With 3 starters back from playoff team, Fox Chapel boys aiming high

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, November 17, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Fox Chapel’s Will Siegel believes the Foxes should have lofty goals for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

Last season’s postseason run proved Fox Chapel is capable of accomplishing good things when it is playing good basketball. The Foxes made the PIAA playoffs as the fifth seed out of the WPIAL.

Fox Chapel then put a scare into District 3 champion Exeter before losing 62-57. Exeter went on to play for the state championship.

“Our goal for this season is to win the WPIAL,” Siegel said. “It might seem like a long shot, but with the way we’ve been working, I’m confident we can do it.”

If the Foxes, who finished 15-12 last season, can find that success, it will be earned through the experience of surviving a grueling schedule. Fox Chapel will open the season Dec. 2 against Gateway at the Upper St. Clair Tournament.

The Foxes also play Allderdice, Baldwin, Hempfield, Pine-Richland and Shady Side Academy on the nonconference schedule. Fox Chapel will be in Section 2-5A with Armstrong, Penn Hills, Plum, Shaler and Woodland Hills.

Foxes coach Zach Skrinjar said Fox Chapel has looked to play a competitive nonconference schedule to get in the playoffs.

“It’s worked out,” Skrinjar said. “We’ve had good competition with all these schools on our schedule. We want to try and play the best teams we can so we are prepared for competition in March.”

Siegel is one of three starters returning for Fox Chapel this season. Jefferson Moorefield-Brown and Asher White will also return. Caden Kaiser will see plenty of time.

Fox Chapel will have four sophomores who will play considerable minutes as well.

“We’re pretty athletic,” Skrinjar said. “We’ve probably been one of the most athletic teams we’ve had. I think we are now looking at a wide rotation. That’s the goal of the beginning of the year. How that changes throughout the year is going to be dictated by development and performance.”

What the Foxes plan to hang their hats on is a strong defensive approach. Fox Chapel wants to force its opponents to make mistakes.

“I think this year we will defend really well,” Siegel said. “Our defense is improving every day at practice.”

Skrinjar believes the Foxes’ experience from a long playoff run last season will pay dividends.

“It is obviously the hope,” Skrinjar said. “When you are grinding to make the postseason, you hope that experience will help you when it comes to being late in games and being able to push it over the finish line. Our hope is the younger guys grow up quickly, and they use the experience they gained last year and use it on the court.”

Fox Chapel boys at a glance

Coach: Zach Skrinjar

Last year’s record: 15-12, 5-5 in Section 2-5A

Returning starters: Will Siegel (Sr.,, F), Jefferson Moorefield-Brown (Sr., G), Asher White (Jr., F)

Tags: Fox Chapel