Fox Chapel boys rely on defense to spark strong start

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The process of getting ready for the basketball season wasn’t any different for Fox Chapel boys basketball coach Zach Skrinjar this season. The Foxes were bumped up to Class 6A during this enrollment cycle, but the basic foundation for Fox Chapel’s success remains the same.

“It all starts on defense,” Skrinjar said. “When we’ve played to our highest potential this year, it’s because we are able to get stops in transition.”

The Foxes are off to a 3-1 start this season. Fox Chapel’s defense has been solid so far, limiting opponents to 44.5 points per game.

The Foxes will need that toughness as section play starts. Fox Chapel opened section play at home against Seneca Valley last Friday.

The Foxes have only played one game against a 6A opponent so far. Fox Chapel lost 50-47 to Hempfield.

“You always wish you had more time,” Skrinjar said. “Section play seems like so much. We took the approach like it was a four-game preseason.”

The Foxes are searching for balance on offense. Fox Chapel lost its two leading scorers from last season to graduation.

Senior forward Caden Kaiser has picked up the mantle to lead the Foxes in scoring. Kaiser is averaging 18.8 points per game. During the first three games of the season, Kaiser broke his career high in scoring.

Kaiser scored 17 points against Shaler, 20 against Plum and 24 against Ambridge.

Asher White is second on the team in scoring. White averages 10 points per game.

“I’d like to see us get some more balance,” Skrinjar said. “I’d like to see three or four guys scoring 10 points per game.”

Skrinjar said that he feels like the Fox Chapel is still a work in progress. As players settle into their roles, the Foxes should see improvement.

“We have a lot of guys getting comfortable with the system we play,” Skrinjar said. “We are continuing to work on communicating and how we are defending times. At times, we are showing glimpses of the team we can become.”

Building that balance will be important as Fox Chapel gets into section play. The Foxes will have some interesting road trips ahead, including to perennial power New Castle.

“There are a lot of good teams and coaches,” Skrinjar said. “Every night, you are going to have to bring your best game, especially when you are on the road. We are going to enjoy playing at some unique places like Butler and New Castle.”

Tags: Fox Chapel