Latrobe returns to up-tempo roots to get off to solid start

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, December 19, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Latrobe basketball players have been channeling teams of the past, maybe moreover, a style of the past, during their fast start to the season.

It’s been like the Wildcats circa 2015-18 at times, with rapid-moving play and quick-triggered possessions pushing scores into the 70s and filling the refurbished “Den” with fast breaks.

Fans enjoy it. Opponents dislike it. Maybe the Wildcats simply expect it.

“I don’t know about that,” longtime coach Brad Wetzel said. “I think when we play hard, we create opportunities. If we ever get into a groove and play like that for four quarters, we can be at our best.”

Latrobe started 5-0 for the first time since 2018-19 before taking its first loss Tuesday at home against No. 1-ranked Uniontown, 81-53, in Section 1-5A play.

While that game was a big thud, it didn’t take away from what the Wildcats (5-1, 1-1 Section 1-5A) had already done.

Wetzel called it an anomaly.

“You hope we learned a lesson from it,” the coach said. “The question is what is it and what will we do with it.”

The team captains are aware of the Wildcat teams of the past and want to make them proud. They are also aware of those teams’ orange-and-white pinstriped pants, which became a tradition.

Fans might notice the team has not worn them this season.

“It was the players,” Wetzel said. “They said, ‘If you’re going to wear pants like that, you’d better back it up.’ They don’t feel we’ve earned the right to wear them yet. The goal is to wear them. That will show how far we’ve come.”

Latrobe put up 83 and 75 points in a comeback wins against Mars and Gateway and had 72 and 71 in victories against Hempfield and Richland.

It’s not just scoring that pleases the Wildcats, it’s the wins.

Latrobe has missed the WPIAL playoffs three straight years — four of the last five — and has not won a playoff game since 2017-18.

From 2012-18, the Wildcats made the playoffs seven straight times and routinely averaged over 70 points.

“I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet,” Wetzel said.

Through the recent runs of success, a Butler has been involved: Austin, Bryce, Landon and now, Max.

Max Butler is a senior guard and the team’s leading scorer. He scored 20 in the 75-71 win over Gateway that saw Latrobe rally from 10 down in the fourth.

Does Butler like the up-tempo style?

“Yes, I do,” said Butler, who you might find in the post on occasion this season. “That’s how we play every day at practice. It’s full intensity. It’s way more fun to play this way.”

Senior point guard John Wetzel has been a leader in the backcourt, distributing the ball more than scoring it at times this season, while senior Kyle McNeil, junior Ian DeCerb and junior Andy Tatsch are a mostly experienced group joining Butler in the starting five.

McNeil, DeCerb and Tatsch have been active around the rim not only as finishers on dribble-drives, but also as rebounders and defenders.

Coach Wetzel wanted his team to handle adversity better this season after a late-season slide last year saw the Wildcats drop their last five games and finish 3-7 in section.

Injuries played a key role in the unfolding.

“We have had a lot of guys step in and play well for us,” Brad Wetzel said. “That is what it takes.

“We’re in a much better place.”

Sophomore Don Scarton, senior Brady Prohovic and junior Sawyer Butina have been among the top players off the bench.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe