Another special season ahead for BVA?

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
Last season was a special year for the Belle Vernon Area boys basketball program.
The Leopards reached the WPIAL championship game and nearly advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals, losing to Lancaster Catholic in a four-overtime thriller.
While key components from that team have moved on, head coach Joe Salvino thinks another special season could be in the works.
“One of the good things about last season was everyone back this year saw a lot of playing time,” Salvino said. “And they know this system. It’s the only system they’ve known and the majority of players know what needs to be done.”
With the departure of Mitch Pohlot, Jared Hartman, Hunter Ruokonen and Larry Callaway, finding new leaders for this year’s team will be a priority.
“The kids coming back saw what needs to be done from those guys,” Salvino said. “They know the effort that needs to be put in. They learned from those guys and I’ve really seen it in practices and our first scrimmage. Still, while they’re willing to do the things that need to be done, we have to continue getting better.”
Leading the way for the Leopards will be the dynamic Devin Whitlock, who averaged 20 points per game last season as a sophomore.
“The thing about Devin is he’s such a competitor,” Salvino said. “He’s not going to let anyone out-do him. That’s a plus for us because the rest of the team feeds off that and it raises their games up. He helps everyone get better.”
Joining Whitlock as captains will be juniors Daniel Gordon and Tyler Kovatch, along with senior Jake Haney.
“The transition for those guys has been pretty easy,” Salvino said. “We can definitely get better. We can’t be satisfied with what we know and what we have done. The bar we’ve set for ourselves after last season is extremely high. I don’t know what everyone else expects, but these kids should put the pressure upon themselves to be better than last season.”

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