After winning section title, Southmoreland boys work to stay on top

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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After winning its first section championship since 1992, Southmoreland cranked up its nonsection boys basketball schedule as it takes aim at a repeat.

The Scotties, who swept through section play at 10-0 and finished 18-8 overall, will play a lineup of playoff contenders from different classifications in Quaker Valley, Uniontown, Central Valley, Hempfield, South Park, Keystone Oaks and Highlands, outside of a section schedule that will include two matchups against Elizabeth Forward.

“It will be a lot tougher,” 18th-year coach Frank Muccino said. “There is now a level of expectation. Before, we had to climb the mountain. Now that we got there, the expectation is to stay there. You go from the hunter to the huntee.

“If we can get out of the section like I hope we can, we will be really tested. We will be ready to compete.”

The Scotties defeated Mohawk, 55-38, for their first playoff win in eight years. They dropped into the consolation bracket and went 0-2, falling to Ellwood City and Keystone Oaks.

They lost only one senior and return four starters, led by 6-foot senior Noah Felentzer, who was one of the WPIAL’s top scorers. The combo guard averaged 22 points and reached 1,117 for his career.

“It’s hard to repeat what we did last year,” Felentzer said. “And we have some tough nonsection games. It’s nice to see some of our younger guys getting older. I’m excited to see what they can do.

“I think we can put up more points this year.”

Felentzer said he prefers playing off-guard more than the point. He thinks more scoring will come from his teammates and anticipates a deeper overall rotation.

Other returning starters are seniors Brady Sherbondy (6-2), Ty Whoric and Stanley Chapman (6-2).

Sherbondy and Whoric help to shore up the backcourt, while Chapman is a post presence.

“One of the big things for us is finding other guys to contribute and help Noah,” Muccino said. “We have an open competition for spots. We have 10 guys capable of playing. It will depend on matchups.

“We will go as Noah goes, but we’re looking to get him some help.”

Two freshmen, now sophomores, saw valuable minutes in the postseason last year in Brock Pritts and Luke Stinnett, both 6-2 forwards.

“When we had some starters out, we had two freshmen on the floor,” Muccino said.

Another player to watch is senior foreign exchange student Andre Panichi, who is here until February from Italy.

“We played a season and a half of basketball in the summer and fall,” Muccino said. “We have played a lot of games.”

Muccino, the coach since 2009-10, is 170-183. He served as a football assistant with the Scotties this season after several years on the Belle Vernon staff.

Southmoreland boys at a glance

Coach: Frank Muccino

Last year’s record: 18-8 (10-0 Section 4-3A)

Returning starters: Stanley Chapman (Sr. F), Noah Felentzer (Sr., G), Brady Sherbondy (Sr., G), Ty Whoric (Sr., G)

Others to watch: Brock Pritts (So, F), Luke Stinnett (So., F)

Top newcomers: Andre Panichi (Sr., G), Aiden Watkins (So., G)

SCHEDULE

12.2, at Keystone Oaks, 7:15 p.m.

12.5, Highlands^, 4:30 p.m.

12.6, TBD^

12.9 Yough, 7:30 p.m.

12.15, Central Valley, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, at Charleroi*, 7:30 p.m.

12.20, Hempfield#, 3 p.m.

12.23, Ligonier Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

12.27, Uniontown+, 7 p.m.

12.29, East Allegheny+, 5:30 p.m.

12.30, South Park+, 7 p.m.

1.6, Waynesburg*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, at Mt. Pleasant*, 7:30 p.m.

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

1.16, at Elizabeth Forward, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, Quaker Valley, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, Charleroi*, 7 p.m.

1.27, at Ligonier Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, at Waynesburg*, 7:30 p.m.

2.3, Mt. Pleasant*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, at Brownsville*, 7 p.m.

2.9, Derry, 7 p.m.

*Section game

^St. Joseph tournament

#WCCA Showcase

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Southmoreland