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Tuesday, January 18, 2022 | 00:30
In 1987, Penn Hills won its first WPIAL men’s basketball championship with a 64-44 win over Central Catholic.
Thirty-five years and three more district crowns later, the Indians are starting to look like a team that might be looking for a thumbs-up.
In his second year as head coach, Chris Giles tied Penn Hills for first in the 3-5A Division with a 10-1 overall record.
“I think the way this group of kids came together, considering it’s a practically new line-up, this group of young men come in every day wanting to compete,” Giles said.
Penn Hills’ rough schedule last week began Tuesday with a visit to Gateway’s No. 1 spot. The Indians were impressive in winning a 66-56 victory.
“The way things have gone the last two years, it was the first game our guys were able to play in such an energetic atmosphere,” Giles said. “I thought our guys came out and played hard, stuck together and stayed on the tracks. Basketball is a racing game and our team has remained united. They trusted their fundamentals, they trusted the system, and they trusted the process. »
The Indians’ belief in the fundamentals paid off on Friday when they hosted Kiski Area. Penn Hills beefed up the defense and held the Cavaliers to just 12 points in the first half in a 52-42 win.
“Kiski is a good team. They are well trained. They gave the teams a hard time with their 2-3 zone,” Giles said. “So for us it was about executing and figuring out what we were trying to do to combat their length and their physique and their aggression.”
In both wins last week, the Indians were led by 6-foot-4 junior guard Daemar Kelly. Kelly averaged 17 points per game this season but scored a total of 40 points to lift the Indians to 4-1 in section play.
“Daemar is one of the best players in the region,” Giles said. “He’s really started to come into his own so far in his junior season. Daemar has done a tremendous amount of work over the past two offseasons with me, working on his game and developing his fundamentals. It’s nice to see for the kid that he trusted me as a coach and believed what I was saying, and it’s paying off on the basketball court.
“The part that people miss is that Daemar is a very good passer. He had nine assists against Gateway and five against Kiski. He not only marks the ball but also a good passer and defender. He also averaging two blocks per game and four interceptions. Daemar’s leadership isn’t just about scoring, he’s proving he’s a complete player. He’s one of the best guards in Western Pennsylvania.
As impressive as Kelly’s resume is this season, the Indians are far from a one-trick pony.
“It’s not just Daemar Kelly’s show,” Giles said. “Jaden Dugger is averaging a double-double with 10.4 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. Noah Barren is averaging 10 points per game and 4.5 assists per game and is tough as nails defensively. George Mitchell and Tim Bottoms have both shot the ball very well throughout the season.
“Our sophomores, Julian Dugger and Robbie Thomas, are stepping into key roles, both scoring multiple double-digit games. It is truly a tribute to the whole team for our current success. These kids have bought in, aren’t selfish, and play for each other.
Penn Hills is even in the loss column with Woodland Hills and Gateway in the section. The Indians will visit the Wolverines on Tuesday before a tough challenge on Friday when they take on one of 6A’s top teams, Central Catholic, in a no-section contest.
“As with every game, we’re watching it one game at a time,” Giles said. “We don’t neglect any team. Our program is filled with very good teams and very good coaches. In the coming weeks, this difficult schedule will continue. We have to stay locked in and take it one game at a time, improving every day.
Trib HSSN Men’s Basketball Teams of the Week 2022
Week 3 – Carlynton Cougars
Week 2 – North Hill Indians
Week 1 – The Cornell Adventurers
Tags: Penn Hills
