Hempfield boys plan to pick up pace, close out more wins

By: Andrew John
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Even though the record might not show it, Hempfield boys basketball program found itself leading a majority of its losses at halftime last season. The Spartans just couldn’t put together a full game to pull out wins.

This season, coach Bill Swan hopes a change in pace as well as the lessons learned from last year will guide the Spartans to more victories with the majority of the starting lineup returning.

“We think we led 15-16 times at halftime in those 18 losses,” Swan said. “We learned you’ve got to come out of the locker room ready and be ready for the third quarter mentally and physically. We learned that we needed to be ready for up tempo. The game is very fast. We are going to try to pick up the pace a little bit.

“We’ve studied some teams that go up tempo to make the game go a little faster. If that means we give up a couple baskets here and there, we are hoping to trade for our own baskets on the other end. We are just looking to get out of the rut of playing so slow.”

Senior guard Drew Gordon will return for the Spartans. Gordon averaged 13.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and shot 37% from 3-point range last season.

Junior guard Danny Husenits and senior center Maximus Williams will also return. Husenits averaged 10.6 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 39% from 3 last season. Williams averaged 10.1 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

“There is no guarantee that you have people back that means success,” Swan said. “We are really happy with who we have back. It’s probably the best summer and fall we’ve had in a long time. We feel like we’ve gotten better.

“In 6A, it doesn’t matter that you’ve just gotten better. You got to be pretty darn good to compete on Tuesday and Friday.”

Senior guard Dylan Firmstone, who is a Penn State baseball commit, will be returning this year as well as junior forward Dom Detruf.

Senior guard Joey DeSantis, junior guard Trevor Donsen, junior guard Jack Kopas and sophomore guard Lucas Simmons will all be getting minutes this year for the Spartans.

Last season, the Spartans averaged 50.2 points per game while allowing 55.9.

The Spartans, who have 26 players on their roster, will look to replace the production lost by the graduation of guard Caden Biondi and forward Aaron Woodley.

“I think we were really humbled last year. I know the kids and I have worked really hard to change it and we are hoping it shows,” Swan said. “I think we are competing harder and I think our skill level has improved. I think we will be more prepared for the atmospheres.”

The Spartans will be part of Section 2-6A with Upper St. Clair, the defending WPIAL Class 6A champion, and Mt. Lebanon, which finished third in the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. Central Catholic, the fourth-place finisher, will also be part of the section.

Imani Christian, the WPIAL and PIAA Class A champions, have moved all the way up to Class 6A and will face the Spartans twice. The section will also include Norwin, Canon-McMillan and Connellsville. This year’s schedule will consist of 14 section games.

Hempfield will start their season a little bit earlier as it will tip-off at Latrobe in a nonsection matchup against an old foe on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. This will be the first matchup between the programs since they faced off Feb. 7, 2020. The Spartans won at home, 66-52.

The Spartans will then host their 20th annual tip-off tournament as they face Penn-Trafford on Dec. 6 at 7:45 p.m.

Hempfield boys at a glance

Last year’s record: 4-18 (0-10 Section 2-6A)

Returning starters: Drew Gordon (Sr., G), Maximus Williams (Sr., C), Danny Husenits (Jr., G)

Top newcomers: Joey DeSantis (Sr., G), Trevor Donsen (Jr., G), Jack Kopas (Jr., G), Lucas Simmons (So., G)

Tags: Hempfield