Derry boys looking to make noise like section foe Deer Lakes did last season

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 5:07 PM

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Derry boys basketball coach Tom Esposito isn’t making any brash predictions about the upcoming season, but after watching section opponent Deer Lakes make a stellar run last year, he often thinks, “Why not us?”

Deer Lakes finished as co-champion with Shady Side Academy in Section 3-3A during the 2022-23 season and then got hot in the playoffs.

The Lancers rolled off eight consecutive victories, which included a win over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the WPIAL championship game, before falling in the PIAA finals to Philadelphia West Catholic in Hershey.

Derry didn’t defeat Deer Lakes, but it did defeat Shady Side Academy once and lost to them by three in their other section meeting. So the Trojans were competitive against one of the top teams in the section.

The Trojans qualified for the WPIAL playoffs and had No. 4 Mohawk on the ropes before letting the game slip away in the final minutes. What excites Esposito is the return of three starters — senior point guard Brady Angus, senior guard Nate Papuga and junior guard John Wasnick — and talented freshman center Stanley Rajkovich.

“Nate and Brady are leaders by example,” Esposito said. “They are vocal leaders and expect more from themselves.

“They are very good athletes that bring a lot of skill. Nate has really improved his game over the years with hard work, and I wouldn’t want to go against Brady for 32 minutes. He’s in your face.”

Esposito said Wasnick is a good shooting option, and Rajkovich brings an inside presence.

“Stanley hasn’t played a varsity game, but he’s played against a lot of quality players in AAU,” Esposito said. “He’s very athletic, and he’s only 14. We’ll be able to have good options inside and out.”

Papuga (18.7 points per game), Angus (10.0) and Wasnick (4.9) have combined to play more than 100 games over their high school varsity careers.

Esposito said he likes what he has seen from the squad in the summer and at the Greensburg Central Catholic fall league.

“We had a very good fall,” Esposito said. “I took the team to New Castle and played against some very good teams. I’ve never had this many athletes on the basketball team.”

Competing for the fifth starter spot are sophomore guard Cason Long, senior forward Roman Fridley, sophomore Izaak Lenhart and senior forward Colin Bush.

Sophomores Caden Marsh, Jake Handel and Willie Stockett-Harter also are expected to contribute.

“We have a chance to go eight to 10 deep,” Esposito said. “We’re going to have a lot of intense and competitive practices. Hopefully, that will carry over to the game.

“My goal is to see improvement every day. If I do my homework, hopefully, I put us in a position to win every game. The depth is the key for us.”

Derry will scrimmage Hempfield on Nov. 24 before opening the season against Laurel Highlands at the Yough Tip-Off tournament. They’ll face either Yough or Summit Academy on the second day.

“Hopefully, we’ll be an exciting team to watch. There is no better atmosphere playing in front of ‘Wild Trojan Empire’ at home games. They can make a difference for us.”

Derry boys at a glance

Coach: Tom Esposito

Last year’s record: 11-10 (6-6 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Nate Papuga (Sr., G), Brady Angus (Sr., PG), John Wasnick (Jr. G),

Top newcomers: Stanley Rajkovich (r., C), Cason Long (So., G), Roman Fridley (Sr., F), Colin Bush (Sr., F), Izaak Lenhart (So., G), Caden Marsh (So., F), Willie Stockett-Harter (So., F), Jack Handel (So., F).

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

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