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Sharpsville Blue Devils
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jim Smiley (4th season at Sharpsville, 32nd year overall, 46-27 at Sharpsville)
2011-12 overall record: 14-9
2011-12 region record (place): 7-3 (second)
2011-12 playoff results: Lost to Saegertown 48-33 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Paul Klenke, Kevin Yarabinec
Top returning players: Tyler Luchey, Taylor Lenzi, Jake Bulick, Sage Barringer, Greg Popatak
Assistant coaches: Gus Grandy, Zach Sarver, Kevin Washington, Rick Elia, Andrew Kimpan, Kyle Sobash, Bill Henwood
Outlook: Sharpsville made it to the playoffs last year but it might be a tougher task this winter. The Blue Devils are in a region loaded with experienced teams, including newcomer West Middlesex. Sharpsville graduated two all-region selections in Paul Klenke and Kevin Yarabinec. The Blue Devils have an experienced group back, led by all-region second-team selection Tyler Luchey. He is one of three returning seniors, including Taylor Lenzi and Jake Bluick. Luchey is the only guaranteed starter, while Lenzi and Bulick will battle for playing time. Junior Sage Barringer returns along with sophomore Greg Popatak. Popatak could be a big contributor this season but he will miss some time because of a football injury. Jalen Mockabee and Jake Smith could earn playing time along with Saulie Santell, Tanner Morris, Kyle Kenendy, Tommy Lipo and Noah Washington. Barringer along with sophomore Dayne Smith and Jake Smith are all in the 6-5, 6-6 range and could provide size and skill for the Blue Devils. Sharpsville has experience, size and skill but the Blue Devils will face several challenges in Region 2. Sharpsville will need to build chemistry and develop some strong guard play to return to the postseason.

Schedule
December
7-8 Ellwood City tournament
11 at Grove City 7:30
14 at Jamestown 7:30
18 VisionQuest 7:30
21 at West Middlesex* 7:30
January
3 Wilmington* 7:30
5 at Mercer* 7:30
7 Conneaut 7:30
11 at Reynolds* 7:30
12 Fort LeBoeuf 2:30
15 at Lakeview* 7:30
18 at Greenville* 7:30
22 West Middlesex* 7:30
25 at Commodore Perry 7:30
29 at Wilmington* 7:30
February
1 Mercer* 7:30
5 Cambridge Springs 7:30
8 Reynolds* 7:30
9 at Kennedy Catholic 2:30
12 Lakeview* 7:30
15 Greenville* 7:30
*Region 2 games

Girls
Coach (season, record): Jeff Hanley (12th season, 168-104)
2011-12 overall record: 16-7
2011-12 region record (place): 10-2 (second)
2011-12 playoff results: Lost to Seneca 51-46 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.
Top player lost: Katelyn Scurpa
Top returning players: McKenzie Popatak, Paige Scurpa, Natalie Henwood, Megan Davis
Assistant coaches: Matt Blaschak, Steve O’Rourke, Jayne Kornbau
Outlook: Sharpsville ran into a tough Seneca team in the playoffs last winter but the Blue Devils have plenty of experience back. Sharpsville will need to replace Katelyn Scurpa, who averaged 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2 assists per game last year to be voted to the all-region first team. Everyone else is back for a quick Sharpsville teams with lots of leadership. McKenzie Popatak averaged 20.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last year to be voted to the all-region first team and the Region 2 co-Player of the Year. She has emerged as one of the top players in Mercer County in her career and is already over 1,000 points. Add in returning starters Natalie Henwood, Paige Scurpa and Megan Davis and the Blue Devils have an experienced group. Paige Scurpa pulled down 6 rebounds per game last year, while Davis had 7.2 ppg. Sharpsville could also receive contributions from sophomores Maddie Przicina and Kayla Kurelko along with Eugena Davis, Emily Anderson and Megan Whalen. Sharpsville has quickness, depth, senior leadership and versatility but rebounding could be an issue and filling a hole left by Katelyn Scurpa. The Blue Devils have a strong non-region schedule and will have to adjust to zone defenses teams could run to stop Popatak. Sharpsville will need to be able to handle pressure defenses and if the Blue Devils develop stronger guard play, they could make another run at the playoffs.

