As regular season wraps up, Penn Hills boys in position to reach goals

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Penn Hills boys basketball team fought into the position coach Chris Giles hoped they could land at. The Indians already had their ticket to the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs punched before their final section game with Kiski Area.

Penn Hills entered the game, the result of which was too late for this edition, with a chance to win the section outright.

“I think this is a great opportunity for the kids,” Giles said. “We always talk about the team getting better as the season goes on. The team has done that and been in a good position to play for something that matters.”

Junior guard Amon Hawthorne has established himself as Penn Hills’ top scorer. He averages 17.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Calix Clak is second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. He also pulls down a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game.

Penn Hills (10-8, 10-1) built toughness with a young roster by playing a difficult nonsection schedule. The Indians started the year 0-3 but showed they could handle challenging tests once section play started.

“I think they are all willing to listen,” Giles said. “It all starts between their ears. There’s a lot of information they have to take in that’s difficult to maintain. When you are inexperienced, and you aren’t winning early, it can be hard. They’ve been resilient.”

Since the calendar flipped to 2025, the Indians have won eight of 10 games. Penn Hills’ only losses came to Aliquippa at the PBC Hall of Fame Classic and on the road against Kiski Area.

The Indians have shown they can win in a variety of different ways. Four of Penn Hills’ first five section wins came by 10 or more points.

Penn Hills also won close games, sliding by Armstrong by two points on the road and overtaking Hampton in overtime. Giles is happy with the opportunity Penn Hills has in front of them.

“We’re so young, and everyone played JV last year,” Giles said. “If you had asked me at the beginning of the season, I would have told you it’s tremendous to be in a spot where one game decides the section.”

Tags: Penn Hills