As competition ramps up, Sewickley Academy boys earn trip to state playoffs

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Sewickley Academy boys basketball team wrapped up its run in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs with a 3-1 record, including a 51-37 victory against Neshannock in the third-place consolation game.

Lucas Grimsley, a 6-foot-2 junior guard/forward, has led the Panthers in scoring the past two years with 15 and 11.5 ppg averages.

“I think we showed a lot of resilience during our (WPIAL) playoff run,” Grimsley said. “We worked hard all season, and even as we began to face tougher competition, we stuck together and played our style of basketball. Every game is a battle at this stage, and I’m proud of how we competed.

“Even though we fell short of the WPIAL title, we have to focus on how we respond. I think we’ve responded positively to losses all season, so I am truly optimistic about March.”

Grimsley’s primary position is shooting guard, but he switches to the frontcourt at times. He is complemented offensively by 6-2 senior forward Nolan Donnelly and 5-8 junior guard Caiden Battles. Donnelly is a leading scorer and rebounder.

Two other integral contributors are junior forward Amare Spencer and sophomore F/C Adam Ikamba. Top reserves include freshman guards Connor Tull and Drew Steals, freshman forwards Rob Southall, Mamadou Kane and Ja’mere Guyton and junior forward Justin Prunzik.

The Sewickley Academy team is well-supplied with height thanks to the likes of Grimsley, Donnelly, the 6-8 Ikamba and 6-8 Kane, 6-3 Southall, 6-2 Spencer and 6-1 Guyton.

It’s a new month with a new playoff format.

Sewickley Academy (20-5) was scheduled to host Windber (17-8) on March 8 in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament.

Sewickley Academy won the Section 2-2A championship with an unblemished 12-0 record, and Windber finished as the Inter County-West runner-up behind North Star.

“We expect to go as deep as possible and compete for a state championship,” Grimsley said. “We’re excited about representing our school in the state tournament for the first time since 2018. We understand that every team is strong at this stage, so the best thing is to stay focused and take it one day at a time.”

Windber is led by the senior tandem of 6-1 guard Grady Klosky and 6-5 forward Evan Brady, who average 16.7 and 14.9 points per game, respectively. Brady leads the team in rebounds, averaging 12.1 per game, as well as blocks and steals.

“Those are their to top players and scorers,” Sewickley Academy coach Mike Iuzzolino said. “Klosky can score in many different ways with strong drives, mid-range pull-ups, and he’s capable from 3 (-point range). Brady is a straight-line driver and finishes around the rim pretty well and is an excellent rebounder.

“They also have a couple of guards who can space the floor and knock down 3s.”

Logan Serenko, a 6-foot sophomore point guard, is another scoring threat for the Ramblers. Serenko averages 9.9 ppg and ranks first on the team in assists and second in steals.

Windber is coached by Steve Slatcoff, who uses a multi-player rotation that includes Klosky, Brady, Serenko, senior forward Ryan Grohal (6-0, 256), sophomore forwards Ace Kolson and Keenan Klosky, sophomore guards Dalton Strick and Dylan Woodruff, and freshman guard Sean McClain.

“We know Windber is a well-coached and disciplined team with a strong record,” Grimsley said. “We’re anticipating a hard-fought matchup.”

Windber lost to McConnellsburg, 48-34, in its previous District 5/8 playoff game after holding a 16-14 halftime lead. McConnellsburg (24-1) outscored the Ramblers by a 34-18 margin in the second half.

Windber had won four consecutive games prior to its playoff loss to McConnellsburg.

Tags: Sewickley Academy