Monessen looks to extend playoff streak to 43 years despite graduation of top scorer

By: Dave Mackall
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 5:51 PM

Forty-two and counting.

Hopefully, there will be enough in the tank, Monessen boys basketball coach Dan Bosnic said, to reach the WPIAL playoffs for a 43rd consecutive season.

“We always expect to be competitive and be right there,” said the Greyhounds’ high-energy bench boss, whose otherwise gentle demeanor steadily has guided Monessen to a 98-46 record since he took over the Class A power in 2018 from longtime coach Joe Salvino.

Salvino is entering his seventh season at Belle Vernon having won more than 700 games in a career spanning four decades.

Much like Salvino, Bosnic echoed his predecessor’s chief goal, saying, “We want to make sure we’re putting our guys in positions to be successful in the playoffs.”

But — and Bosnic insisted it’s not an excuse — Monessen will miss high-scoring Lorenzo Gardner, a freshman at Westmoreland County Community College who averaged 23 points per game during his final two high school seasons.

With Gardner leading the way, Monessen rolled into the PIAA playoffs last season before suffering a first-round loss to District 9 Elk County Catholic to end a second straight season of at least 20 victories. The Greyhounds finished 20-6 following a 21-4 mark in 2022-23.

“There’s a lot of new faces, but there are guys back with at least some varsity experience,” Bosnic said. “We’re just looking to see where we can find guys to fill gaps. It’s just life in the Single-A landscape.”

Just 12 teams make up the classification in the WPIAL, though some schools have changed positions following the latest enrollment reclassifications.

While Monessen and Geibel Catholic remain in Section 2, California, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene have departed, climbing the ranks to Class 2A.

Their spots in Section 2-A have been filled by Environmental Charter, Neighborhood Academy, Serra Catholic and St. Joseph.

Monessen returns two three-year starters — senior guard Davontae Robinson and junior forward Rodney Johnson — as well as a group of promising reserves from a year ago, led by a pair of 6-foot-4 underclassmen in junior forward Tayvin Craggette and sophomore forward Dennis Hawkins.

“Overall, we don’t have a ton of experience,” Bosnic said. “A lot of our offense in the past came from (Gardner’s) ability to put the ball in the hole. We’re different without him. We don’t have guys who’ve done it at this level, so we’re going to have to be better on defense if we’re going to make some noise.”

Monessen boys at a glance

Coach: Dan Bosnic

Last year’s record: 20-6 (9-1 Section 2-A)

Returning starters: Rodney Johnson (Jr. F), Davontae Robinson (Sr. G)

Top newcomers: Tayvin Craggette (Jr., F), Jaylen Fritz (Jr. G), Dennis Hawkins (Soph., F), Dariyion Prince (Jr., G)

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