Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week for Feb. 5, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 12:04 AM

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Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week: Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils

Coach: Joey David (23rd season)

Record: 7-1 in Section 2-6A, 16-3 overall

Last year: Mt. Lebanon finished in second place in Section 2-6A with a record of 8-2, one game behind front-running Upper St. Clair. The Blue Devils were the No. 4 seed in the 6A postseason and opened with a quarterfinal victory over Butler, 55-50. Lebo then lost to New Castle in the WPIAL semifinals, 58-41. Its season ended with a loss to rival USC in the 6A consolation game, 55-54.

#Earned: The Blue Devils entered the week tied with Upper St. Clair for first place one game ahead of Baldwin after beating the Highlanders the previous Friday. Mt. Lebanon headed east to Hempfield and took care of business with a quick start against an improving Spartans team, winning 64-49 for the team’s third straight victory and seventh win in its last nine games. That set up a showdown for first place Friday at home against an Upper St. Clair team that handed Lebo its only section loss Jan. 9. The Blue Devils led by one point after three quarters before taking control in the fourth, outscoring the visiting Panthers 24-8 to win 60-43 and take over sole possession of the top spot.

Scoring stars: It has been a balanced scoring attack for Mt. Lebanon this season with all five starters capable of leading the team in scoring on any given night. The Blue Devils had four players in double-digit scoring against Hempfield with senior Nate Girod scoring 17 points, senior Brody Barber netting 15, sophomore Liam Sheely scoring 14 and senior Riley Farabaugh adding 12. In the showdown against USC, Girod led the way again with 23 points, Sheely scored 20 and Barber chipped in with 13.

Remember when: Over the last half-century, Mt. Lebanon seems to contend year in and year out. Under legendary coach Dick Black, the Blue Devils captured gold in 1961 with a victory over Uniontown. Lebo’s title drought was broken after 45 years in 2006. After losing in the district finals in 1967, 1990, 1992 and in 2005, Mt. Lebanon defeated McKeesport, 56-46, to win the school’s second boys basketball crown and the first under Joey David. Since then, the Blue Devils have doubled their district championships, winning in 2010 and 2019 and could be the top seed in the 2024 postseason if they finish strong.

2024 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Teams of the Week

Week 4 – South Allegheny Gladiators

Week 3 – Central Catholic Vikings

Week 2 – Gateway Gators

Week 1 – Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions

Tags: Mt. lebanon