With top scorers back, Greensburg Central Catholic boys in position to contend again

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

With its top two scorers back and four more players who spot-started at times last season joining them, Greensburg Central Catholic is a contender again in WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball.

“I like that this team has guys that are ready to step up,” senior guard Tyree Turner said. “A lot of juniors and sophomores have a chance to step into new roles. Our goal is to win a WPIAL championship, but we have a lot of work to do before we can think of having a run like that.”

Practice opens Friday, and GCC will take to its newly shined court.

The smell of lacquer was thick in the air. The smell of postseason basketball also could return for the Centurions, who went 18-7, advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for the third straight year and again qualified for the PIAA playoffs.

“Our juniors got some good time,” coach Christian Hyland said. “A lot of these guys have played together for three years now. Our juniors didn’t play freshman ball. They played JV right away.

“Most of our scoring is back. We might not be as athletic as we were, but our overall basketball IQ might be higher.”

Turner and senior 6-foot-5 forward Franco Alvarez are a potent inside-outside scoring combination.

Alvarez averaged 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 62.8% from the field.

Turner, a seasoned point guard and efficient football quarterback, was one of the top scorers in Westmoreland County at 20.3 points per game. He also registered 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals.

“It is their third year together,” Hyland said. “It’s a nice 1-2 punch to have.”

Sophomore Samir Crosby, who is expected to draw a number of Division I scholarship offers in football, would have been another valuable asset in the backcourt. But he decided not to play basketball as he works on strength training for football.

He has an offer from UNLV, with others likely to follow.

“We need him to go as far as we want to go,” Hyland said of Crosby. “Maybe he will join us later.”

The return of senior forward Anthony Semelka is a boost to the lineup, especially with Crosby missing. Semelka did not play last year.

“He can score in bunches,” Hyland said. “He adds to our size at 6-3.”

Juniors Liam Gallagher, Braden Riley, Sean Walker, and Ty Rozier are key returnees with experience. Junior Brady O’Rourke is an athletic presence in the frontcourt. Junior Maddox Mignogna also could figure into the rotation.

“It never seems to pan out the way you’re expecting as far as depth goes,” Hyland said. “But you hope to be able to count on them to do some valuable things.”

GCC lost to Aliquippa in the WPIAL semifinals. Hyland thinks the Quips are the team to beat again.

GCC’s schedule includes matchups with Bishop Canevin, Yough, Penn Hills and Berlin Brothersvalley.

Hyland noted the Centurions will leave the Greensburg area only once before the new year.

They open at the Hempfield tip-off tournament, host Bishop Canevin, Berlin Brothersvalley and Riverview and then play at the Greensburg Salem holiday tournament.

They play at Serra Catholic on Dec. 19.

Greensburg Central Catholic boys at a glance

Coach: Christian Hyland

Last year’s record: 18-7 (11-1 Section 3-2A)

Returning starters: Franco Alvarez (Sr., F), Tyree Turner, Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Brady O’Rourke (Jr., F), Anthony Semelka (Sr., F)

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.