Shaler boys show flashes of potential in playoff season

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Shaler boys basketball coach Brandon Sensor would have liked to see the Titans go into the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs with more of a running start. But a few results at the tail end of the schedule won’t taint a solid regular season.

The Titans returned to the playoffs after a year’s absence by finishing second in Section 2-5A, turning in a 13-9 overall record and an 8-4 mark in section play. Shaler was scheduled to open the playoffs against Franklin Regional on Feb. 17, the results of which were too late for this edition.

“I’m excited to be in the playoffs with these guys,” Sensor said. “We returned five guys from last year, and that was their first year getting varsity experience. I wished we finished stronger than we did, but we learned from it.”

Shaler lost four of its final six games, including back-to-back games against Indiana and Hampton to close the season. Sensor said that the Titans will need to be more consistent on defense.

The Titans have allowed 57.8 points per game. Shaler averages 65 points per game on the other end.

“We need to dig deeper and play good defense more consistently,” Sensor said.

Shaler has shown flashes of that intensity. The Titans have leaned on Nick Perez and Trey Kostorick to spark them on defense.

“They use every ounce of energy every time they are in,” Sensor said. “Nick has a knack for rebounding and getting steals. Trey doesn’t stop when he’s in.”

Shaler has benefited on offense from having 6-foot senior guard Jordan Epps in the lineup. Epps is scoring around 20 points per game.

“He’s a dynamic scorer when he gets going,” Sensor said. “He can beat anybody one on one. He draws a lot of attention. That’s what we’ve seen a lot of late in the season with teams focusing on him.”

Shaler’s best stretch of basketball may have come in early January. The Titans went on the road and beat Indiana by 12 points and followed that up with wins over Hampton and Armstrong.

“I think we get out in transition well and can score in transition,” Sensor said. “We shoot the ball well at times.”

Sensor said playing against physical section opponents such as Penn Hills, Hampton and Indiana helped the Titans get better. He knows that his team will have to match that type of intensity to keep marching on in the postseason.

“We’ve shown flashes,” Sensor said.

“We’ve done it at times, but we haven’t been consistent enough. That’s what we are working on now. We know what we are good at. We can’t change who we are, but we can improve where you are and lock in more.”

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