Penn Hills boys basketball has big shoes to fill

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 2:12 AM

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After claiming a share of the section title and making playoff runs in the first two seasons under coach Dan DeRose, the Penn Hills boys basketball team will have a new look after the graduation of key contributors.

The Indians (19-4, 12-2), who finished with a share of the Section 3-6A title with Fox Chapel and Latrobe last season, will look for another section title without the services guard Sherron Schifino and forward Chavar Williamson.

Schifino led the Indians in scoring and averaged 21.2 points last season, and Williamson was third on the team with 14.5 points. Both graduated.

This year's Indians will be led by senior guard/forward Daivon Stephens, who averaged 16.6 points last season, and senior point guard Cory Fulton, who is returning after missing last season with a torn ACL.

“The jury is still out on how we will be because a lot of the guys don't have that experience that will be key contributors,” DeRose said.

“They are working extremely hard, and you hope you have your system in place that these kids have been in for a couple of years. You hope they understand what my expectations are as a coach, and they will just fill in for the guys who have left and do their job.”

As Fulton and Stephens take on expanded roles, DeRose hopes for strong contributions from a trio of seniors who saw limited action last season: guard Cameron Wiley, forward Keyshawn Adams and guard Myles Yarborough.

If DeRose wants a big lineup, he will turn to Adams, and a smaller lineup will use junior forward Tyree Spencer. Junior Marshall McArthur also will see some action for the Indians this season.

“We won't be as talented as we have been the first couple of years. These guys were either ninth-graders or sophomores, and they were the guys taking a backseat that now need to be the guys,” DeRose said.

“These are kids that I want to believe have bought into the system, and I hope they will flourish.”

DeRose will utilize a smaller rotation this season, putting more pressure on the team's overall conditioning.

“Some of the guys might have to be out there a little bit longer than the rest. We just got to make sure we are in better shape and better condition than we have been in the past. A lot of the kids have told me that they are in the best condition already,” DeRose said.

“This team is going to be a little bit quicker. We won't have the firepower with Schifino and Chavar, but I think we will be able to make up for the lack of firepower on the defensive end with speed and quickness.”

DeRose felt the Indians were missing one key piece last season — a true point guard. DeRose believes Fulton will help the offense by limiting the amount of turnovers.

“It's very important because you are like the quarterback of the offense and the defense. I got to talk and lead the guys in the right way, especially with Coach D's system. The point guard needs to know every spot on the floor, know what everybody's doing, know where everybody's got to be on the floor,” Fulton said.

The Indians will be led by assistant coach Marvin Wright for the first four games of the season as DeRose serves a suspension from the team's actions after the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals loss to North Hills last season.

Penn Hills will tip off its season at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8 against Lincoln Park at Geneva College.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills