Sewickley Academy boys deliver 1st win to coach Mike Iuzzolino

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The game of basketball has taken Mike Iuzzolino, Sewickley Academy’s first-year boys hoops coach, to Europe and back.

Iuzzolino’s focus Dec. 7, nonetheless, was at 315 Academy Ave. in Sewickley for a nonsection game against Riverview.

The Panthers steamrolled past the Raiders, 56-28, to give the retired professional basketball player his first victory as a high school coach.

“I was very happy for the kids,” Iuzzolino said. “I was extremely proud of how they responded after a tough loss the night before. I told them life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond, and I thought their response was very mature for young men.

“I think they are still learning what we expect of them on a daily basis. We have really only been together for a short period of time. They are extremely coachable and very receptive to our coaching staff’s style but still have to understand that as a staff we emphasis that you don’t rise to the occasion on game night but always fall to the level of your training. Getting them to understand that has been our biggest challenge.”

Sewickley Academy (1-1) was led offensively against Riverview by 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Adam Ikamba (12 points), junior guard Lucas Grimsley (9) and freshman guard Connor Tull (8), who accounted for 29 points between them.

Ikamba, Grimsley and Tull were joined in the starting lineup by freshman guard Drew Steals and senior forward Nolan Donnelly.

“I’m extremely excited about how our freshmen and sophomores have handled being thrown into the fire,” Iuzzolino said. “We had seven kids play significant varsity minutes that never played in a varsity game before. Everyone wants results immediately, but I am more focused on the process and making sure we are doing things the right way.

“It’s about building a foundation for a program and not just a team. My goal for us is to be better in February than we are in December.”

The Sewickley boys, who lost their season opener to Nazareth Prep, 42-40, are members of Section 2-2A. Their section opponents are Brentwood, Eden Christian Academy, Leechburg, Northgate, Propel Braddock Hills and Winchester Thurston.

The Panthers’ first section test will take place Dec. 19 at home against Winchester Thurston. The opening tip is set for 7:30 p.m.

SA girls focused on growth

Sewickley Academy’s girls basketball team started out 1-2 this season with a 35-27 win against Moniteau sandwiched between losses to Winchester Thurston, 50-17, and Farrell, 50-27.

Sophomore guard Emma Eannarino led the Panthers against Moniteau with 23 points.

“Our youth is showing early in the season,” Sewickley coach Jill Capozzi said. “However, this team, comprised of 12 sophomores/freshmen on a 14-player roster, is also proving to be very coachable.

“We are going to have growing pains, but if we continue to keep a growth mindset then I anticipate us coming together nicely as the season progresses. Our players want to compete and are gathering information daily to help them understand and play the game at this level. I love this team’s mentality and desire to learn.”

Sewickley’s starting lineup consists of two seniors, guard Skylar Nocito and forward Josie Whitcraft, sophomore forward Grace Jardini, freshman guard Molly Cephas and Eannarino. Nocito and Whitcraft are the only upperclassmen on the squad.

The Panthers are in Section 1-A along with Aquinas Academy, Eden Christian Academy, Leechburg, Springdale, St. Joseph, Union and Western Beaver.

“We are in a new section this year,” Capozzi said, “but our expectations are always the same and that is to go into every game ready to compete and play for each other and learn from the experience.”

The Panthers were scheduled Dec. 12 to host Eden Christian and play Dec. 16 at Aquinas Academy, followed by a home game Dec. 19 against Union.

Tags: Sewickley Academy