Westmoreland basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford’s Stinelli, Rocco find rhythm

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, January 3, 2019 | 7:57 PM

Backcourt teammates can take a few seasons to mesh, and that has been the case at Penn-Trafford with senior Kevin Stinelli and junior Zach Rocco.

But now that the pair has found a rhythm, the Warriors (6-3, 1-0) are thriving as they prepare for a key stretch on the Section 3-6A schedule. With the use of year-round competition, team camps and tournaments, and even metrics utilized by teams at higher levels, Penn-Trafford is back in the fast lane.

“The way we play, we share the ball and look out for each other,” Rocco said.

Stinelli scored in bunches from the perimeter during the two-day Penn-Trafford holiday tournament, netting 27 and 21 points in wins over Plum and McKeesport, respectively. He hit six 3-pointers in the first game and five in the second.

Rocco, meantime, scored 24 against Plum and dished 12 assists in the McKeesport win.

Stinelli is averaging 16 points and Rocco, 15.5. As a team, the Warriors are averaging 20.5 assists and shooting nearly 45 percent from 3-point range.

Their ability to find each other for open shots is a big reason why the Warriors are winning.

“From the first day Zach got here, we have been competing against each other,” Stinelli said. “We have been dogging each other every day to get better.”

Rocco is averaging almost 10 assists.

“Zach and Kevin have really come along nicely and bought into what we want to do and how we want to play,” said fourth-year Warriors coach Jim Rocco, Zach’s father who coached 19 years at Penn Hills and won two WPIAL titles and a PIAA championship there. “They are one of the best combos I have coached. I put them up there with Nick Ionadi and Drew Schifino (at Penn Hills).

“They have each other’s back. They are supporting how important it is to value the ball.”

The backcourt combo will likely need a big game Friday night when No. 1 Latrobe visits Penn-Trafford.

Latrobe (8-2, 1-0) is averaging 70.6 points, Penn-Trafford 66.7.

Old foes meet again

The Hempfield and Penn-Trafford girls no longer are opponents in Class 6A because Penn-Trafford moved to Class 5A, but the teams will get reacquainted Saturday afternoon. Tip will be 12:30 p.m. at Penn-Trafford.

Next Wednesday, Penn-Trafford will play at rival Norwin, which also still plays in Class 6A.

Jamfest

Penn Hills will host the Hoops for a Cure “Jamfest” on Saturday. There will be five games, starting at 1:30 p.m. with Ambridge vs. Penn Hills girls, followed by four boys games: Serra Catholic vs. Highlands (3 p.m.); Central Catholic vs. McKeesport (4:30); Jeannette vs. Penn Hills (6); and Erie McDowell vs. Mt. Lebanon (7:30).

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Hempfield, Jeannette, Penn-Trafford