Momentum continues for Franklin Regional boys basketball after WPIAL runner-up campaign

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 | 5:06 PM

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After reaching the WPIAL finals last season for the first time since 1997, Franklin Regional boys basketball become all the rage in Murrysville.

The surge has carried over.

As a result, second-year coach Steve Scorpion decided to provide a community gathering for the team, fans and future Panthers with a “First Night” event to ring in a new season.

It was the Panthers’ answer to light-up night, and it was electric.

“There has been so much support, and so many kids want to play basketball here,” said Scorpion, a former standout guard for the Panthers. “We have 71 kids for our youth clinic.”

That happens with winning.

Scorpion coached a clinic Tuesday before last year’s team was honored and the current one introduced. An alumni game closed out the meet-and-greet event.

Scorpion invited a rookie to the event — and to numerous practices: his 10-week-old son, Steve, Jr.

“Little Scorp,” the proud father said. “He’ll sit and watch practice in his stroller.”

The team surprised father, mother and son with a “shower” after practice on Monday — cupcakes and well wishes abound.

“These guys are great,” Scorpion said. “They’re like a second family.”

Franklin Regional went 20-6, losing to Mars in the WPIAL Class 5A title game. Mars and Franklin Regional will be in the same section this season (Section 3-5A), along with Armstrong, Hampton, Indiana, Kiski Area, Plum and Shaler.

“Hopefully, we can keep this thing rolling,” Scorpion said. “We’ll get after it again.”

The section schedule will be challenging enough, but how about those nonsection games? The Panthers scheduled District 10 power Kennedy Catholic and WPIAL Class 6A’s Pine-Richland, the WPIAL runner-up and a PIAA semifinalist last season.

“My goal is to play the best,” Scorpion said. “This will help us get ready for section play.”

Just one starter returns in senior guard Nick Leopold, who will lead a backcourt that once again will have shooters like senior guard Thomas Merante.

“He’s going to be our big scorer,” Leopold said. “He can really shoot it.”

Other key players include senior guard Aidan Wiley, junior guard Logan Summerhill, senior forward Adam Rudzinski and 6-foot-7 junior forward-center Johnny O’Toole.

The Panthers again appear to have a nice inside-outside mix with size and ball-handlers. Scorpion’s fiery on-court personality was contagious last year and it could provide an edge to this group.

“We have guys who got minutes last year, but their roles will change,” Scorpion said. “We went 10 deep last year. We’re not as deep, but like I heard a college guy say, depth is underrated in practice and overrated in games.”

A number of key graduates will be challenging to replace in Nate Leopold, Hunter Stonecheck, Mike Bartolacci, Jake Rosenberg and Aidan Fisch.

“It’s tough to lose guys like that, some were three-year starters,” Nick Leopold said. “But we have some talented young guys who are ready to step in and play. It’s always our goal to get back to the Pete.”

Scorpion said Leopold will be the floor general. He said Merante and Summerhill were impressive in the spring and summer months.

“Nick has a super-high basketball IQ,” the coach said. “He’s a play or two ahead.”

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Franklin Regional