Kiski Area boys basketball team returns on a mission

By: Michael Love
Monday, November 18, 2024 | 5:46 PM

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The Kiski Area boys basketball team last season fell one win short of a berth in the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.

The Cavaliers suffered a two-point loss to Gateway in a seventh-place game with a spot in the state tournament on the line.

“That was the third time we played them,” Cavaliers fourth-year coach Corey Smith said. “It was a battle the whole game, and the result left a bad taste in our mouths. It still lingers a little bit, but at the same time, it’s a new season and a new beginning for those who are now the faces of Kiski Area basketball. The guys have worked hard and are ready to go.”

Several key seniors, including three starters led by top scorer and first-team all-section pick Isaiah Gonzalez, were lost to graduation.

But Smith said a solid core of players, fronted by returning starters in seniors Colin Keller and Carson Heinle, are hoping to come together and build on last year’s 15-10 record and appearance in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

“The guys were really competitive all season against a pretty tough schedule of teams,” Smith said. “When you see Kiski Area on your schedule, you’re going to get a team that has tough kids who play hard, are prepared and who play with pride.”

Heinle hopes to keep up the momentum from the football field where he led the Cavaliers to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with his arm and his legs.

He received honorable-mention section recognition last year.

“Confidence is at an all-time high for Carson,” Smith said. “He again transitioned very well from football to basketball. He comes in with a lot of enthusiasm. He is our leader, 100 percent. He is our voice on the floor and probably one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached.”

Keller, a senior guard, returns after picking up second-team all-section laurels as a junior.

“We’re looking for Colin to take that next step this year,” Smith said. “He had a great junior year. He played AAU right after last season, so he’s been in the gym. He’s been working. He’s been training. Colin is really looking good so far in practice.”

Junior Amaree Gonzalez is back and will run the point for the Cavaliers.

He transferred to Imani Christian over the summer but later came back to Kiski before the start of the school year. As a result, he has been ruled ineligible for the playoffs.

Gonzalez played football and, like Heinle, has made the transition to the basketball court.

“Amaree took a couple of their new enrollment summer classes and took part in a couple of open gyms, and then decided it wasn’t the right fit for him, and he came back,” Smith said.

“He’s a great kid. He’s always team-first. He’s working hard and looking forward to a great season in leading our offense.”

Kiski will host Norwin and North Hills in a scrimmage at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“We’re looking to see who is going to fill a lot of voids left with the graduation of last year’s seniors,” Smith said. “Isaiah was our leading scorer the past three years. Bart Martin and Owen Pearson were hybrid players who did a lot for us. Noah Thimons was a very good shooter for us.

“We’re probably going to start four seniors and one junior. After the offseason and the first week of practice, we’re looking forward to seeing how the guys look in game situations against two really good teams in Norwin and North Hills.”

In addition to Heinle, Keller, and Gonzalez, seniors Tyler McDermott and Jacob Musselman are expected to take the other two spots in the starting lineup.

“Tyler saw a little bit of varsity minutes last year, and he’s ready to take on a bigger role this year,” Smith said.

Smith said Musselman is ready to build on significant varsity playing time a year ago. He is remembered for hitting the winning layup in a 52-50 nonsection triumph at Mars.

“The identity of the team has always been team basketball where everyone has a hand in how good we can be,” Smith said. “We don’t see it as having any one superstar who can do everything. Everyone knows their role and knows what they can do best to contribute. Jacob fits the description of a team guy. We want him to shoot the ball more. We will need more points out of him.”

Kiski will be in a revamped section coming out of realignment with games against Armstrong, Hampton, Indiana, Penn Hills, Plum and Shaler.

Shaler made it to the WPIAL semifinals last year and qualified for the PIAA playoffs.

Hampton moved up from Class 4A where it was 25-5 a year ago and finished as the WPIAL runner-up to Lincoln Park. The Talbots also lost to Lincoln Park in the PIAA semifinals.

“The thing that really jumps out is all of the great coaches and great players in the section,” Smith said. “There are a few new coaches implementing some different systems, so it might be a little harder to prepare until we see some film and see what is their identity.”

Kiski opens its season Dec. 3 at Butler and will play Class 6A power Upper St. Clair on Dec. 6 in the first round of the USC tournament. Seton LaSalle and Bethel Park also will be there.

Kiski Area boys at a glance

Coach: Corey Smith

Last year’s record: 15-10 (5-5 in Section 3-5A)

Returning starters: Carson Heinle (Sr., G), Colin Keller (Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Aven Shirley (Jr., G/F), Teegan Shirley (Soph., G/F), Andrew Zapeda (Jr., G)

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski Area