New Franklin Regional boys basketball coach wants to rewrite script

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 23, 2017 | 5:57 PM

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When new Franklin Regional boys basketball coach Steve Scorpion was a player for the Panthers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he enjoyed great individual success. It was the shortcomings of his teams, however, that still stand out to him.

In each of his final three seasons as a player, Scorpion and the Panthers failed to win their section finale and missed the playoffs by a single game each time. Now he's back at the helm of the program and determined to have more success as a coach than he did as a player.

“That's a terrible feeling to never make the playoffs, and I don't want these kids to ever have to go through what myself and my friends and my classmates went through,” Scorpion said.

Scorpion took over for Brad Midgley, who had a successful tenure and guided the Panthers to a 14-12 record last season. Franklin Regional made the WPIAL Class 5A postseason and defeated Trinity before falling to eventual champion Moon in the quarterfinals. The Panthers also qualified for the PIAA playoffs and gained a measure of revenge by upsetting the Tigers, 52-51, in the first round.

Although five players from that team graduated, the majority of the contributors are back for the Panthers. As a result, Scorpion isn't looking to make sweeping changes to the program.

“Brad did a great job getting these kids to learn how to play the right way,” he said. “I try to build off of what he's done and just try to implement some little things here and there.

“One of the things is just really getting them to believe that we're going to win and we're going to be successful, because half the battle I think is getting these kids to truly believe that they can win a section championship and a WPIAL championship.”

The Panthers return six seniors, including two players who were among the best in the section last season. Nate Leopold, a guard, averaged 14.0 points in 2016-17 and was named a first-team all-section performer. Additionally, forward Hunter Stonecheck was a second-team honoree.

“I'm looking for Hunter and Nate to really have good years and carry us,” Scorpion said.

Fellow senior Aidan Sadoski, a 6-foot-6 interior presence, is another player Scorpion believes could be vital, both as a scorer and a rebounder.

The other seniors — Aidan Fisch, Jake Rosenburg and Mike Bartolacci — lack varsity experience but impressed during offseason workouts.

Meanwhile, the junior class is led by Nick Leopold, Aidan Wiley and Jake Williams. Leopold has proven to be a smart player and skilled ball-handler, and Wiley has displayed good strength with the ball.

“None of them are superstars, but they're all really good players,” Scorpion said of the juniors.

A pair of talented sophomores could also earn significant playing time. Johnny O'Toole, a 6-6 interior presence, and Logan Summerhill, an athletic player who stands 6-4, could take on an array of responsibilities.

“I'm looking for those young guys just to play their role and fill in for whatever we need,” Scorpion stated. “Some games, we're going to need them to step up and score. Other games, we're going to need them to defend and rebound and do the little things.”

With a diverse set of players, Scorpion said the Panthers can play multiple styles of basketball, including an up-tempo attack, as well as a methodical, half-court approach. Primarily, though, he wants his team to push the pace and make plays in transition.

Last season, the Panthers finished 6-4, which tied for second with Highlands. Gateway claimed the Class 5A Section 3 crown, and Kiski Area and Armstrong also qualified for the playoffs. Greensburg Salem, which went winless, was the only team to miss the postseason from the section.

“Gateway is going to be a very, very good team this year,” Scorpion said. “There's not any easy game (in the section). Every single game, we're going to have to come ready to play.”

Although in his first year with the Panthers, Scorpion knows the section coaches well. He was an assistant under Daryn Freedman, who now guides Gateway, and played against Kiski Area's Joey Touchstone and Armstrong's Greg Hutcherson during their high-school careers.

While the Panthers' long-term goals are to win the section and the district, the short-term objectives are being the toughest team on the court and competing every second, both in practice and in games.

“If you work hard and you play hard, good things are going to happen,” he said.

Franklin Regional opens its slate with a home game against Perry on Dec. 18, before hosting Highlands in the section opener Dec. 22.

Sean Meyers is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional