Glass-cleaning skills help Knoch boys get off to sparkling start

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, January 3, 2026 | 11:07 AM

Teegan Finucan knows which skill set the Knoch boys basketball team needs to lean on to win games. The 6-foot-1 senior guard and his teammates aren’t afraid to employ it.

“A lot of it comes from genetics,” Finucan said. “We have a lot of length, and we want to abuse it, and I mean that in the best way possible.”

The Knights, who are 9-2 overall and 3-0 in Section 1-4A, have outrebounded 10 of their 11 opponents. Knoch has been able to lean on its two leading rebounders — 6-7 guard/forward Derek Lang and 6-5 forward Liam Avon — to help set the standard. The Knights also have been able to lean on 6-3 guard/forward Vincent DeFelice and 6-1 Roman DeFelice to provide defense and scoring.

“Defensively, we are long, and that has given other teams problems,” Knoch coach Joe Lafko said. “We’ve outrebounded everyone on our schedule except one team. I think that’s a testament to our will and length.”

Lafko, who is in his first season as Knoch’s coach, has been impressed with how his team handled the stretch around the holidays.

The Knights have only seven home games on the schedule and already have spent the nonsection schedule traveling around the area. Knoch played a road game against New Castle and had a few neutral-site games at Geneva and La Roche.

The Knights have won eight consecutive games, including six in 11 days from Dec. 19-30.

While Lafko is new to the Knoch program, he has a long resume as a coach. He is 547-333, having spent six seasons with Warren in District 10 and 28 years with Hampton.

Lafko joked his first job when he arrived at Knoch was figuring out where the baskets were at the gym. What stood out to him about the group he had was how well the players worked together.

“What stood out early in the summer league games about this group is that they are unselfish,” Lafko said. “They play together. We’ve often had three or four guys in double-digits scoring. They look for each other.”

Finucan said the Knights, who reached the PIAA Class 4A playoffs last season, appreciate having an opportunity to learn from Lafko.

“We knew he came in with a resume and what he brought to the table,” Finucan said. “I appreciate how he teaches us, not just on the court. He always talks about trying to be a sponge, and we are learning from him.”

Knoch beat Latrobe, Plum, Woodland Hills and South Fayette in five days before taking a week off. The Knights will plunge back into section play with important matchups with Deer Lakes and North Catholic this week.

“We have a tough week coming up,” Lafko said. “We are preparing for each opponent one game at a time.”

Tags: Knoch