High school notebook: Imani Christian basketball coach steps down

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | 3:20 PM

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There are big changes ahead for the Imani Christian Academy boys basketball program.

Not only are the Saints moving down in classification after two years of playing in Class 6A, they will do so with a new head coach.

Coach Khayree Wilson resigned on Tuesday after three seasons.

“This decision is incredibly heartbreaking for me because Imani is much more than just the place where I coached,” Wilson said in a statement. “It is where I grew up as a young man, where I wore the jersey as a player, where I graduated, and where I began my coaching journey. Having the opportunity to return and lead the program meant a great deal to me, and it is something I will always be proud of.”

In his first year as Saints bench boss, Wilson guided Imani Christian to a second straight WPIAL and PIAA championship in the 2023-24 season with a record of 19-10.

After dominating Class A, the school then made the voluntary move to Class 6A, despite having small enrollment numbers with only 33 boys in grades 9-11 at the time.

Last season, Imani Christian finished in second place in Section 2-6A behind eventual champion Upper St. Clair.

The Saints were upended in the quarterfinals by Mt. Lebanon, 64-61, to finish 13-8.

This winter, Imani Christian struggled to reach the postseason, finishing in a tie for the fifth and final playoff spot in Section 2-6A.

The Saints ended up with a record of 6-16 following an 83-69 first-round victory over North Hills, and a 64-39 quarterfinal loss to Central Catholic.

“Over time, it became clear that the long-term vision I have for building and leading a basketball program no longer aligned with the direction of the school,” Wilson said. “Because of that, I believe it is best for both sides to move forward in different directions.”

Earlier, the school had announced it would not be playing up in the next two-year cycle.

“I want to be very clear that this decision was not easy,” Wilson said. “The relationships I’ve built with our players, families and supporters are incredibly meaningful to me. I am deeply grateful to the players who trusted me, the parents who supported our program, and the staff and community members who believed in what we were building.”

Raffle out at LH

Laurel Highlands will be looking for the football program’s third head coach in as many years following the resignation of Aaron Raffle on Monday.

Raffle replaced Richard Kolesar before the 2025 season.

The Mustangs finished in last place in the Class 4A Big Six Conference with a 0-5 conference record.

Laurel Highlands won its first two games under Raffle, beating Uniontown and Ambridge.

The team scored only 41 more points the rest of the season in losing its final eight games.

Mt. Lebanon hires gridiron coach

Mt. Lebanon hired a new football coach Monday night. Former South Fayette assistant coach Bruce Fronk became the Blue Devils’ third head coach in four years since Bob Palko resigned.

“I’m happy for Bruce. He has been an assistant, coordinator and has worked with some great mentors,” Mt. Lebanon athletic director John Grogan said. “I’m looking forward to him getting an opportunity to lead his own program.”

Fronk takes over Greg Perry, who resigned after two seasons and is the new pass game coordinator and quarterback coach at Pine-Richland. The Blue Devils were 5-16 overall in his two years, earning a playoff berth in 2024.

Fronk is the interim assistant principal at Mellon Middle School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.

“Bruce has been a good teacher and administrator in our district, and I’m excited to now see him lead the football program,” Grogan said.

Two new district ADs

Peters Township has a new athletic director. A week after Brian Geyer left the district to become the assistant executive director at the WPIAL, Mark Elphinstone has been hired to replace him as athletic director at Peters Township.

Elphinstone comes to Peters Township after 23 years working in the Keystone Oaks School District.

“It’s been 23 great years at Keystone Oaks working with great kids, community members, teachers, staff and administrators,” Elphinstone said. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career at Peters Township. I have had an opportunity to meet a lot of great people that work for the district and community.”

McKeesport also has a new AD. The district hired Adam Shaffer, who had been working as a social studies teacher in the McKeesport School District.

He takes over for the retired Charley Kiss, who had worked in the district for more than 20 years.

Tags: Imani Christian, Laurel Highlands, McKeesport, Mt. lebanon, Peters Township