With deep roster, Greensburg Central Catholic boys have WPIAL title hopes

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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With the most seniors he’s had and what could be his deepest rotation, Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball coach Christian Hyland expects his team to make another postseason run.

Another championship run could lie ahead.

“We want to get back to the finals and get another shot,” Hyland said. “There are a lot of guys here who know what it takes. That’s always the goal. The season is a long marathon.”

GCC went 24-4 last year and was walloped by Aliquippa in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game 69-32.

The Centurions’ season ended with an upset loss to rival Jeannette in the PIAA second round, 48-46 in overtime.

“It’s not easy to get back there,” Hyland said. “We’ve never won (a title), so that is a big motivator.”

Three senior starters return in Liam Gallagher, Braden Riley and Brady O’Rourke (6-foot-4).

How they mesh with a key newcomer could determine how far GCC goes. Sophomore A.J. Tarpley transferred from Greensburg Salem and should provide instant offense.

“We’ll see how he grows,” Hyland said. “He’s big and physical and has the tools.”

Another big boost is the return of junior Samir Crosby, the Centurions’ standout football player who sat out last basketball season to train for football.

“He’s just tough and brings that leadership,” Hyland said. “He gets all the 50-50 balls, and he is very underrated defensively.”

Gallagher, Riley and O’Rourke will provide big-game experience. Gallagher is the top returning scorer at 10 points per game.

“We’re not as star-studded as we’ve been,” Hyland said, referring to the all-everything tandem of Tyree Turner (21 ppg) and Franco Alvarez (15 ppg). “We have some guys who got overlooked because those two were so good. Our seniors know how we do things. They are smart kids and have a good grip on things.”

Turner, who scored 1,445 career points, was the TribLive Westmoreland Athlete of the Year in 2023-24. He is now playing at John Carroll.

The 6-5 Alvarez is done playing basketball but is chasing an engineering degree at Ohio State.

“We expect to see a lot of zone,” Hyland said. “If we see man (to man), A.J. should benefit a lot.”

Another player who might be called an X-factor is sophomore guard-forward Brandon Martin, a 6-4 rising talent who has a Division I offer from Marshall.

Where he fits in exactly in a rotation that could stretch 10 or 11 deep remains to be seen.

Others looking for make an impact are senior guard Sean Walker, senior forward Ty Rozier (6-3), senior forward Maddox Mignogna (6-4), sophomore guard David Wachinski and sophomore guard Luke Semelka.

Rozier and Mignogna are the only true forwards on a guard-oriented team.

GCC opens the season Dec. 4 against Berlin-Brothersvalley.

The Centurions will be in Section 1-2A and will play 14 section games against Bentworth, California, Clairton, Frazier, Jeannette, Riverview and Springdale.

Other nonsection opponents include Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Bishop Canevin, Belle Vernon, Hempfield, Ligonier Valley and Kiski Area.

Greensburg Central Catholic boys at a glance

Coach: Christian Hyland

Last year’s record: 24-4, 12-0 Section 3-2A

Returning starters: Liam Gallagher (Sr., G), Brady O’Rourke (Sr., G), Braden Riley (Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Samir Crosby (Jr., G), Brandon Martin (So., G/F), Maddox Mignogna (Sr., F), Ty Rozier (Sr., F), Luke Semelka (So., G), A.J. Tarpley (So., G), David Wachinski (So., G), Sean Walker (Sr., G)

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

Tags: Greensburg C.C.