Schedule
December
10 Cranberry 7:30
13 at Grove City 7:30
15 Meadville 2:30
17 at Slippery Rock 7:30
19 Kennedy Catholic 7:30
21 West Middlesex* 7:30
27-28 Saegertown tournament
January
4 Greenville* 7:30
10 at Wilmington* 7:30
14 Sharon* 7:30
17 Lakeview* 7:30
19 at Girard 2:30
21 at Mercer* 7:30
24 at West Middlesex* 7:30
26 Jamestown 2:30
28 at Greenville* 7:30
February
4 Wilmington* 7:30
8 at Sharon* 7:30
11 at Lakeview* 7:30
14 Mercer* 7:30
15 at Reynolds 7:30
*Region 2 games

Tuesday: Slippery Rock

–Tom Reisenweber

Sharpsville Blue Devils
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jim Smiley (3rd season at Sharpsville, 29th season overall, 33-18 at Sharpsville, 415-300 overall)
2010-11 overall record: 18-8
2010-11 region record (place): 9-1 (champion)
2010-11 playoff results: Defeated Union City 65-42 and Fairview 41-38 before losing 48-45 to North East in the District 10 Class AA championship. Sharpsville then lost 88-55 to Sto-Rox in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Chad Piccirilli, Jon Wilson, Vince Falconi, Anthony Sloan
Top returning players: Dersean Alberty-Brown, Tyler Luchey, Paul Klenke, Kevin Yarabinec, Jake Henwood
Assistant coaches: Gus Grandy, Andrew Kimpan, Kyle Sobash, Zach Sarver, Rick Elia
Outlook: Sharpsville is a on roll with two-straight region championships and made its way to the District 10 Class AA championship last winter. The Blue Devils were knocked off by North East but coach Jim Smiley expects them to compete for the D-10 title once again. Sharpsville will need to fill in some gaps as Chad Piccirilli, Jon Wilson, Vince Falconi and Anthony Sloan graduated. Piccirilli was a two-time all-region pick, while Wilson was the Region 2 Player of the Year last season. The Blue Devils return an experienced group led by Dersean Alberty-Brown, Tyler Luchey, Kevin Yarabinec, Jake Henwood and Paul Klenke. The question will be how quickly can the returners get into basketball sharp as the Blue Devils’ football season is still going. Sharpsville might need to rely on its newcomers early in the season. Sage Barringer, Marcus Yensick, Nick Sequenza, Greg Popatak and Jake Smith can be contributors on the varsity level, while senior Luke Vasconi could be a starter this year. Sharpsville’s program is strong and is primed to reload instead of rebuild this winter.

Schedule
December
9-10 Ellwood City tournament
13 Laurel 7:30
16 Kennedy Catholic 7:30
20 at West Middlesex 7:30
January
3 VisionQuest 7:30
6 Rocky Grove 7:30
7 Fairview 2:30
10 at Commodore Perry 7:30
13 at Mercer* 7:30
17 at Lakeview* 7:30
20 Greenville* 7:30
21 at Maplewood 2:30
24 at Reynolds* 7:30
27 at Wilmington* 7:30
31 at Linesville 7:30
February
3 Mercer* 7:30
4 Seneca 2:30
7 Lakeview* 7:30
10 at Greenville* 7:30
14 Reynolds* 7:30
17 Wilmington* 7:30

Girls
Coach (season, record): Jeff Hanley (11th season, 152-97)
2010-11 overall record: 19-6
2010-11 region record (place): 10-2 (second)
2010-11 playoff results: Defeated Seneca 44-38 and lost to Villa Maria 54-34 and Girard 42-15 in the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top player lost: Jenna Grandy
Top returning players: McKenzie Popatak, Natalie Henwood, Katelyn Scurpa, Kristen Scurpa, Megan Davis, Paige Scurpa
Assistant coaches: Steve O’Rourke, Matt Blaschak, Ellen Kellar
Outlook: Sharpsville had a terrific season last winter, including a run in the District 10 Class AA playoffs. The Blue Darlings were young but still had plenty of success. With only Jenna Grandy, who is playing at Westminter, graduating, Sharpsville could be tough to beat again this winter. McKenzie Popatak has emerged as a multi-sport standout, while Natalie Henwood, Kately Scurpa, Kristen Scurpa, Megan Davis and Paige Scurpa are back as well. Popatak averaged 15.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game last year and will likely break 1,000 points this winter as a junior. The Blue Darlings will look for some depth as Tatum Kress, Madison Przicina, Emily Anderson and Kayla Kurelko could be varsity contributors this season. Sharpsville relies on a solid defense but will need someone to step up and fill in for Grandy. Grandy was a tenacious scorer and leader for the Blue Darlings. Sharpsville should contend for the Region 2 title once again and could be a tough out in the D-10 playoffs.

Schedule
December
9 Maplewood 7:30
12 at Greenville* 7:30
15 at Reynolds* 7:30
17 at Seneca 2:30
19 at Kennedy Catholic 7:30
23 Wilmington* 7:30
January
3 at Shenango 7:30
5 Sharon* 7:30
9 at Lakeview* 7:30
12 Mercer* 7:30
14 Girard 2:30
17 Slippery Rock 7:30
19 at West Middlesex 7:30
23 Reynolds* 7:30
26 Jamestown 7:30
28 Greenville* 7:30
30 Linesville 7:30
February
2 East 7:30
6 at Wilmington* 7:30
9 at Sharon* 7:30
13 Lakeview* 7:30
16 at Mercer* 7:30

Later today: Slippery Rock

– Tom Reisenweber