Deer Lakes reloads in quest for another long playoff run

By: Michael Love
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 6:48 PM

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There again are high expectations for the Deer Lakes boys basketball team as another season is set to begin.

The Lancers, WPIAL champions in 2023 and 2024, had another strong season last winter, but a tough loss to section rival North Catholic in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals and a defeat at the hands of another section rival, Knoch, in the fifth-place game brought a sudden end to a productive campaign.

But Albie Fletcher, who enters his fourth season at the helm of the Lancers, feels with the mix of returning talent and newcomers to varsity ready to make an impact, another championship run is in the cards.

“The excitement level is very high,” said Fletcher, who saw his Lancers finish 18-7 overall last year and third in Section 1 at 9-3 behind champion North Catholic (11-1) and runner-up Knoch (10-2).

“This group has been an integral part of several very successful seasons over the last three years, and they are eager to continue that success.”

Fletcher said the makeup of the team again came together in the summer months.

“Our offseason commitment has been very good, and the workouts have been upbeat and competitive. We won the St Joe’s summer league in June and participated in the Penn State Behrend team camp. We got a lot of good work in that will benefit us as we get the season going.”

The Lancers had to say goodbye to forward Nathaniel Moore, last year’s team leader in points (19.8 ppg.) and rebounds (12.7), as well as guard JT McCue, the third-leading scorer (10.5 ppg.) and leader in 3-pointers (53).

Senior guard Collin Rodgers is one of three starters back — junior guard Evan Moore and senior guard/forward Luca Mangieri are the others — who hope to lead a rotation Fletcher said could show its depth.

Rodgers was second to Nathaniel Moore in scoring at 12.8 points per game. He was second in rebounds (100) and was the team leader in assists (130), deflections (48) and steals (44).

Senior guard Breydan McCoy also brings varsity experience.

Seniors Dylan Ferraro and Lachlan Herr, juniors Santino Bogan and Dante Mangieri and sophomores Aaron Fletcher and Ethan Farr are new blood in the varsity lineup.

“This team is athletic and runs the floor extremely well,” Fletcher said. “We have solid depth, which should allow us to play at the pace we want to and have great competition at practices.

“However, we are not a very big team, so pace of play and defensive pressure will be critical to our success.”

Fletcher said North Catholic and Knoch should be strong section contenders again.

The Knights, with veteran coach Joe Lafko now at the helm, must replace Valley News Dispatch Player of the Year Jackson Bauman, who transferred to Moon.

Highlands also earned a WPIAL playoff spot last year.

“I think we are in the best section in Class 4A, and we hope to be in the mix at the top again this year,” Fletcher said. “It should be extremely competitive, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Deer Lakes will take part in the Armstrong Tipoff Tournament on Nov. 28-29 with Armstrong, River Valley and Washington. The Lancers will face Washington in the first round at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

“We have put together a very challenging nonsection schedule including several 5A opponents in Hampton, Gateway, Indiana, Plum and possibly Armstrong if we see them in the tipoff tourney,” Fletcher said. “The guys want and appreciate the competition to test themselves and help them improve.”

Deer Lakes boys at a glance

Coach: Albie Fletcher (fourth year)

Last year’s record: 18-7 (9-3 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Collin Rodgers (Sr., G), Evan Moore (Jr., G), Luca Mangieri (Sr., G/F)

Others to watch: Breydan McCoy (Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Dylan Ferraro (Sr., G), Lachlan Herr (Sr., F), Santino Bogan (Jr., F), Dante Mangieri (Jr., F) Aaron Fletcher (So., G), Ethan Farr (So., G)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

11.28, Washington^, TBD

11.29, TBD^, TBD

12.2, at Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

12.9, Beaver, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, at Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

12.16, Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

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

12.20, Plum, 5:30 p.m.

12.23, Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

12.29, West Mifflin+, TBD

12.30, at Gateway+, TBD

1.2, at Mohawk, 7:30 p.m.

1.6, at Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, Derry, 7:30 p.m.

1.13, North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

1.16, Freeport*, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, at Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, Burrell*, 7:30 p.m.

1.24, at Indiana, 5:30 p.m.

1.27, at Highlands*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, Knoch*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, at North Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Armstrong tip-off tournament

+Gateway holiday tournament

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes