Freeport boys look to turn up tempo on defense

By: John Grupp
Friday, November 21, 2025 | 12:01 AM

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Freeport coach Rich Macura is ready to release a swarm of Yellowjackets.

One season after having one of the most porous defenses in WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball, Freeport is poised to turn up the pressure on opposing teams.

“The fact that we can go a little deeper than in the past, we’re going to be a little bit more up-tempo and press,” said Macura, in his third year. “We’ve been working on this since I got here, and I think we’re finally to the point where we will be able to run it more effectively.”

Freeport stumbled defensively on the way to a 6-16 record last season. Only two WPIAL Class 4A teams allowed more points per game (66.0). But with four returning starters and some promising newcomers, Freeport believes it has the depth and athleticism to unleash a more aggressive attack.

“This is going to be a defensive year for us,” said Michael Graczyk, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior forward. “It’s going to be up-in-your-face, hard-nosed defense all year long.”

Graczyk, who last season blocked six shots in a win over East Allegheny, is expected to miss the first two weeks of the season while recovering from quadriceps tendinitis in both legs.

He played through pain last season with an inflammation of the tendon that connects the quad muscle to the kneecap. He was sidelined for good in March and began a rehabilitation process that included platelet-rich plasma injections in both quadriceps and “lots of physical therapy.”

“I’m definitely getting better,” said Graczyk, who last season averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. “I won’t be back on the court until about the first week of December. It’s frustrating. … I definitely feel a lot better than I did in the spring. I realized something was wrong in December. I was in pain until about March. Then I was at an AAU Tournament in Indiana, and I was like, ‘I can’t take this anymore.’ ”

Freeport is weary of losing. The Yellowjackets are 13-31 in the past two seasons and trying to avoid a third consecutive losing season for the first time in at least 45 years.

Other returning starters are senior guard Carson Kane (12 ppg), 5-11 junior guard Bryson Paga (7 ppg), and 6-2 junior forward Danny King (7 ppg, 6 rpg).

King and Paga are coming off a memorable football season, helping to lead Freeport to its first 6-0 start since 1990 and a spot in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals.

“As a group, I think they are getting the point that it’s their team,” Macura said. “It’s a nice group of six or seven kids, and we’re just trying to figure out which one is going to be that true leader. That’s probably the biggest obstacle at the moment.”

Freeport, which reached the playoffs in the St. Joseph summer league, faces some hurdles in a Section 1-4A that includes North Catholic, last year’s WPIAL Class 4A runner-up, and PIAA qualifier Knoch. The top four finishers qualify for the WPIAL postseason.

“Last year, we fell short,” Graczyk said. “We absolutely felt we could have and should have made the playoffs. I know for a fact that I’m hungry, and I’m sure my boys are, too.”

The Yellowjackets are looking to turn defensive pressure into offense this season. They were held below 50 points in half of their games last season and surpassed 60 points only five times.

“Ultimately, that is our goal,” Macura said. “With pressing teams, including our guys, that intensity really becomes contagious when things start going your way. The energy just picks up for the team.”

Freeport boys at a glance

Coach: Rich Macura

Last year’s record: 6-16 (3-9 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Carson Kane (Sr., G), Danny King (Jr., F), Bryson Paga (Jr., G), Michael Graczyk (Jr., F)

Others to watch: Gavin Tola (Jr., G), Owen Westendorf (So., G)

Top newcomers: Avery Westendorf (Fr., F), Max Zigo (Jr., G/F), Luke Selinger (So., G)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

12.3, Derry, 7:30 p.m.

12.5, TBD^, TBD

12.6, TBD^, TBD

12.10, Plum, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

12.29, TBD+, TBD

12.30 TBD+, TBD

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

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

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

1.16, at Deer Lakes*, 7:30 p.m.

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

1.23, at East Allegheny, 7:30 p.m.

1.27, at Valley*, 6:40 p.m.

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

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

2.4, Armstrong, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

*Section game

*Freeport tip-off tournament

+Moniteau holiday tournament

Tags: Freeport