| Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, TRIB-LIVE
The Fox Chapel boys basketball team will be on a mission to return to the WPIAL playoffs after falling short last season.
Coach Zach Skrinjar’s squad, coming off an 11-11 season, will have to replace three starters and also will be facing some new section foes.
“Last year left us with a sense of unfinished business as we missed the playoffs,” Skrinjar said. “The returning group of players has been working toward making sure we aren’t in that situation again. They have shown great dedication through the spring, summer and fall to improve.”
Skrinjar, in his eighth season, must replace leading scorer Mike Zappala, along with Brendan Urso and Tommy Smith. He does have two key starters returning in 6-foot-5 senior Jake Livingston and 6-2 senior Dimitri Spina.
Carson Cohen, a 6-0 junior, also saw considerable action last year along with 6-0 senior Michael Snowball and 5-10 sophomore Ben Kelly.
Top newcomers will be 6-4 senior Jeff Cobbs, 6-1 sophomore Ryan Kerr, 6-0 freshman Sam Brown and 6-1 sophomore Noah Marks.
“This could be the most depth we have had on a varsity team,” Skrinjar said. “Numerous guys can play different positions. We also have the potential to play at different speeds and tempo.
“Injuries are always a concern, but those are things that can’t be controlled. That’s why building depth will be important for us.”
Playing in a new section will be a bit of a wild card this season after the PIAA moved from four classes to six.
“We have always approached each season as a new journey, and we talk about following different roads to get where we want to be. This year, that journey will be both figurative and literal with us joining a new section. We look forward to the new challenges this section will represent,” Skrinjar said.
“The section will be very competitive. Penn Hills, Latrobe and Woodland Hills will all be very strong teams. Plum, Hempfield, Penn-Trafford and Norwin will be good teams, as well. It will be a tough battle for the four playoff spots. We will embrace the significance of being the first Fox Chapel team to be part of the 6A state classification.”