Ligonier Valley boys hope to make strides with new coach, 5 returning starters

By: Dave Mackall
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | 4:35 PM

The idea of five returning starters is a basketball coach’s dream, even for a team that won just four games. Dante Porter hopes to lead that group to success this season as Ligonier Valley’s new boys coach.

Senior guard Parker Hollick tops the list of returning players for the Rams, whose returnees are a year older and appearing motivated to improve.

“We were young last year, but we’re a little more batted-tested now,” Porter said. “It starts with Parker. He played extremely well last year.

“He’s been great since we got here. The kids feed off him because he’s definitely the leader on the floor. We’ve challenged him, and it’s been a little bit of a learning experience, but he knows what’s expected. He knows the brand of basketball we want to be playing.”

It is Porter’s first head coaching job but not his first time serving on a bench.

He spent last season as a volunteer assistant at Berlin Brothersvalley, which lost to Imani Christian in the PIAA Class A championship game.

Before that, Porter was an assistant to his dad, Don Porter, for five seasons at Geibel, where the Gators made WPIAL Class A playoff appearances each year from 2019-23, advancing three times to the PIAA playoffs.

“I’m trying to take what I can from my dad and (Berlin Brothersvalley coach) Tanner Prosser and build something,” Porter said. “Winning is not easy. We need to bring it every day.”

Don Porter and former Ligonier Valley star Michael Marinchak, the school’s second all-time leading scorer who played on the Rams’ PIAA District 6-3A championship team in 2018, will serve as assistants.

“Mike told the kids, ‘You’ve got to get 1% better every day,’” Dante Porter said. “Our practice style has become a little more intense, and you’ve got to just keep stacking these practices because it’s so important in building some momentum and enthusiasm before the seasons starts.”

Aside from Hollick, point guard Noah Knupp, just a sophomore, returns after splitting time at the position last season as a freshman.

“He’s the definition of a true point guard,” Porter said. “He has the temperament and ability to settle things down. We want the ball in his hands at critical times because he’s a true extension of a coach.”

Simeon Pope, a 6-foot-4 junior, and the Wisniewski brothers — senior guard Brian and junior guard Mike — round out the Rams’ returning starters.

Pope gives Ligonier Valley a formidable inside presence.

“He’s super athletic, he can jump out of the gym and he can put the ball in the basket,” Porter said.

Of the Wisniewskis, he said, “They’re shooters and high defenders. They can shoot the leather off the basketball.”

Senior guard John Jablunovsky, a Ligonier Valley football star, is back on the basketball team after taking a season off. He was a starter for the Rams as a sophomore in 2022-23.

The 5-10 Jablunovsky, who rushed for 1,243 yards this season, and another senior, 6-3 forward Gabe Trimble, are among another group bidding for playing time.

“We’ve had great numbers,” Porter said. “We’ve had as many as 20 kids out for open gym after the football season ended.”

Others expected to play significant minutes are Greyson Daugherty, a 6-5 freshman, along with juniors Levi Moser, Jake Petalino and Mike Vargulish-Graver and sophomore Tyler Queer.

“The first thing that stuck out with me was the level of buy-in from this team,” Porter said. “It’s been a joy so far.”

Ligonier Valley opens the season on Dec. 3 against Valley at home.

Ligonier Valley boys at a glance

Coach: Dante Porter

Last year’s record: 4-18 (3-9 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Parker Hollick (Sr., G), Noah Knupp (Soph., G), Simeon Pope (Jr., F), Brian Wisniewski (Sr., G), Mike Wisniewski (Jr., G)

Top newcomers: Greyson Daugherty (Fr., G/F), John Jablunovsky (Sr., G), Levi Moser (Jr., F), Jake Petalino (Jr., G), Tyler Queer (Soph., G), Gabe Trimble (Sr. F), Mike Vargulish-Graver (Jr., G)

Tags: Ligonier Valley