In a recent local newspaper article, the gist of the story was that there is only one WPIAL 6A boys basketball that tops them all – and then there are the rest – and they weren’t referring to the Foxes. Well, don’t tell the Fox Chapel Area team or its fans that they are not an elite program and just considered part of the pack.
Take, for example, the team’s recent back-to-back defensive showdowns against bold rivals Central Catholic and Upper St. Clair. The Foxes defeated Central handily, 54-37, and then Upper St. Clair, 54-53. Four-year veteran JP Dockey, a senior, played a crucial role in those victories, just as he has been doing all season and the years preceding this one. In fact, since he was a freshman, JP has been part of a fabulous foursome that includes Jake DeMotte, Russell Fenton, and Eli Yofan. Together, they have contributed to a 71-15 cumulative record (as of January 24) in their four years with the team.
“JP has been our most consistent player all season,” says coach Zach Skrinjar of his tenacious point guard. “He is generally tasked with guarding the other teams’ top scorer, and he shuts them down. While guarding the Central player, JP personally held him to single-digit points when that player averages more than 20 a game.”
JP responds, “I always love the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player. We take a lot of pride on the defensive end, and every day in practice I work extremely hard to prove to the coaches that I am capable of guarding anyone. I know if I can limit my man’s points, then our team will be successful.”
The Central game was just one of many that highlighted JP’s defensive talents. He is always one of the first players to plunge to the floor to retrieve loose balls or create opportunities to steal the ball. There was a lot of that happening in that game, and JP’s feisty nature on both offense and defense was on full display that night. It’s also one reason why the coaching staff honored him after the game with the team’s new and most prestigious award, the chain.
“Being awarded the chain was a great honor, especially in such a big game,” says JP, who views every game against Central as a revenge matchup ever since they knocked the Foxes out of the playoffs in his sophomore year. “We are all using it (the award) as motivation to be the best player on the court. To date, I would say the Central Catholic or Bishop Canevin game (January 24) has been my best because I was able to highly impact the game with points, defense, assists, and rebounds.”
“JP was able to break down his opponents’ tendencies and used his tenacity and discipline to not fall for things such as head fakes, pump fakes, and hesitations,” says coach Skrinjar. “He also has the ability to keep his composure during an electric rivalry atmosphere, and his play against the Central player was tough. He handled himself very well under the circumstances of a heated matchup.”
The Central game was not an anomaly, and his imprint in each game is not limited to defense. While he may not be a flashy scorer like some of his teammates, JP’s accuracy, and ability to remain focused make him a stats star. As of January 24, he was averaging 10.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.5 steals.
“These numbers do not even include the countless passes he deflects, offensive fouls he induces, and the torment he inflicts with his relentless defensive pressure,” adds assistant coach and team statistician Gabe Skrinjar.
Right now, the team is riding on a 13-game winning streak and is in the making of a three-peat section title. Those consecutive titles would break a school record.
“Although it is amazing to think about having the opportunity to make history, we all are more focused on winning a WPIAL title,” says JP. “As we have just finished our first round of playing all section teams, I think it would be a disappointment for us to not win the section, but we still have to take each game one at a time.”
As the calendar moves closer to the end of the season, JP has an abundant appreciation for the crowds that have attended the games, especially the student section. “They really energize and excite all of us when we are in a loud and intense atmosphere,” JP says. “It was really difficult at times playing with very minimal fans last year, and I am just so happy they are all back.”
JP describes the games as, “not always pretty, but we get the job done.”
There are just a few home games left on the schedule, and the team is urging everyone to continue attending. The games will be held at 7 p.m. on January 28, February 8, and February 14 against Greensburg Salem, Norwin, and Penn Hills, respectively.
