After 4-1 start, Fox Chapel boys take advantage of break in section play

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Getting a 10-day break from Section 2-5A play is something that Fox Chapel coach Zach Skrinjar values. While he is still worried about the Foxes’ two nonsection opponents, Skrinjar enjoys having an opportunity to look at the tape and see where Fox Chapel stands.

“It’s a nice mental break not to have to worry about playing on Friday,” Skrinjar said. “Everyone wants to play, but it’s a good chance to reset and evaluate what’s going well and what’s gone wrong. We take the opportunity to self-evaluate and self-scout. We worry more about taking care of us.”

Right now, Fox Chapel is in a decent spot in the section. The Foxes are 9-7 overall and 4-1 in section. That has the Foxes tied for first place with Shaler, but Fox Chapel lost 39-27 to the Titans last week.

The Foxes opened up section play with four straight wins, including a 61-52 victory over defending section and WPIAL champions Penn Hills.

With a break to study, Skrinjar said he has an idea of what he will see on tape.

“I think we can do a better job of valuing the basketball during offensive possessions,” Skrinjar said. “There are too many games where we go gaps without scoring and have too many self-inflicting wounds. We need to value the basketball. If we clean up the offense, we will be able to reach our visions.”

The Foxes have been focused on playing strong defense all season. Fox Chapel is second in the section in points allowed, giving up 48 points per game.

“It’s always a grind,” Skrinjar said. “It’s very nice to be 4-1. Obviously, that’s positive. It is nice to get four wins out of the box. We’ve had a tough schedule and played good competition.”

Fox Chapel has had to work through having Jefferson Moorefield-Brown miss a few games with a shoulder injury. Caiden Kaiser also was forced out for several games due to an injury.

Skrinjar said he is happy with how Fox Chapel has stepped up while players have come in and out of the lineup. Will Siegel and Asher White have led the team in scoring.

“We have a daily thing in practice where we talk about preparation,” Skrinjar said. “We talk about a time for you to step up. There’s going to be a time to step up. We are always preparing and embracing the competition in practice.”

Tags: Fox Chapel