Starting 5: Spotlight shines on Jeannette in Westmoreland County boys basketball

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Previewing high school boys basketball season in Westmoreland County:

5 players to watch

Kymon’e Brown

Sr., G, Jeannette

Floor leader and one of area’s top all-around players averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.4 rebounds a game for the WPIAL 2A champs.

Ian DeCerb

Sr., F, Latrobe

Athletic forward averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and one block a game for the Wildcats.

Noah Felentzer

Sr., G, Southmoreland

Volume scorer averaged 22 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.8 assists a game last season.

Markus McGowan

Jr., G, Jeannette

Key player in Jayhawks’ WPIAL title run averaged team-high 16.1 points per game.

Stanley Rajkovich

Jr., F, Derry

At 6-foot-7 and with a varying skill set, he averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.2 blocks a game for a 4A playoff team.

5 teams to watch

Derry

Three key starters return, including versatile Stanley Rajkovich, Brayden Robinson (10.3 ppg) and Logan Irvin. The fast-paced Trojans look for a return to the WPIAL 4A postseason. How far the bench goes could be the key.

Jeannette

All five starters are back for the Jayhawks, who won their first WPIAL title since 2008. They are one of the favorites again in 2A and are expected to run into highly touted Sewickley Academy at some point. Kymon’e Brown, Jayce Powell and Markus McGowan form an athletic backcourt, while Xavier Odorisio-Farrow and Noah Sunder are sturdy post guys. Jeannette is ranked No. 2 to start the season.

Latrobe

After an unexpected run to the PIAA second round, the Wildcats will have size and experience and should remain in the hunt despite key backcourt losses. Ian DeCerb and Andy Tatsch are glass-cleaning athletes. Watch 6-7 newcomer Robert Young, who played at Summit Academy last year.

Penn-Trafford

An upset of No. 2 Baldwin last year and PIAA berth gave the Warriors belief they could play for larger things. Top returning players including Zach Feldman (6-4) and Tyler Boss should be complemented by some athletic reserves who will stretch the bench.

Southmoreland

The Scotties are primed for an encore with several key players back from their first section championship since 1992. Senior guard Noah Felentzer could see more time at shooting guard. A strong supporting cast includes Brady Sherbondy, Ty Whoric and Stanley Chapman.

5 storylines

Ring chasing

Jeannette and Belle Vernon are looking to repeat as WPIAL champions. Jeannette won the 2A title, its first since 2008, while the Leopards hadn’t experienced a district title since 1978 when they won 4A. Westmoreland County has only had two schools win back-to-back WPIAL titles in boys basketball: Irwin (1947-48) and Monessen (2001-02). Jeannette has five starters back. Belle Vernon has one.

New coaches

Five local teams will be under new leadership.

New coaches took over at Hempfield (Austin Butler), Belle Vernon (Ricky Tyburski), Mt. Pleasant (Mark Katarski), Greensburg Central Catholic (Tim O’Rourke), and Devin Owens (Yough).

Butler, Katarski and O’Rourke are first-year head coaches.

Butler is the Latrobe’s all-time leading scorer. Katarski was an assistant at Hempfield last season, while O’Rourke was an assistant previously at a few local programs.

Tyburski was a long-time assistant to Joe Salvino, while Owens coached the Ringgold girls for two years.

Butler’s first game is Dec. 2 at home against his alma mater. Latrobe visits the Spartan Field House for a 7:30 p.m. tip.

Monessen streak

Monessen adds to an impressive streak each season and the goal won’t change this winter.

The Greyhounds, led by coach Dan Bosnic, who replaced Salvino in 2018, have made the WPIAL playoffs a record 43 straight times. They begin the year ranked No. 5 in Class A.

Showcase circuit

An annual event on the local hoops calendar will have a new home.

The former Shootout at Seton Hill will now be the Shootout at Saint Vincent as it moves to the college in Latrobe.

Seton Hill hosted for 10 years.

The new event will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Boys matchups include Burrell-Eden Christian, Bishop Guilfoyle-Greensburg Central Catholic, Ligonier Valley-Latrobe, Armstrong-Geibel, McKeesport-Kiski Area and Jeannette-Franklin Regional.

Jeannette also will play in the Holiday Bash on Dec. 29 against Bishop Canevin at North Allegheny.

Rivalry down?

With Greensburg Central Catholic rebuilding under O’Rourke’s watch and Jeannette bringing everybody back, what will the county’s top rivalry look like?

There aren’t many gyms as packed as Jeannette and GCC’s are when the teams play each other. And the games are usually tight.

GCC won both section games and a PIAA quarterfinal last year against the Jayhawks.

Jeannette was 25-3 with all three losses coming against the Centurions.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, South Park