Jeannette’s Cunningham, Latrobe’s Graytok named Westmoreland Trib Players of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 4:42 PM

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Jeannette's Tre Cunningham and Latrobe's Laura Graytok have been named the Basketball Players of the Year for the Westmoreland Tribune-Review.

Boys Player of the Year

Tre Cunningham

Jeannette, 6-4, Senior, guard/forward

Tre Cunningham sometimes gets razzed about having a flat 3-point shot. His shot may lack arc, but when Jeannette needed a long-range spark in tight games, Cunningham was ready to deliver — no matter how it looked.

The rangy Jeannette senior emerged as a scoring threat and helped lead the Jayhawks to the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals in Class 2A.

“Tre really stepped up this season for us,” Jeannette coach Adrian Batts said. “There were times when he really carried us.”

For his efforts, Cunningham is the Tribune-Review Westmoreland Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Ligonier Valley junior Marrek Paola, Latrobe junior guard Reed Fenton and Greensburg Salem senior guard Marvel McGowan also were considered.

Cunningham was told early in his career that he passed up good shots. While his assist totals were up, he was giving up quality scoring chances.

The slender, 6-foot-4 swingman became more assertive this season and ended up averaging 18.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for Jeannette (21-5). He took flight — literally — finishing fast breaks with slam dunks while keeping defenders honest with his perimeter shooting. There may not have been a more dangerous shooter in Class 2A from the corner.

When defenders closed out on him, he went by them. When they shadowed him in the paint, he popped outside.

A standout in three sports — a receiver, kicker and linebacker in football and a pitcher in baseball — Cunningham has helped Jeannette win WPIAL and PIAA football titles and a WPIAL baseball championship.

People say your 3-point shot lacks arc. What do you think about your technique?

Why would I fix it if it is working?

How do you manage to transition so well from one sport to the next?

My dad always tells me it's muscle memory, I never really forget how to play; I just get a little rusty.

Coaches say your a great team guy. Where do you get those qualities?

I just tell my teammates things that will help them get better. I also like to push my teammates in practice to get them ready for game situations.

What will you remember most about this season?

How much of a bond our team made this season; we are like a bunch of brothers, and that bond cannot be broken.

You were once told you were too unselfish. Did you feel like you asserted yourself more offensively?

Yes, because during the season I started to realize my team needed me more than what I was producing. So I had to take more shots but still also look for the open man.

What makes a good senior leader?

Someone who always wants the best for the team and doesn't care about themselves.

How do you want Jeannette fans to remember you?

I want the fans to remember me as the player who excelled in every sport. I don't want them to think I was only good at one sport.

Favorite NBA player or pro athlete?

Favorite NBA player is Dwyane Wade, and my all-time favorite pro athlete is Andrew McCutchen.

What did you think when the Pirates traded Cutch?

Let's just say they are no longer my favorite team.

Can't-miss TV show?

“Everybody Hates Chris,” because everyone says I look like Chris.

What sport are you leaning toward playing in college?

It's definitely between baseball and basketball. I'm just weighing my options right now.

Terrific 10

Boys

Bryce Butler

Latrobe

6-5, JR., GUARD/FORWARD

Versatile swingman helped lead Latrobe back to WPIAL 6A playoffs where they won a first-round game. … Gave the Wildcats 20 points, six rebounds and three assists a game.

Reed Fenton

Latrobe

6-4, JR., GUARD

Smooth-going backcourt leader was one of area's top scoring threats. … Averaged 22 points, 4.5 assists and three steals for the Wildcats, who averaged 71.6 points.

Sean Kelly

Penn-Trafford

6-1, SR., GUARD

Athletic guard returned from injury-plagued junior season to lead Warriors' backcourt. … York recruit averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists.

Robert Kennedy

Jeannette

6-0, SR., GUARD

One of area's top all-around guards provided Jayhawks 14 points and 3.7 rebounds a game. … Steadied team that reached WPIAL semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals in 2A.

Nate Leopold

Franklin Regional

6-1, SR., GUARD

Provided leadership to WPIAL Class 5A runner-up Panthers (20-6). … Guided team to first section title in decade and scored more than 1,000 career points. Averaged 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds.

Marvel McGowan

Greensburg Salem

6-1, SR., GUARD

Averaged 24 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. … Finished with 1,225 for his career. … Helped Greensburg Salem return to WPIAL playoffs for first time since 2015.

Marrek Paola

Ligonier Valley

6-6, JR., FORWARD/CENTER

Dominant post presence for Rams (21-5), who won District 6 championship in first title-game appearance in 31 years. … Averaged county-best 24.3 points, 13.7 rebounds per game.

Josh Ratesic

Norwin

6-3, SR., GUARD

Get-to-the-rim guard was Norwin's go-to scorer. … Averaged 16 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Knights. Will play at Allegheny.

