Yough boys looking for bounce back after trying season

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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The 2024-25 boys basketball season at Yough could be considered a disappointment.

After tying for a Section 4-3A title in 2023-24, the Cougars stumbled hard in 2024-25 in Class 4A.

The Cougars went 1-21 overall and 0-12 in Section 3.

The tough season also saw Yough replace Bill Sherbondy as coach after one season.

Devin Owens, who previously coached the girls at Ringgold and boys at Propel Andrew Street, took over.

Owens played high school football and basketball at Carrick and football at Saint Vincent.

“I love coaching basketball,” Owens said. “We must learn how to win again and change the culture.

“I am still learning about the players. I just got hired in mid-August. I feel we will surprise people.”

The Cougars return three starters from last year’s squad — senior guard Ryan Westerman, senior forward Jackson Pore and junior forward Brody King.

“I love we have a young group that is willing to learn the game,” Owens said. “My goal is to rebuild. We have some good young players battling for playing time.”

Others back are junior guard Ian Toman, sophomore point guard Tyler Smith, sophomore shooting guard Hayden Smith and sophomore forward John Gergely.

Two freshmen are expected to compete for playing time — guard Hunter Auen and power forward Wyatt Kalna.

“I like our quickness,” Owens said. “We just must build our confidence. Even though I played college football, I love coaching basketball, I am having fun. Our defense should be good, and we will be able to rebound. We just need to get experience.”

Yough was 19-7 overall in 2023-24 while playing in Class 3A.

Three Yough players who played on playoff teams in 2022-23 and 2023-24 are playing Division III basketball.

Austin Matthews and Tyler Travillion are playing at Geneva, and Terek Crosby is at Saint Vincent. The Cougars moved to Class 4A last year and found the competition tougher.

They are in a section that includes Elizabeth Forward, Belle Vernon, Derry, Greensburg Salem, West Mifflin and East Allegheny.

“The section will be competitive,” Owens said. “I hope we will compete.”

Some of the nonsection teams on the schedule include Mt. Pleasant, Connellsville, Southmoreland, Apollo-Ridge Waynesburg and Carrick.

Yough boys at a glance

Coach: Devin Owens

Last year’s record: (0-12 Section 3-4A)

Returning starters: Ryan Westerman (Sr., G), Jackson Pore (Sr., F), Brody King (Jr., SF).

Others to watch: Ian Toman (Jr., G), Tyler Smith (So., PG). Hayden Smith (So., G), John Gergely (So., F).

Top newcomers: Wyatt Kalna (Fr. PF), Hunter Auen (Fr., G).

SCHEDULE

11.28, Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m.

12.2, at Connellsville, 7:30 p.m.

12.5, Laurel Highlands^, 5:30 p.m.

12.6, TBA^

12.8, at Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m.

12.9, at Southmoreland, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, at Greensburg Salem*, 7:30 p.m.

12.15, at Apollo-Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

12.16, Belle Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, at West Mifflin*, 7:30 p.m.

12.22, at California, 7:30 p.m.

1.6, Derry*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, at Elizabeth Forward*, 7:30 p.m.

1.13, East Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

1.16, Greensburg Salem*, 7:30 p.m.

1.20, at Belle Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

1.21, Carrick, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, West Mifflin*, 7:30 p.m.

1.28, Waynesburg, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, at Derry*, 7:30 p.m.

2.3, Elizabeth Forward*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, at East Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Ligonier Valley tournament

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.