Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week for March 17, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, March 17, 2024 | 7:05 PM

Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week: Hampton Talbots

Coach: Joe Lafko (28th season)

Record: 25-4 overall, 10-0 in Section 1-4A

#Earned: Following a loss in the WPIAL championship game to Lincoln Park, Hampton has bounced back nicely in the state playoffs. Coming off a 20-point victory over Hickory in the PIAA Class 4A first round, in the second round against District 6 champion Johnstown the Talbots built a big lead only to have the Trojans come back and take a late advantage. With the game tied, senior Peter Kramer hit two free throws with six seconds remaining before a Johnstown 3-pointer was waived off as an official determined it came after the buzzer. In the quarterfinals on Friday, Hampton used a big second quarter to take a halftime lead by five points over District 3 champion Eastern York. The Talbots and Panthers went back-and-forth in the second half before Hampton prevailed 60-54.

Scoring stars: In the second round victory over Johnstown, Kramer led the way 21 points, including the game- winning free throws with six seconds left, plus senior teammate Liam Mignogna chipped in with 14 points. On Friday in the triumph over Central York, again Kramer and Mignogna enjoyed big scoring nights with 22 and 15 points, respectively, plus senior Alex Nyilas added 17 points for the Talbots.

Last year: Last year was similar to this season when all of the current seniors were tasting success as juniors. Hampton won the Section 1-4A title with a perfect 10-0 record; however, Kramer had to sit out the postseason after transferring following his sophomore season from Shady Side Academy to his home district of Hampton. The Talbots still had playoff success, reaching the district quarterfinals before falling to Highlands. Then after qualifying for the PIAA postseason, Hampton beat Grove City before losing in the second round to Laurel Highlands by seven points.

Remember when: Hampton always seemed to be the bridesmaid in WPIAL boys basketball in the late 2000’s, finishing second in the district to Moon in 2006, to Chartiers Valley in 2010 and to New Castle 2012, 2013 and 2014. However, 15 years ago, the Talbots struck gold when they defeated Highlands in the WPIAL Class 3A boys basketball championship game, 84-59. When Hampton faces Lincoln Park on Monday in a rematch of the 2024 WPIAL title game, it will be the program’s fifth state semifinals game. They lost in 2009, 2010 and 2012, but they won their first PIAA final four game 40 years ago, beating Sto-Rox in a 1984 semifinals game, 59-51.

2024 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Teams of the Week

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: Hampton