New coach hopes to put Chartiers Valley boys basketball back on winning track

By: Ted Sarneso
Sunday, November 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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New Chartiers Valley basketball coach Corey Dotchin was looking for a coaching job closer to home last winter after he and his wife had their first baby.

“The round trip was a lot,” said Dotchin. “I was getting up and leaving for work at 6 in the morning, going to practice at 3 until 6 and I’m not walking through the door at home until 7 on practice nights and not until after 11 on game nights. I was fully committed at Highlands. But with a child in the picture, I wanted to be present for my family.”

Dotchin made the move from Highlands, where he compiled a record of 55-22. He is tasked with putting the Colts back on the winning track.

Charters Valley has had success in past seasons under coaches Tim McConnell and Brandon Sensor. Dotchin wants to build on that success.

“Year in and year out, we’re going to put a competitive team on the floor that’s a WPIAL title and section title contender,” Dotchin said.

Last season, the Colts finished with an 11-12 record, 4-6 in section play. They made the playoffs and put up a fight against third-seeded Shaler in the first round, losing by two points, 73-71. It was a promising showing for the team heading into the offseason.

“I think it’s something to keep them hungry and motivated,” said Dotchin. “My first day, I watched some of our game film from last year just to get familiar with the team. One thing that stuck out is we had way too much talent to be an 11-12 team.”

Dotchin and his staff are getting the players ready and are out to shock people this season.

“We’re looking to catch some eyes,” Dotchin said. “Teams are going to be looking at us based off our record last year.”

The Colts got to work almost immediately after Dotchin was hired.

They participated in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club League run by John Giammarco. The team lost two games in that league and made it all the way to the semifinals. Then they went up to New Castle and played two games in a shootout over the summer.

The team just recently played in the Caveman Fall League at North Allegheny and reached the semifinals in that league.

“We’ve been in the gym three to four days a week since I got the job,” said Dotchin. “We’ve played close to 35-40 games already.”

The Colts return a talent-rich roster, but it is more important for Dotchin that his players fully understand the mental part of the game.

“We want to show them, and make sure they understand, the reasons behind certain decisions in certain situations,” Dotchin said.

The Colts return a pair of double-digit scorers that Dotchin will rely on as leaders.

Jayden Davis averaged 19.6 points per game and Julian Semplice added 13.8 ppg.

Davis, who’s close to 2,000 points for his career, has the experience and leadership that Dotchin is looking for from his seniors, and Semplice has been a starter since he was a freshman.

Dotchin also pointed to Danny Slizik (6.7 ppg) as a player who will contribute more with the increased playing time he’ll see.

“There’s also a bunch of kids in that junior class that are ready to contribute,” Dotchin said. “We have athletes, speed, skill, multiple guys that can shoot the basketball. I’m really excited for what we have and am looking to build on that and fine-tune the details to make us as successful as possible.”

One of the potential breakthrough players is junior Logan Helfrick, who has risen up as a role player with a lot of passion for the game.

“He’s a kid who didn’t play much as a sophomore last year, but since I’ve gotten the job, he’s been very vocal and he’s really starting to take a leadership role and grow, letting his voice be heard,” Dotchin said. “He can also shoot the ball with the best of them. He’s a smart kid and he competes. He’s a team guy.”

Also joining the team after football season ended are Jake Lewis and Julius Best, who each bring a lot of athleticism.

“They’re continuing to get better. I just haven’t had a lot of time with those two guys,” said Dotchin. “I got the job, summer ended and they jumped right into football.”

Another player to keep an eye on is freshman Luca Federico.

“He’s really starting to figure things out at the high school level. He played on the freshman team last year as an eighth grader, so he’s developing nicely and will be a huge piece for us in the future.”

As far as goals for this season, Dothcin likes to break the season up into segments.

“Our first goal is to compete for a section title,” he said. “You don’t get to the playoffs without being competitive and successful in your own section, and we want to be the best team in our section.”

The Colts are in one of the tougher sections in Class 5A. Moon Area, which is the reigning 5A champion, returns a lot of players and has one of the best young coaches in the WPIAL in Gino Palmosina.

Montour was 21-6 and brings back all but one senior. Lincoln Park was back-to-back WPIAL champion in Class 4A. Mars is a team that’s in the playoffs every year, and the Colts also have to contend with West Allegheny and Blackhawk.

“Montour’s going to be tough, and you know the pedigree Lincoln Park has with coach (Mike) Barinski and all the WPIAL championships he’s been a part of. He’ll have them prepared,’ said Dotchin. “Mars has a new coach and will have a new identity.”

It may be a gauntlet, but Dotchin knows that fire hardens steel.

“I’m a basketball junkie,” said Dotchin. “I know a lot about these teams. Every game is going to be a battle, and that’s good for us. It means we’ll be battle-tested come playoff time and ready to compete against anyone.”

Tags: Chartiers Valley