Battle-tested South Allegheny looks to finish PIAA run against West Catholic

By: Jeremy Sellew
Friday, March 28, 2025 | 4:28 PM

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The final game of the season has arrived for the South Allegheny boys basketball team, and the Gladiators have a chance to do something only 11 other teams will do this season.

Win it.

While the majority of teams end their season with a loss, the Gladiators can end their season on a high note by hoisting the PIAA championship trophy.

South Allegheny (26-3) will face District 12’s West Catholic (14-14) in the Class 3A state championship game at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hershey.

West Catholic is a member of the Philadelphia Catholic League in District 12.

“Obviously, their record isn’t indicative of their play. They’re really deep,” South Allegheny coach Tony DiCenzo said. “No one they bring in is incapable of making a play. They obviously played a great schedule and some really good teams.”

The Burrs advanced to the championship game with a buzzer-beating win over Holy Cross, 58-57, last Saturday.

“They’re very versatile and all have different skill sets,” DiCenzo said. “It’s going to be a big challenge.”

West Catholic has played competitive games against impressive competition. They’ve played Devon Prep, which reached the 4A final. Neumann-Goretti, which played in Friday’s 5A championship, beat the Burrs in a close game.

The Gladiators advanced to the finals with a second win over Aliquippa in a rematch of the WPIAL championship game.

“Those two games against Aliquippa and this whole state run had us in stressful situations late in games,” DiCenzo said. “The last handful of weeks, playing against Trinity and Bishop Guilfoyle, too, it’s really prepared us to play in any situation and any type of game.”

The Gladiators will start with their group of senior guard Cam Epps (5-7, senior), Drew Cook (6-1, junior), Jake Uher (6-3, junior), Josh Jackowski (6-4, senior) and Camden Lewis (6-3, senior).

South Allegheny doesn’t go deep into its bench. Most of the minutes will come from Kian Ellis (6-2, senior) and Fischer Ielease (5-10, sophomore). Hunter Molanick (5-7, senior) has also seen some minutes in the postseason.

“We’re not as deep as them, but I think the one advantage we have is our leadership and our experience,” DiCenzo said. “A guy like Cam, he’s played in over 100 basketball games. (West Catholic) is a lot of underclassmen, so I think that’s our edge. We have big-game experience and great leadership from all of our guys.”

The Burrs usually feature a starting lineup of Jayvon Bird (No. 13, 6-3, sophomore), Xavier Fauntry (No. 55, 6-3, sophomore), Rahmir Speaks (No. 23, 6-2, sophomore), Yasai Rozier (No. 10, 6-4, sophomore) and Kingstone Wheatley (No. 22, 6-7, junior).

Burrs head coach Miguel Bocachica has been known to ride the hot hand and can send players like Naseem Perez (No. 2, 5-11, senior), Jaden Banner (No. 4, 6-6, senior), Saaid Lee (No. 1, 6-2, senior), Eric Scott (No. 21, 5-11, sophomore) and Nyiere Farlow (No. 12, Nyiere Farlow, 6-3, sophomore), into the game or even start them.

“(Wheatley), the big 6-7 kid, is active as heck around the basket,” DiCenzo said. “His motor doesn’t stop and controlling him on the offensive glass is going to be important. They play a handful of kids that are 6-5 or bigger, so I think they’re going to match up with our size. They have length on the perimeter and are really athletic. It’s really hard to gauge them on film.”

Wheatley has been receiving Division I offers and is leading the team at 12 points per game.

In an effort to prepare for the environment and playing in Hershey’s Giant Center, DiCenzo and the team worked out at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.

“It was nice to be able to have access there,” he said. “Really just for the shooting and getting acclimated to an arena setting against a high school gym. Our thought process was get them exposed to that. We didn’t shoot well in the WPIAL championship, so hopefully that will have a good impact on us.”

The Gladiators arrived in Hershey around 3:30 p.m. Friday. DiCenzo said he wanted to make sure to keep his players focused, but still enjoy and take in the experience.

“Being a coach here for 13 years, I’ve gotten a lot of texts and messages of congratulations,” DiCenzo said. “The biggest advice I’ve had was just to enjoy it. For most, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Tags: South Allegheny