Dec 17, 2023 By John Sacco 3 min read

The challenge put forth to the Monessen boys basketball team by its coach Dan Bosnic is clear and simple.

If the members of the team want a highly-successful season, Bosnic asks: “How much are you willing to sacrifice to make that happen.”

“It can’t just be winning the section,” said Bosnic. “The goal must be to win playoff games and advance deep.”

Monessen is the favorite in Section 2-A. The Greyhounds will compete against California, Geibel Catholic Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene.

The Greyhounds defeated Western Beaver in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs, then lost to Carlynton and were eliminated in a PIAA play-in game by Aquinas Academy.

Monessen finished with a 23-4 overall mark last season and went 9-1 in section play.

The Greyhounds’ starting lineup is likely to change as injured players return to action.

Through the early weeks of the season Monessen’s five will include senior Lorenzo Gardner (6-4), who surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone near the end of last season, juniors Timmy Kershaw (6-0) and Davonte Robinson (5-10), and seniors Darryl Ray (6-3) and Matt Sawa (6-0).

Other members of the team are sophomores Ty Vaughn (5-8), Tayvin Craggett (6-2), and Rodney Johnson (6-0), freshman Dennis Hawkins (6-2), and junior Tory Williams (5-10).

Clearly, Gardner is Monessen’s offensive force. He is a strong driver to the basket, which presents him with several free throw opportunities.

The Greyhounds’ team speed should also be as good as any of Bosnic’s Greyhounds’ teams.

“We will utilize our speed and we hope to do that in the most productive way possible,” Bosnic said. “We will be looking for most of our points in transition. We don’t want to get into too much half-court. We’re definitely looking to score in transition.

“We, as a team, have to decide what we’re willing to do to reach our potential.”

Monessen has won 42 of 51 games over the past two seasons for an .824 winning percentage.

The Greyhounds have a challenging non-section schedule with games against Brashear, Charleroi (twice), Yough (twice), Greensburg Salem, Carmichaels, Aquinas Academy, Winchester Thurston, East Allegheny, Beth-Center and Washington.

“We’re challenging ourselves with the non-section schedule,” Bosnic said. “We must be ready to play higher-level competition when the postseason starts.

“Playing teams like Brashear, Charleroi, Yough, Aquinas Academy, Winchester Thurston and Washington presents good challenges for us.”

Bosnic said he wants to see his players improve from last year, and be willing to find their teammates when they are open and to get them the ball in a position where they can score.

“It’s about making the right pass and taking care of the ball,” Bosnic said. “We must be willing to do the extra things and to help everyone on the team have a chance to succeed and contribute.

“I expect that type of effort from them and for them to be better and to find their teammates when that opportunity presents itself.”

Bosnic is assisted by Vince Campbell