Keebler, Commodores shooting for section title
Ed Keebler, head coach of the Frazier boys basketball team.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Vinny Muccioli is pressured by teammate Brad Poling during a scrimmage game at Commodores practice.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Head coach Ed Keebler discusses game strategy with the Commodores boys basketball team during practice at Frazier High School.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Teammates watch while Josh Novak shoots the ball during a practice session of the Frazier boys basketball team.
Frazier’s (from left) Justin Cox, Alec Bergman and Wyatt Perry run sprints at practice.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s J.D. Celaschi goes to the basket during a Commodores practice session. Celaschi will start at point guard for Frazier this season.
Ed Keebler admitted he has some holes to fill in his lineup, but the veteran Frazier boys head basketball coach expects his roster to fill the gaps and make a run at the Section 2-AA title.
The Commodores slipped into the Class AA playoffs last year, tying for fourth place in Section 4-AA with Beth-Center at 5-7. Frazier finished 10-11 overall.
Frazier remained in Class AA after the revamping of the sections due to the realignment to six classifications, but was moved into Section 2-AA with familiar foes Carmichaels and Bentworth.
Gone are Brownsville (section champs), Charleroi, Waynesburg Central and Beth-Center, replaced by Bentworth, California, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry and Jefferson-Morgan.
“Fort Cherry has a new coach and picked up a guy from South Fayette. Chartiers-Houston has A.J. Myers, he’s phenomenal. California’s Kass Taylor, he’s one of the best players in the area. He’s a basketball player,” said Keebler, who enters his ninth year as head coach. “My goal is to put a number on the wall and win the section. We don’t want to barely make (the playoffs).
“We played a lot of games this summer. We’ll see what happens.”
The Commodores’ season came to an abrupt end early in the playoffs with an 86-39 preliminary round loss to Seton-La Salle.
Keebler needs to fill gaps left by the graduation of Caleb Cox and Mark Dillon. Additionally, he’s not sure of Damon Lovis’ status.
“Damon Lovis is dinged up from football and we’re not sure (of his status). It’s not looking good,” said Keebler.
Keebler does have a handle on who he has on the floor, starting with Josh Cox.
“Josh is 6-2, 170, and will play either forward or guard. He’s one of our bigger kids and athletic enough to play anywhere,” said Keebler. “Senior Chris Massey (6-2, 170) will play forward. Brandon Lovis (a 5-9, 160-pound junior) is the 2 guard. Sophomore Justin Novak (6-3, 180) will play center.
“J.D. Celaschi (5-10, 160) is the point guard. He’s not a true point guard, but he’s fast and quick and makes good decisions. He’ll take the ball to the hole strong.”
Also expected in the starting mix is Brad Poling (6-0, 170), nephew of girls coach Ken Poling, in the 3 guard slot.
Keebler said his squad does not have much depth, expecting to run a 7- or 8-man rotation.
“We can get the ball up the floor. We just have problems keeping people from scoring. We’ve been working on our defense to keep them from scoring,” said Keebler. “We will switch defenses on the fly, mix it up, and try to catch teams off guard. We have to work hard.”
The Commodores have an aggressive non-section schedule, including the opening Derry Tournament and games with Albert Gallatin and Clairton.
“We’re lucky teams keep playing us,” said Keebler.