Belle Vernon boys basketball finds stride in middle of tumultuous season
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Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 11:01 AM
A five-game suspension of three starting players could have sent a talented Belle Vernon boys basketball team into an irreversible tailspin.
But the Christmas-time disruption may have had the opposite effect on the Leopards, who have not lost since.
This could be a WPIAL championship contender that came to realize such a label through a misdeed.
“Honestly, we came back, and we’ve played better than before,” senior guard Zion Moore said. “There was a lesson to be learned. We made dumb decisions.”
While the exact reason for the discipline was not disclosed, Moore, senior Tommy Davis and junior Curtis Wade did not play for five games. In the interim, the third-ranked Leopards (16-4, 9-1) went 3-2, losing to Derry in overtime and to No. 4 Deer Lakes.
The team reassembled for a 63-59 win over Elizabeth Forward on Jan. 3 and has put together a 10-game winning streak while taking over first place in Section 3-4A., circling back to club EF, 71-43, for a sweep.
A Section 3-4A title now is well within reach.
The Leopards play fast and furious, averaging close to 70 points with their experienced backcourt leading the way.
“I think we have a good enough team to win the WPIAL,” Moore said, “and maybe go farther.”
The smooth-going Moore is leading Westmoreland County in scoring at 26 points per game and has 1,964 career points. The fourth-year starter’s ability to produce offense could take the Leopards a long way.
Moore, who played his freshman season at Ringgold, has scored in double figures in every game he has played at Belle Vernon.
But he would like to get those five games he missed back.
“We’re moving on,” he said.
While the key players sat out, senior guard Trevor Kovatch elevated his game and leadership qualities through rough waters. The soccer star looks like a seasoned guard, showing shooting range while being fearless going to the rim and picking pockets on defense.
Kovatch said the suspensions were not a distraction but rather an eye-opening ordeal that reminded the Leopards of how fragile team chemistry can be.
“As a senior, I felt like I needed to be a leader,” Kovatch said. “My role is to lead the team. I am a captain for a reason.”
And for now, he is the only captain.
“I took their captaincy away,” Belle Vernon coach Joe Salvino said of the other seniors. “They can earn it back. I think what happened registered with them. They apologized to the team. They are high school kids, and they do certain things. It’s over and done with now.”
One bonus to having three starters down was Salvino extending a longer arm down the bench, which had in turn grown his team’s depth.
“We’ve been able to go eight or nine,” Salvino said. “But we could play 11.”
Senior Dom Ghilani has been a steady starter and a mad rebounder, but others have stepped up in reserve roles, some starting when the lineup took a hit.
“Trevor has really held us together,” Salvino said. “But he’s had help. Dom Ghilani has played a key role.”
Junior Jude Minniti, sophomore Luca Ghilani, sophomore Cameren Jenko and freshman Elijah Majors have seen increased minutes.
“More people I was hesitant to play before,” Salvino said. “Now they have some varsity experience.”
Said Kovatch: “We were playing like seven guys. Now we’re playing 11 or 12. We’ve had guys step up. Right now, it’s all about trust.”
Salvino, in his seventh season at Belle Vernon after decades at Monessen, has the second-most wins in WPIAL history at 739. He has more than 100 wins at both schools.
That said, he has been around disciplinary issues before and has seen teams become better or worse for it.
“In 40 years, I hope I have seen it all,” Salvino said.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon
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