Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week for Jan. 6, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Monday, January 6, 2025 | 7:26 PM

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Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week – Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles

Coach: Gary Goga (4th season)

Record: 2-0 in Section 2-3A, 9-2 overall

#Earned: It has been a struggle for Gary Goga since taking over the Keystone Oaks boys basketball program. In the three previous seasons, the Golden Eagles have never won more than 11 games and were a combined 25-40 with three straight swings and misses at a postseason berth. However, this winter has a much different feel as KO has delivered the knockout punch to nine of its first 11 opponents, leaving the Golden Eagles five wins shy of their combined victory total from the last two years combined. On Friday in a return to Section 2-3A action, Keystone Oaks knocked off visiting Washington, 56-45, thanks to a strong finish as the Golden Eagles outscored the Little Prexies in the fourth quarter, 18-8. The win keeps KO in a tie for first place in the section with Bishop Canevin.

Scoring stars: Friday was a typical day at the office for junior Erond Jakupi, as the 6-foot-3 junior guard continues to be one of the top scorers in the district. Against Washington, Jakupi had a game-high 26 points to lead the Golden Eagles to their second section win in as many games. He is in the top 10 in scoring in the WPIAL with 228 points and is averaging 20.7 points per game. Also in the win over the Little Prexies, 6-3 junior guard Joey Colton scored 14 points as Keystone Oaks ended a two-game losing streak that followed an 8-0 start.

Last year: Keystone Oaks ended calendar year 2023 with a win over Geibel Catholic and began 2024 with a section victory over South Park. Those wins gave Keystone Oaks four victories in six games and improved its overall record to 4-6. However, it was all downhill from there as the Golden Eagles dropped nine of their final 10 games to finish in sixth place in the seven-team Section 2-3A with a 4-8 section record and an overall mark of 5-15. KO was outscored in its final two games against section co-champ Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and fifth-place Brentwood by a combined score of 148-46.

Remember when: Keystone Oaks is off to a great start toward earning the program’s first playoff berth since 2019 when the team finished 12-11 and lost in the Class 3A first round to current section foe Washington, 56-43. It is the only time the Golden Eagles have reached the playoffs in the last 10 seasons. KO was also one and done in 2014, 2012 and 2011. The program’s most recent WPIAL boys basketball playoff win was in 2008 when the Golden Eagles defeated Belle Vernon in the Class 3A first round, 64-56, before falling to Hopewell in the quarterfinals, 77-66. The Golden Eagles ousted Oliver from the City League to earn a spot in the PIAA playoffs that year but lost by 15 points in the state opener to General McLane. Sixteen years ago, Goga led Peters Township to the 2009 WPIAL Class 4A championship.

A look back at the 2023-2024 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Teams of the Week:

Week 12 – Aliquippa Quips, Imani Christian Saints, Lincoln Park Leopards

Week 11 – Hampton Talbots

Week 10 – Fox Chapel Foxes

Week 9 – Upper St. Clair Panthers

Week 8 – Baldwin Highlanders

Week 7 – Woodland Hills Wolverines

Week 6 – Beaver Bobcats

Week 5 – Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils

Week 4 – South Allegheny Gladiators

Week 3 – Central Catholic Vikings

Week 2 – Gateway Gators

Week 1 – Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions

Tags: Keystone Oaks