Fox Chapel boys to rely on grit, toughness against Class 6A opponents

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, November 21, 2025 | 5:23 PM

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Fox Chapel boys basketball coach Zach Skrinjar won’t have twin towers at his disposal this season. He won’t have any towers at all, really.

The Foxes’ success will be measured in grit and toughness. Fox Chapel, which doesn’t have anyone over 6-foot-2, will have to battle to get back to the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs.

“We have little to zero size,” Skrinjar said. “We’ve never really had that. It’s nothing new for us.”

Fox Chapel fell a game short of taking the Section 1-6A crown from New Castle last season. The Foxes finished 16-7 before losing to Central Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.

Fox Chapel’s leading returning scorer from last season is John Rehak, who averaged around 8.0 points.

Rehak is one of three returning seniors who made starts last season. Anderson Dockey, a 5-foot-10 guard, and Max Melocchi, a 6-2 forward, will also be returning for the Foxes.

“We might lack a little bit of size,” Dockey said. “I think a lot of our guys play hard and hustle much more than other teams do. We’re going to be on loose balls and diving for them.”

Fox Chapel will open the season Dec. 2 against Shaler on the road. Skrinjar set the expectation heading into the offseason last year that the Foxes needed to show progression.

It’s still early in practice, but Skrinjar recognized a lot of room for growth.

“We talked in the offseason a lot about changing and improving,” Skrinjar said. “If we come back as the same player we did last year, we didn’t make a whole lot of changes. We’re working on becoming better. I don’t think we are near where we should be or could be.”

Fox Chapel will look to mix and match lineups throughout the season to find the right formula for winning. Junior guards Grant Fenton and Joe McGivney both started games last season and will be returning.

Dockey said Fox Chapel has a lot of versatile players who can play different positions. They have been working on sharpening their skills.

“Personally, I’ve been working on my scoring,” Dockey said. “I’ve been more of a facilitator and defensive player for the team. This year, I can contribute more on offense.”

The Foxes have three other juniors — Viktor Golalic, Carson Rihn and Joe Carlino — who will be looking to step up and fill new roles.

Fox Chapel will have two nonsection games to begin the season before it opens section play Dec. 12 against Seneca Valley.

“Hopefully, come section play and for the second time around in section play we’ll be in the spot we want to be at,” Skrinjar said. “We want to have good effort on both sides of the court. We’re going to really have to concentrate to rebound. We have 10 guys who can compete, and I’m looking forward to seeing who is going to step up and grab more minutes.”

Fox Chapel boys at a glance

Coach: Zach Skrinjar

Last year’s record: 16-7 (10-4 Section 1-6A)

Returning starters: John Rehak (Sr., F); Anderson Dockey (Sr., G); Max Melocchi (Sr., F)

Others to watch: Grant Fenton (Jr., G), Joe McGivney (Jr., G), Viktor Golalic (Jr., G), Carson Rihn (Jr., G), Joe Carlino (Jr., G)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

12.2, Shaler, 7:30 p.m.

12.5, TBD^, TBD

12.6, TBD^, TBD

12.9, Hempfield, 7 p.m.

12.12, Seneca Valley*, 7 p.m.

12.16, at Pine-Richland*, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, Woodland Hills*, 7 p.m.

12.23, North Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

12.29, at Shady Side Academy+, 5:30 p.m.

12.30, Kiski Area+, 1:30 p.m.

1.2, at Peters Township, 7:30 p.m.

1.6, at North Hills*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, New Castle*, 7 p.m.

1.13, at Butler*, 7:30 p.m.

1.16, at Seneca Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, Pine-Richland*, 7 p.m.

1.23, at Woodland Hills*, 7:30 p.m.

1.27, at North Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, North Hills*, 7 p.m.

2.2, at New Castle*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, Butler*, 7 p.m.

2.9, at Avonworth, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Chartiers Valley tip-off tournament

+Shady Side Academy holiday tournament

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