Hunter Stonecheck

Franklin Regional

6-4, SR., GUARD/FORWARD

Physical enforcer was one of key reasons WPIAL 5A runner-up Panthers allowed just 47.1 points per game and made WPIAL title game. … Averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds.

Girls Player of the Year

Laura Graytok

Latrobe, 5-7, senior, guard

Latrobe's Laura Graytok couldn't help but be reminded of her sibling rivalries when she took the basketball court this season.

Her older brothers, Brian and Sean, helped her become the player she is today, first through intense basement battles on a kiddie hoop, to driveway competitions, to simple off-the-court guidance and advice.

Little sister, though, had the last laugh.

In a sibling trio that combined for more than 4,000 career points at the high school level, the standout guard scored more career points than both of her brothers — 1,591 to be exact — while guiding Latrobe to a 17-7 record and the program's first playoff win since 2007 in her final season.

“It's nice to get one on them,” she said with a grin.

Graytok also got one on a strong field of local talent: She is the Tribune-Review Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Hempfield's Allison Podkul also was considered.

An American University recruit, Graytok averaged 23.1 points for the Wildcats, who flirted with a section championship before Norwin ran them down late in the year.

She had 18 points in a first-round playoff win over Shaler, Latrobe's first postseason victory since 2006-07.

Graytok continued to get points on quick drives to the rim and very few defenders could stop her. She was relentless at times on defense and averaged four steals a game.

“There aren't many players who work as hard as Laura does,” Latrobe coach Mark Burkhardt said. “Practice will be over, and she is still in there shooting and working on her game.

“We had a different group this year, and Laura really became a leader. You could tell she had a lot of fun playing with the girls.”

Graytok, who also produced 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, finished second on the school's all-time girls scoring list behind Jen Sobota (2,093 points).

What did it mean to you to carry on the Graytok family name?

To grow up being able to play basketball just like my brothers and having been able to be doing it this long, I really am blessed. I'm lucky to continue playing, and I'm proud of my brothers for doing the same.

Is there a game or specific play that stands out for you from this season?

The play that sticks out to me the most was when Shelby Wetzel broke her nose running into Lex Pynos. I don't think you see that too often.

What do you want to be remembered for at Latrobe?

For being part of a team that started the turning point for the program. We didn't win a section title, but we started to turn the program around.

Are you a better point guard or two-guard?

I don't know for sure. But I do know I need to be very comfortable as the point guard since that'll be my position at American.

Can't-miss TV show?

“Friday Night Lights” or “One Tree Hill.” But they don't play on Netflix now, so …

Favorite NBA player?

All-time is Kobe Bryant. Right now is probably Russ Westbrook.

Longest post-practice workout and how many shots?

Shelby (Wetzel) and I used to get up a lot of shots after practice. One time I think we split 1,000 and the gun stopped counting.

You're from Latrobe. How many times have you seen Mister Rogers' Neighborhood?

I think I used to watch Mr. Rogers sometimes growing up. The man's a legend.

What is your best sport other than basketball?

My second sport is track. It's very, very tough but I love the people who do it, and we have a good time.

What will you bring to American?

I'm not sure what (the future) holds, but I can't describe how excited I am for that chapter coming up.

Terrific 10

Mackenzie Aunkst

Penn-Trafford

5-7, SR., GUARD

Despite missing time with knee injury, Aunkst led Warriors' backcourt and defense with her tenacious approach. … Averaged 10.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Dymond Crawford

Jeannette

5-9, JR., GUARD

High-energy guard Was Jayhawks' top scorer. … Averaged 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game and connected on 62 3-pointers.

Anna Eisaman

Greensburg C.C.

5-8, JR. GUARD

Averaged 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 2.0 blocks for Centurions, who made playoffs for 18th straight year. … Shot 40 percent from 3-point range.

Megan Kallock

Greensburg Salem

5-7, JR., GUARD

Led all Westmoreland girls in scoring at 23.6 ppg, but was more than offensive threat. … Also provided 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.1 assists. Has 1,299 career points.

Cali Konek

Southmoreland

5-7, JR., GUARD

Came back to WPIAL from Maryland and averaged 17.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.2 steals in season cut short by knee injury. … Charlotte recruit has 1,528 career points.

Isi Palamone

Franklin Regional

5-10, SR., GUARD/FORWARD

Continued to be team leader for Panthers in her second season since transferring from Woodland Hills. … Scored 1,053 career points and averaged 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Lexie Petrof

Ligonier Valley

5-8, SR., FORWARD

Post player eclipsed 1,000-point mark for her career and helped lead Rams to District 6 playoffs. … Averaged 17.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game after missing junior season with injury.

Allison Podkul

Hempfield

5-8, SR., GUARD

Helped Hempfield come on strong late in season to keep team's WPIAL playoff streak going at 17 years. … Posted 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals per game.

Magen Polczynski

Norwin

5-6, SR., GUARD

Played key role on both ends of floor for Knights, who rallied late to win Section 2-6A title. … Averaged 11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.6 steals.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield Area, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland