Conference: Class 4A Section 3

Last Season: 9-9 record overall – Lost to North Catholic in the WPIAL 4A first round

Key Losses: Nate Kubasky, Jonas King, Lucas Toohey, Tyler Salvatore, Jacob Bungard, Nicholas Yurechko

Key Returners: Aden Wisnewski, Dante Gillonardo, Brayden Calietri, Ryan Borkowski, Demetrio Sherbondy, Yukon Daniels

Promising Newcomers: Dylan Donitzen, Cody Surma, Matt Shrum

In his first year guiding the Mount Pleasant Area boys team, head coach TJ Kravits led the Vikings to a winning record in section play, and a playoff victory in the WPIAL Class 4A preliminary round.

Mount Pleasant Area relied almost entirely on seniors a season ago, however, so Kravits will turn to mostly unproven players for the upcoming campaign.

Gone are the top six players in the rotation - Nate Kubasky, Jonas King, Lucas Toohey, Tyler Salvatore, Jacob Bungard, Nicholas Yurechko. Kubasky and King ranked as the top scorers for the Vikings, as each averaged approximately 12 points per game.

Subsequently, the returners will take on significantly expanded roles. That includes Aden Wisnewski, a 6-foot-6 senior who will try to fill the void in the paint that was left by King. In summer and fall leagues, Wisnewski was a double-double threat, and he’s beginning to garner college interest. Sophomore Dante Gillonardo, who was hampered by an ankle injury last season, should be another solid offensive contributor. Junior Brayden Calietri is a defensive dynamo, senior Ryan Borkowski has displayed a shooting touch, senior Demetrio Sherbondy projects as an explosive slasher, and junior Yukon Daniels should also contribute on both ends of the floor.

The Vikings will also get reinforcements with three players returning to the hardwood after not playing in 2021. Junior Dylan Donitzen projects as the starting point guard, as he’s shown leadership as the floor general. Senior Cody Surma, who missed last campaign while recovering from injury, brings an interior presence, standing 6-foot-6. Additionally, Matt Shrum could be a factor offensively.

“We need to grow-up fast,” Kravits said of his inexperienced unit.

If not, the Vikings could struggle in Class 4A Section 3, which includes one of title favorites in Belle Vernon Area. The Leopards went undefeated in section play a year ago, while Elizabeth Forward finished second, and South Park came in third. The Vikings came in fourth place, ahead of Uniontown Area, Yough, and Southmoreland.

“It was a battle each and every game last season. I expect this year to be much of the same,” Kravits said.

Mount Pleasant Area Vikings Girls

Head Coach: Scott Giacobbi – 17th season

Conference: Class 4A Section 3

Last Season: 11-8 record overall – Lost to Southmoreland in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals

Key Losses: Haylie Brunson, Kara Leech, Kaycee Leech, Lexi Stanek, Hannah Tate

Key Returners: Tiffany Zelmore, Hannah Gesinski, Alli Bailey

Promising Newcomers: Riley Gesinski, Kennedi Rogers, Marissa Garn, Carly Smith, Kaylee Hutchinson, Melissa Davis, Shiann Stokes

Longtime Mount Pleasant Area girls basketball head coach Scott Giacobbi has enjoyed plenty of success during his tenure, as evidenced by his 211 career wins. The Vikings’ coach now aims to advance further than any of his past squads, however, and with a star player leading the way, that objective could be obtainable.

Junior forward Tiffany Zelmore should rank among the top players in the WPAL this season, as she produced 19.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last campaign. Giacobbi expects college interest to increase for his standout.

Zelmore is not the only prominent player to return from last season’s squad that went 11-8 overall and won a first-round playoff game against Freeport Area in Class 4A. Seniors Hannah Gesinski and Alli Bailey made notable contributions, as Gesinski averaged 5.8 points and 2.4 assists, while Bailey contributed 3.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.

Riley Gesinski, a sophomore, and senior Kennedi Rogers both saw playing time in 2021, but their roles are likely to expand this season. Other players who could contribute include seniors Kaylee Hutchinson, Melissa Davis and Shiann Stokes, as well as junior forwards Melissa Garn and Carly Smith.

“Qualify for the WPIAL playoffs and advance farther than any previous Viking team,” Giacobbi stated of the team’s goals. “Play our best basketball as we approach February and contend for a section championship, (and) remain especially tough to beat on our home floor.”

Despite a strong finish to the season, the Vikings placed fifth in Class 4A Section 3, behind section champion Southmoreland, as well as West Mifflin, Belle Vernon Area, and Elizabeth Forward. Yough and Ligonier Valley rounded out the section.

“Southmoreland is the obvious returning favorite and our crosstown rival,” Giacobbi noted. “Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, and West Mifflin have been and will continue to be tough opponents from established programs. Yough has developed a great inside game and has been a challenging local rival. Ligonier Valley was new to our section last year and has beaten us in the past.”