Thomas Jefferson battles through tough season

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, February 10, 2018 | 12:27 AM

Thomas Jefferson is sitting out the WPIAL playoffs this season.

It's uncharted territory for the TJ boys basketball team.

Heading into the campaign, Thomas Jefferson had advanced to the playoffs in nine of the past 10 seasons.

But it's been a tough winter for the Jaguars, who won two of their first 11 section games and three of 20 overall.

Entering the final week of the regular season, Thomas Jefferson had lost 14 of its last 15 contests.

“It has been a very tough year,” veteran TJ coach Dom DeCicco said. “A lot of things have contributed to it, but the bottom line is we shot at an average of 27 percent. It's hard to win games when you can't shoot it.”

The Jaguars' lineup consists of 6-foot-2 senior guard/forward Garret Fairman, 6-4 senior forward Noah Palmer, freshman point guard Jake Pugh, sophomore guard/forward James Martinis and sophomore guard Isaac McNeil.

“The young guys are really coming on,” DeCicco said. “Jake Pugh is a freshman who is starting at point guard. McNeil and Martinis are both sophomore starters who are getting better every game.”

Top reserves on this year's team include junior guard John Adams, who started several times, senior center Spencer Everley, sophomore guards Dan Deabner and Noah Pierce, sophomore forward Shane Stump and Ethan Dunsey, a freshman frontcourt player.

“Deabner and Stump, as well as Adams, have played a ton of minutes,” DeCicco said. “Pierce and Dunsey have also played meaningful varsity minutes.”

TJ was scheduled to end its frustrating season Feb. 9 on the road against rival West Mifflin.

“The most pleasant surprise is how hard the kids are still competing,” DeCicco said before the game. “It's not easy when you are struggling to be able to play hard, but they do. Senior (point guard) James McKay is an example of a young man that will be in winner in life. He lost his starting job, but instead of pouting he works harder than anyone in practice and helps the freshman that has his job. He is a special kid, as is Garret Fairman. Losing kills that kid, but he scratches and claws every day. It's been my privilege to coach those types of players.

“As a coach and a person, it's easy when things are going good. But how you handle it when things go bad defines you.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

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