Hempfield boys basketball team falls to Mt. Lebanon in 1st game under interim coach
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Friday, January 17, 2025 | 10:55 PM
Playing its first game this season without head coach Bill Swan, who is on paid administrative leave until further notice while the school district investigates an undisclosed complaint against him, the Hempfield boys basketball team struggled to find its rhythm and focus Friday night in a 60-27 loss to Mt. Lebanon.
A close Section 2-6A game early, the Blue Devils outscored Hempfield, 32-10, after halftime to post a season sweep going away.
Carter Gould delivered a four-point play just before the half to stake Mt. Lebanon (8-6, 4-4) to a double-digit lead over the Spartans (7-7, 2-5), who were tied with the visitors 11-11 after the first quarter.
Gould, who had 13 points in the second quarter, finished with a game-high 19, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Blue Devils snapped a two-game skid.
Mt. Lebanon was the fifth-place team coming in, while Hempfield was sixth in the eight-team section. The top five make the WPIAL playoffs. Mt. Lebanon won the first meeting 58-38.
The Blue Devils’ pressure forced Hempfield into turnovers and ran up leads of 28-17 at halftime and 45-20 after three quarters.
Hempfield, whose largest run was 5-0 in the fourth, only had one field goal and three points in the third.
“They are a well-coached team and really created a challenge for us,” Hempfield interim head coach Mark Katarski said. “Mt. Lebanon deserves all the credit.”
Katarski, the former Seton Hill women’s head coach, said he wanted Hempfield to treat the matchup like another section game but understood that is easier said than done.
It has been a trying week for the Spartans.
“I asked our guys (after the game), how many will this count towards in the standings?” Katarski said. “The answer is one. It’s one game.
“When the ball goes up, it’s just a basketball game.”
A smaller-than-usual student section showed support for Swan. They held up a large, inflatable swan — a swimming pool novelty — and several students wore “Free Swan” T-shirts.
An internal investigation into allegations against Swan is ongoing, school officials reiterated Friday.
Mt. Lebanon coach Joey David showed empathy for Swan, a friend of his, and the Spartans.
“It’s unfortunate,” David said. “I would tell them to hang in there and be there for each other.
“I know coach Swan talked about this possibly being his last year teaching. I hope none of this interferes with his retirement. He’s a good person and a good coach. If I can do anything for him, I’m here.”
Samuel Deibert added 13 points, and Dane Barber had 11, including three 3-pointers, for Mt. Lebanon.
With the Blue Devils in front 24-17, Gould put up a tough 3 from the corner and was knocked to the ground and fouled. He made the free throw to make it an 11-point game at the half.
“That really helped us, and it really hurt them,” David said. “We scored the first points of the third, too, and that really opened it up.”
Mt. Lebanon went on a 15-0 run, with Santino Fiumara hitting a layup while losing his shoe and then making a 3, and Deibert putting back his own miss.
Hempfield went from being competitive early to being down by 25 heading to the fourth.
“It’s one of those things (with Mt. Lebanon),” Katarski said. “If they score, they can press. And if they press, they can score. High school sports are so much about momentum.”
Hempfield assistant coaches Zack Irwin and Colin Bisignani also were not present on the Spartans bench.
Jim Kiesel, the ninth-grade boys coach, led the Spartans to a win in the junior varsity game. Assistant Dan McGuire joined him.
Danny Husenits led Hempfield with six points.
Hempfield has a quick turnaround with another section home game Sunday against Norwin. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
It appears Katarski will again be in charge of the Spartans.
The Sunday game is odd, but he is making a sacrifice to coach.
“My daughter, Jaela (11), was born in Niagara Falls so she is a big (Buffalo) Bills fan,” Katarski said. “If Jaela isn’t here, I won’t be offended. She loves her Joshy (Allen), as she calls him.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Hempfield, Mt. lebanon
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