Greensburg Salem looks to make a huge leap in coach’s second season

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, November 17, 2023 | 5:28 PM

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It’s been a while since the Greensburg Salem boys basketball team has had a winning season.

But second-year coach Cam Auld sees a change on the horizon — a brighter future for a program that has floundered since the 2011-12 season.

The Golden Lions finished 5-17 overall and 1-9 in Section 1-4A and haven’t had a winning season since 2018 when they finished 12-11. Their last winning section record was in 2015 when they went 8-6.

Before Auld took over, the Golden Lions had consecutive winless section records when they went 0-18 while playing up in Class 6A.

“We have a lot of guys back that played a lot of time,” Auld said. “They gained a lot of experience that should help us. We were in a tough section and were in a lot of games playing Highlands, Hampton, Knoch, Freeport and Indiana.”

The Golden Lions return five starters and will add a talented freshman point guard, A.J. Tarpley, to the mix.

The trio of senior Ryan Burkart, junior Braedon Leatherman and sophomore Luke Rullo will be counted on to carry the offensive load.

Burkart averaged 16 points per game. Rullo, before an injury sidelined him during the second half of the season, and Leatherman scored 11 points per game each.

The other starters back are senior forward Julian Stevens and junior guard Tyler Martin.

“This summer was good for us,” Auld said. “We tried to play as many games as possible. We also hit the weight room. We needed to get stronger for the competition we faced.

“We have to learn how to finish games, and that comes with experience. We have to change the mentality.”

Two other players that Auld said will compete for playing time are junior forward Jack Douty and senior guard Nick Heinnickel.

Adding Tarpley, someone who has played in a lot of competitive AAU games, will help.

“We have to remember that A.J. is only 14,” Auld said. “But I’m confident he’ll be able to handle the offense, get to the rim and distribute the ball to our shooters. We want to see him and the team grow.”

Auld said he expects Highlands and Hampton will be the teams to beat in the section. He hopes his team will take a giant step and compete for a WPIAL playoff berth with Knoch, Freeport and Indiana.

The Golden Lions will scrimmage Monessen before opening the season Dec. 1 against rival Hempfield. They will face Connellsville on Dec. 2.

Greensburg Salem boys at a glance

Coach: Cam Auld

Last year’s record: 5-17 (1-9 Section 1-4A)

Returning starters: Braedon Leatherman (Jr., F), Luke Rullo (So., F), Ryan Burkart (Sr, G), Julian Stevens (Sr., F), Tyler Martin (Jr., G).

Top newcomers: A.J. Tarpley (Fr., PG), Jack Douty (Jr., F), Nick Heinnickel (Sr., G).

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem