Fox Chapel boys looking for right combination to compete in Class 6A

By: Jerin Steele
Friday, November 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Last year, Fox Chapel put several different combinations on the court. That has led to six players returning with starting experience this year.

Mixing and matching worked for the Foxes as they made the state playoffs and pulled a first-round upset over District 10 champion Cathedral Prep.

With a few key players graduating from that team, including Jefferson Moorefield-Brown, Foxes coach Zach Skrinjar and his staff will once again look to find the right mix as they move up in class from 5A to 6A.

“Every year, our goal is to reload, and that’s why as a staff we take pride in developing younger players because you never know when their time is going to come,” Skrinjar said. “The seniors were on our WPIAL championship team (in 2021). We have some younger brothers of players that were on that WPIAL championship team. Everyone in our program knows our culture and expectations. They know they’re the next group up to continue the success.”

Seniors Asher White, Caden Kaiser, Ike Moser and juniors Anderson Dockey, John Rehak and Max Melocchi all saw starters’ minutes at times in 2023-24.

Victor Golalic, a junior, and sophomores Grant Fenton and Carson Rihn figure to be in the mix as well.

That gives Skrinjar plenty of pieces to find the right combination this season.

“We just have to work through it and see what it looks like,” Skrinjar said. “See who plays the best together in spurts and kind of go from there.”

One thing that’s a constant with the Foxes is team defense. Fox Chapel has consistently been near the top when it comes to allowing the fewest points per game, and the goal is to be there again.

“That’s the foundation of the program we’ve built,” Skrinjar said. “We take pride and rely on our defense. Every night we’re confident we’re going to bring that with us. Regardless of the classification, if you have confidence in your defense, it’s a good feeling.”

The Foxes have been in the WPIAL’s highest classification in the past and fared well. In fact, their 2021 WPIAL championship came in 6A.

They are in Section 1-6A with Butler, New Castle, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley and Woodland Hills.

There are 16 teams in Class 6A split between two sections.

“New Castle and Butler are probably the only two we haven’t played,” Skrinjar said. “We haven’t played North Allegheny for a while, but everyone else we’re familiar with. Every night is going to be a grind in this section and in 6A in general.”

Fox Chapel boys at a glance

Coach: Zach Skrinjar

Last year’s record: 16-12 (7-3 Section 2-5A)

Returning starters: Asher White (Sr., G/F), Caden Kaiser (Sr., G), Anderson Dockey (Jr., G), John Rehak (Jr. G/F), Max Melocchi (Jr., G/F), Ike Moser (Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Grant Fenton (So., G), Victor Golalic (Jr., G), Carson Rihn (So., G)

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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