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Nason McCall

Nason McCall has emerged as one of several clutch players for a dangerous Girard boys basketball team this season.

The 6-foot 2-inch, guard/forward produced one of the biggest moments of the season against rival General McLane.

With the score tied at 43-43, McLane was looking to run the clock down for the final shot. McCall thwarted that strategy with a steal and layup to give the YellowJackets a 45-43 lead with 12.2 seconds left.

Girard went on to win 47-46 and win a share of the Region 6 championship. The ‘Jackets are in the District 10 Class AAA semifinals next week and look like the team to beat in Class AAA.

Girard YellowJackets
Boys
Coach (season, record): Darrin Mayes (14th season, 220-114)
2011-12 overall record: 16-10
2011-12 region record (place): 7-7 (tied for fourth)
2011-12 playoff results: Defeated Meadville 44-37 in a District 10 Class AAA play-in game and Grove City 33-32 in the quarterfinals. Girard then lost to Warren 42-26 in the semifinals and Hickory 37-26 in the third-place game.
Top players lost: Carl Lewis, Garrett Brown, Blake Byham
Top returning players: Joe Swanson, Kendall Bonnett, Alex Cruz, A.J. Dibble, Troy Dreistadt, Joey Dunn, Brian McNally, Buster Johnston, Jeff Little
Assistant coaches: Steve Huefner, Chad Smith, Rob Beam, Chris Fenner, Bob Otis
Outlook: Girard was a bit of a surprise team last winter. Not only did the YellowJackets make their way into the playoffs, they knocked off Grove City in the District 10 Class AAA quarterfinals. Girard lost three two-year starters to graduation in Carl Lewis, Garrett Brown and Blake Byham. The three were big-time contributors and coach Darrin Mayes will need to replace them right away. Joe Swanson and Kendall Bonnett return to the starting lineup, while Alex Cruz, A.J. Dibble, Troy Dreistadt, Joey Dunn, Brian McNally, Buster Johnston and Jeff Little are back as well. Younger players Nason McCall, Jared Orr, Ben Koerber and Codi Dinger could also contribute. The ‘Jackets have a strong tradition and always play defense but they will need to develop a more potent offense to make a run at the D-10 championship. Girard nearly pulled off a deep playoff run with its strong defense but didn’t have enough to knock off Warren in the semifinals. Girard has some experience back but the strength and chemistry of its new players could determine if the ‘Jackets return to the postseason.

Schedule
December
7-8 Jamestown tournament
12 at Cambridge Springs 7:30
15 Central Tech 7:30
22 Conneaut 7:30
27-28 Iroquois tournament
January
4 Corry* 7:30
7 at Warren* 7:30
10 Strong Vincent* 7:30
12 at McDowell 2:30
16 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7:30
18 Harbor Creek* 7:30
22 at East* 7:30
25 at General McLane* 7:30
29 at Corry* 7:30
February
1 Warren* 7:30
5 at Strong Vincent* TBA
7 Fort LeBoeuf* 7:30
9 at Harbor Creek* 7:30
12 East* 7:30
15 General McLane* 7:30
*Region 6 games

Girls
Coach (season, record): Larry Seneta (35th season, 713-262)
2011-12 overall record: 21-5
2011-12 region record (place): 12-2 (second)
2011-12 playoff results: Defeated Sharon 50-33 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals and Greenville 31-24 in the semifinals before losing to Villa Maria 57-26 in the D-10 championship. Girard then defeated Steel Valley 46-42 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs before losing to Cranberry 43-33 in the second round.
Top players lost: Erin Allen, Leslee DiFucci
Top returning players: Harlie Bolt, Maria Welch
Assistant coaches: Jeff DiFucci, Bob Ryan, Brian Gimber, Stacie Sampsell, Brittany Younkins
Outlook: Girard made another run to the PIAA playoffs last winter but that is nothing new for the tradition-rich program. The YellowJackets won’t have to deal with Villa Maria this season as the Victors moved up to Class AAA. Girard will be a part of a wide-open Class AA field. The ‘Jackets will have to replace all-region selections Erin Allen and Leslee DiFucci, who graduated in the spring. The two were big-time leaders and clutch shooters for Girard. Harlie Bolt and Maria Welch are back to lead a young Girard team. Bolt is a force inside, while Welch is a terrific scorer. Shannon Allen also returns to the starting lineup to provide experience for the ‘Jackets. MacKenzie Bonnett, Samantha Dunn, Rylie Bolt, Lauren Davenport, Carly Byham and Sara Adamaszek are younger players that could contribute in a big way for Girard. The ‘Jackets are very young this season but their inexperience could be erased by the time the District 10 playoffs roll around. Coach Larry Seneta went over 700 wins last year and could have the team to keep adding to his win total. Girard has talent and the ability to make a run this year and their schedule should prepare the ‘Jackets for the postseason.

Schedule
December
11 at Harbor Creek 7:30
15 at McDowell 2:30
18 Cambridge Springs 7:30
21 at General McLane* 7:30
26-27 Corry tournament
January
3 at Northwestern* 7:30
5 at Kennedy Catholic 2:30
8 North East* 7:30
10 at Iroquois* 7:30
14 Fairview* 7:30
17 at Union City* 7:30
19 Sharpsville 2:30
21 Seneca* 7:30
24 General McLane* 7:30
28 Northwestern* 7:30
31 at North East* 7:30
February
2 at Sharon 7:30
4 Iroquois* 7:30
7 at Fairview* 7:30
11 Union City* 7:30
14 at Seneca* 7:30
*Region 4 games

Monday: Greenville

–Tom Reisenweber

Joe Swanson

Swanson started showing signs of emerging as a top forward his sophomore season. As a junior, Swanson took that step forward in the playoffs.

The 6-foot 3-inch standout scored 18 points in an impressive 44-37 win over Meadville in a District 10 Class AAA play-in game.

He followed that up with six points in a 33-32 win over Grove City, including two free throws with 10.5 seconds left to secure the quarterfinal win.

He figures to be a key player for Girard next season.

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