After early setbacks, Plum boys look to right the ship in Section 2-5A

By: Michael Love
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

The Plum boys basketball team entered the new year with the momentum of a three-game winning streak.

The team averaged nearly 70 points in victories over Freeport, Brentwood and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

That momentum took somewhat of a hit in subsequent Section 2-5A losses to Shaler, Fox Chapel, Woodland Hills and Penn Hills.

But Mustangs coach Justin Walther said he saw good things in the competitiveness of his players in all four games. They are things he hopes will bring them good fortune over the remaining section games and get them back into the playoff mix.

“We always talk about putting a full game together,” Walther said.

“That is a part that can be troublesome, but also, it is something that I am anxious to see. I feel we are a good basketball team, and teams in the section know we are right there.”

Plum was 5-8 overall and 0-4 in the section after a 72-46 loss at Penn Hills on Jan. 12.

The Mustangs were off for a week before returning to action with nonsection games at Norwin last Friday and against Northgate at Allderdice on Saturday.

Plum also was to close out the first half of section play Wednesday at home against an Armstrong team also looking to find its way into the playoff conversation.

Walther said the team was right there with Woodland Hills for much of the second half before the Wolverines made plays down the stretch for a 57-45 victory Jan. 9.

“We were tied with Woodland Hills with three minutes to go in the third quarter,” he said.

“With Penn Hills, we were down three with two minutes to go in the third quarter. We just have to find a way to get over the hump.”

Junior 6-foot-4 forward Max Grice led the way against Penn Hills with 18 points and five rebounds, while 6-4 sophomore forward Owen Proskin added 10 points and six rebounds. The Mustangs hit just 4 of 20 3-point attempts and were 12 of 22 from the foul line.

Plum had high hopes in the start of the new year against Shaler, hoping to upset the once-beaten and section-leading Titans, But the hosts protected home court with a 71-55 win Jan. 3.

“The Shaler game, we were right there at halftime,” Walther said.

“We shot horribly from the foul line and had 13 turnovers. Half the turnovers were our own undoing, and we were still within striking distance.”

Walther said he could see his team was frustrated after the 56-35 setback to Fox Chapel on Jan. 5.

“We got out to an 8-2 lead, missed a bunny (shot), stopped them, forced a shot on our end, stopped them again, missed an open three, and then stopped them again,” Walther said.

“We had opportunities to punch the lead to about a dozen, but we just weren’t able to do it. Then Fox Chapel got a couple buckets and closed the gap. It looked like we were deflated. It took the wind out of our sails.

“But we were still right there into the fourth quarter. It was still a close game, but then they got us and were able to pull away.”

Through all of the ups and downs, Walther said he has seen improvement from the start of the season.

“The culture is starting to change. I know that,” he said.

“The players are very engaged. I knew we were going to put forth a great effort against Penn Hills because of the way they were focused in practice. These guys are not satisfied with losing. If we start winning a game or two in the section, and before time runs out, we can do what we need to do to get into the playoffs, I think we would be a tough out.

“The guys weren’t happy with their performances in recent games, but they know they can compete with anyone.”

Through 13 games, Grice led the team in scoring at 13.9 points a game and in rebounding at 7.3 a contest.

Junior guard Will Beckner and Proskin have produced double-digit points at an average of 12.2 and 11.3, respectively.

Proskin also has recorded 5.1 rebounds a game, and Beckner fronts the team from the foul line at 75%.

“This section, seeing a lot from me playing and then coaching these last 10 years, is probably the best one that I’ve been a part of,” said Walther, who picked up his 100th head coaching victory in Plum’s 66-57 win over Brentwood at the Plum tournament on Dec. 28.

“It is probably the best, top to bottom, in the entire WPIAL. It’s a grind night in and night out. At points, teams in the section might have looked at Plum and marked a ‘W’. Now, they know that is not that easy anymore.”

Seniors Sean Franzi, Jack Anderson and Brendan Getlak were to be celebrated on senior night against Armstrong.

“Sean, Jack and BG have brought leadership to our team,” Walther said. “Sean is our floor general. He’s like the quarterback of the team just as he was for football. It’s fun to watch him as he works to get the guys in their spots and keeps things going. Jack has brought toughness to our team this year. This is the first time he’s played since ninth grade. BG is the consummate teammate. He knows everything we’re trying to do, so when we put him in a game, we are comfortable with giving him whatever assignment.

”It’s been fun to coach them. It seems like it goes by too fast. Hopefully, we have as many more games as possible with them.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Plum