Shady Side Academy boys basketball team to rely on depth

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, December 3, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Last season, the Shady Side Academy boys basketball team finished 9-1 in WPIAL Section 3-3A and reached the semifinals of the WPIAL tournament before losing to Lincoln Park.

They got to the round of 16 in the PIAA tournament but fell to North Catholic.

SSA coach David Vadnais will have to replace the high-scoring duo of Etai Groff and Kirf Olander.

“They were two key pieces of our team, and they will be difficult to replace,” Vadnais said. “They were multiple-year starters who were able to bail us out when our offense became stagnant.”

“This year, we won't have a guy that scores like those two. However, we will have a deeper team. We will rely on balanced scoring more than ever, and we will need all of our guys to commit to playing on both ends of the floor. We can't afford to have guys see themselves as just a defensive or offensive player.”

The Indians return eight players with significant varsity experience: Ezekyel Roberts (5-foot-10, Sr. G), Frankie Fuhrer IV (5-11, Sr. G), Peter Mcilroy (6-2, Sr. F/G), Dan Counihan (6-1, Sr. F), Mike George (6-4, Jr. C/F), Ronan O'Connor (6-4, Jr. C), Skyy Moore (5-10, Jr. G) and Grady Munroe (6-2, Soph. F).

Roberts, Mcilroy, Moore and Fuhrer IV are in their third year on varsity.

Newcomers include juniors Jas Fuhrer, Will Cochran, Brendan McLaughlin, Asher Tayal, along with sophomore Mason Tomlin.

Vadnais said there again will be tough competition in 3-3A.

“As far as the section, I think Burrell and East Allegheny will be very difficult to beat this year,” he said. “Although Apollo-Ridge is young, they should be much improved from last year. Steel Valley will have to replace Jamier Fletcher, but I expect them to still be good. They return some very talented guards that will keep them competitive. South Allegheny is always well-coached and a difficult team to play against.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shady Side Academy