Knoch Basketball Preview

By: Aidan Jones

Knoch is looking to take the next step this year as they get older and continue to develop.

At 7-foot, 260 pounds, sophomore Zane Pacek is a big part of the boys basketball team. Zane plays a huge role in the paint offensively and defensively.

“We are an exciting younger basketball team with lots of talent”,Pacek said. 

Pacek wants to become more of a leader this year and showcase how he’s improved in the offseason.

Pacek was one of three sophomores who started as freshman last season along with Teagan Finucan and Jackson Bauman.

Teagan averaged 17 points per game and Jackson averaged 10. The Knoch offense is definitely going to run the ball through their hands and take advantage of Zane in the post.

The two remaining starters are sophomore Derek Lang who is a great 3-point shooter, and Junior Kaden Spencer who is great defensively and can play a big part on the other side of the ball as well.

The Knights will be looking to control the pace of the game at both ends of the court.

Last season, Knoch posted an 8-15 overall record, but finished 5-5 in Section 4A to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs. The Knights lost 46-35 to West Mifflin in a preliminary round game.

“We had a lot of growth and development toward the end of the year,” Bauman said. “We worked to get better every day, and ended up being a playoff team.”

Knoch’s young core of players has continued to work on its game during the offseason, according to Coach Bauman.

“They play a lot of basketball outside of the school team,” said Coach Bauman. “They work very, very hard and want to get better. We’re looking to build on the second half of last year.”

The Knights have a big season ahead of them and we expect them to have a great season.