Next week’s clash between rival boys basketball teams from Jeannette, Greensburg CC could be 2A final preview

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, January 2, 2025 | 6:07 PM

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Their matchup is only a week away, but Jeannette and Greensburg Central Catholic are growing tired of waiting.

It’s about time for old friends to tip again. At least that could mean some real in-class competition for the surging teams.

One of the most anticipated matchups in the boys basketball rivalry because of the teams’ current standing and impressive early-season runs will take place next Friday at Jeannette.

It feels much bigger than a first-place showdown in Section 1-2A because it will match teams that could be on a collision course to play multiple times this season.

Many believe they are the top two teams in 2A. It’s them and then everybody else.

Jeannette (9-0, 3-0) is the new No. 1-ranked team in WPIAL Class 2A, and GCC (9-1, 3-0) is nipping at the Jayhawks’ heels at No. 2 after holding the No. 1 spot from the preseason through last week.

“Who knows? Maybe this is a three-game series,” Jeannette coach Adrian Batts said. “Maybe a four-game series.

“We still have to play the games (beforehand). We know it’s coming but can’t get too wrapped up in it. It’s great for double-A and great for our area.”

Buckle up for Game 1. Jeannette is averaging 72.5 points, GCC 69.9.

If rankings hold true — yes, it’s a long way off, and a lot can happen by then — the rivals might be in line to meet in the WPIAL championship. Imagine the gate for that one.

The teams also could be destined to face one another down the road in the PIAA postseason.

Both have been dominant against 2A competition. GCC’s loss was to 6A Hempfield, 63-49, at the Greensburg Salem Holiday Classic.

“We can’t look too far ahead,” Jeannette point guard Kymon’e Brown said. “Each game is a lesson.”

Last year, after GCC beat Jeannette twice by the mercy rule in section play, the Jayhawks stunned the Centurions in the PIAA quarterfinals. The shocking win broke a seven-game losing streak against GCC and launched the Jayhawks into the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2018.

“That was last year,” Batts said. “We don’t really talk about that game now. It’s different this year.”

Both teams are winning games handily, pushing the tempo and showing their athleticism.

“It’s always fun to play them,” GCC coach Christian Hyland said. “We can’t think about it too much, or we’ll be in a big hole mentally going into the game. We don’t want to get too far ahead.

“We don’t want to play them four times.”

Jeannette and GCC did not play each other in the Greensburg Salem Holiday Classic, but both hung around to scout one another, paying close attention to players they already have studied.

“I mean, we have them in the back of our minds,” Brown said. “We know that game is coming up. We know what it means. They like to talk a lot of trash.”

The trash-talk rises from the family connections that make the matchup even more intriguing. Brown and GCC sophomore guard A.J. Tarpley are first cousins.

“We know it’s going to be about transition basketball and playing fast,” Brown said. “We have to play good defense. It comes down to who is playing better that night.”

Brown also is related to Centurions sophomore Brandon Martin and is a close friend of GCC junior guard Samir Crosby, a Jeannette native.

“I’m real excited to play Jeannette,” said Tarpley, a Greensburg Salem transfer. “With my cousin on that team, it’s just a bragging rights game.”

Batts thinks staying sharp is a big key to being ready for GCC, as is experience playing in the rivalry.

“We have had a couple stretches this year where we’ve been off six days,” the coach said. “We have to keep grinding it out. I like our guys. They know about this rivalry. They have some guys that haven’t experienced it before.”

Tarpley, who will get his first taste of GCC-Jeannette, thinks it will be a great matchup.

“I think we could guard every single starter they have on the court, but no one will be able to match up with us, especially with us playing basically five guards,” he said. “We just have to lock in at practice. Our coaches want to beat Jeannette bad, so they make sure we our very focused by going hard in all the drills and just staying tuned in.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Jeannette