After tumultuous season, Highlands boys ready to run

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 9:13 AM

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Troy Bielak heard the edict from Highlands boys basketball coach Mike Foster. The Golden Rams are going to have to be the “Running Rams” to satisfy their new coach.

Bielak, a senior guard/forward, and his teammates were dripping with sweat during an early practice in a preseason that featured plenty of tempo. Bielak would like their sweat equity to result in lifting trophies and averaging 90 points per game.

“We have the music bumping right now. The coach is hyping us up,” Bielak said. “Everyone wants to beat each other like it’s a race. It’s competitive, so we are motivated and excited for it.”

The Golden Rams survived a difficult season last year to reach the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs before losing to Elizabeth Forward in the first round. A hazing investigation at the start of the season left Highlands with nine players and with Foster as interim coach.

Foster’s son, Preston, will be a senior on this year’s team.

“It was an adjustment,” Mike Foster said. “I was hoping to just be dad and sit and watch. I have coached the kids since they were in elementary school.”

While the Rams were trying to adjust to their seismic roster change last season, they dropped nine of their first 10 games. Bielak said it was a good time to build character.

“We learned a lot of lessons,” Bielak said. “We learned about togetherness, not letting adversity affect us whether it’s on the court or off the court. We always want to stay together and help each other out.”

Preston Foster said his dad has always coached him the same way. Preston appreciates that his dad has a clear goal in mind.

“He’s always been hard on us as a team,” Preston said. “He wants the best as a team. He treats everyone like he’s their dad, too. He doesn’t treat me any different.”

Highlands has plenty of firepower returning. Bielak and Preston Foster were consistent scorers for the Golden Rams.

Preston said he is glad the program will have consistency in its philosophy with the amount of players and coaches who are returning.

“It’s the same system from last season, and when we were younger, we ran the same system then,” Foster said. “It was easy to get back to it and go with the flow.”

Carmine Lacava, Ty Hall and Brayden Spiering also started games for the Golden Rams.

“One strength of this team is that we like to run and play faster,” Mike Foster said. “We want to push pace and tempo.”

Highlands also will get contributions from Brady Celko and Chaz Bielak. Marquis Johnson, who plays football for the Golden Rams, also came out for the team.

There will be no rest for Highlands.

“Right after the season ended, he gave us a quick break and we were back in the gym,” Bielak said. “After a few open gyms, he already had us doing our running workout.”

Highlands boys at a glance

Coach: Michael Foster

Last year’s record: 6-14 (5-7 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Preston Foster (Sr., F); Troy Bielak (Sr., G/F), Carmine Lacava (Sr., G); Ty Hall (Jr., G); Brayden Spiering (Sr., F/C)

Others to watch: Marquis Johnson (Sr., G); Brady Celko (Jr., G)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

12.2, Indiana, 7:30 p.m.

12.5, TBD^, TBD

12.6, TBD^, TBD

12.9, Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, at Burrell*, 7:30 p.m.

12.16, at Mars, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

12.23, at Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

12.26, TBD+, TBD

12.27, TBD+, TBD

1.6, North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, at Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

1.13, Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.16, Burrell*, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, at Shady Side Academy, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, at Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

1.27, Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, at North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

2.3, Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, at Valley*, 6:40 p.m.

*Section game

^St. Joseph tip-off tournament

+Plum holiday tournament

Tags: Highlands