Baldwin puts cap on disappointing season

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, February 10, 2018 | 12:27 AM

Previous Next

Previous Next

Baldwin's boys basketball team hoped to contend for a section title this season.

The Highlanders were WPIAL playoff qualifiers the two previous campaigns, racking up 16-7 and 15-8 records. And the team was loaded with experience.

Senior guards/forwards Mike Goga, Nick Fiumara and Frank Owusu and senior point guard Jake Monroe were returning starters and were joined by Jeremy Jenkins, a senior guard who sat out last year with a torn ACL and MCL but saw action as a sophomore.

The Highlanders began the season brimming with confidence thanks to an abundance of experience as well as no shortage of sharp-shooting athletes.

“We don't have a lot of size, but I will say that I think this is maybe the smartest or most cerebral group of players I've ever coached,” Baldwin coach Joe Urmann said before the start of the season. “They learn fast, and that has a lot to do with our seniors. We have some strong senior leadership this year.”

The Highlanders' supporting cast consisted of a solid group of juniors — guard Christian Barr, guard/forwards Shane Gilbert, Andy Sopata, Johnny Staley, Aaron Exler and Colin Poe.

But the Baldwin hoopsters were sidetracked early when Owusu suffered a shoulder injury. A month or so later, Monroe suffered an ankle injury during the KSA holiday tournament in Orlando.

The Highlanders never had all five seniors healthy at the same time.

“We certainly have faced our fair share of adversity this year, especially from the injury bug,” Urmann said. “But that's no excuse. All teams face adversity of some kind during the season.

“I do feel bad for Jake and Frank. Jake will have ankle surgery, and Frank had shoulder surgery. They battled to get back in the lineup, but it just wasn't possible.”

Additionally, Tekoah Henry, a promising sophomore guard, suffered a knee injury and missed a majority of the season

Late-season wins against Connellsville and Peters Township propelled the Highlanders into playoff contention in Section 3-6A, but ensuing losses to Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon quashed their postseason hopes.

Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair were the playoff qualifiers in the section.

“When you have two starters go down, with one being the point guard, it has a trickle-down effect and everyone's role changes a bit,” Urmann said. “But I credit our other guys for stepping up. They played hard, and they prepared hard in practice despite being out of the playoff picture. We just focused on what we could control and ending the season on a positive note.”

One of those players whose role changed during the season was Barr, who secured a starting berth in the Highlanders' backcourt.

“Christian is so energetic and unselfish. It's contagious,” Urmann said. “He's stepped up in many ways, too. I'm very proud of his development.”

Connor Lavelle, a freshman/guard forward, also was inserted into the starting rotation late in the season. One of Lavelle's strengths is his defensive prowess.

“He's a smart player who just wants to do what he can to help the team,” Urmann said, “and he's one of our best defenders. He has very good instincts on defense.”

Fiumara seals big win on senior rec night

Baldwin celebrated its senior night in style, edging No. 1-ranked Canon-McMillan, 55-52, in the Highlanders' final home game.

Fiumara connected on a 3-pointer late in the game, then coolly sealed the deal with two free throws.

“Hitting the late three and free throws was pretty thrilling for me, but there were just so many big plays everyone made that got us over the hump,” Fiumara said. “It meant so much to go out with a big win like that at our last game ever on our home court, especially winning for the seniors who were hurt the whole season, since they've all done so much for the program.”

The sharp-shooting Fiumara was four of six from 3-point range and finished with 18 points.

“Nick played great on both ends,” Urmann said. “He was clutch. He never backed down … All of our guys really played hard, and they don't get many breaks, if any.”

Urmann continued: “Nick has been a fantastic teammate ever since he stepped into the program. He's a pleasure to coach. I have been on him lately about being more aggressive on offense and taking more shots. He's unselfish to a fault at times, but that's a good problem to have.”

Goga and Gilbert chipped in with 11 and nine points, respectively, for the Highlanders. Gilbert tossed in three 3s.

Baldwin improved to 4-7 in section play and 9-10 overall with the dramatic win.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin