Goals remain high for new-look Red Raiders
Uniontown enters the 2025-26 basketball season with a new lineup, as the Red Raiders bid adieu to seven seniors, including four starters, from last yearâs squad, but veteran coach Rob Kezmarsky is eager to see what his young squad can accomplish.
Two of Uniontownâs seniors, Tori Grooms and Calvin Winfrey III, led the team in scoring, as Grooms finished his high school career with 1,684 points and Winfrey tallied 1,460. Grooms is second on the Red Raidersâ all-time scoring list behind Terrance Vaughnsâ 1,721, and Winfrey sits at third.
Winfrey had a scoring average of 20.7 points per game during the regular season, while Grooms came in at 17.7 points per contest.
Kelan Milsom was Uniontownâs do-it-all player, as he could play any position on the court, including center, and more than held his own. Ayden Kiefer was the fourth senior who started for Kezmarsky last season.
âWe couldnât be more proud of the impact our seniors had on the program, and wish them nothing but the best,â Kezmarsky said. âCalvin and Tori played in 20 playoff games in three years, but we have a saying that âtradition doesnât graduate at Uniontown.â We take pride in our program, and these kids coming up have been working to be the best they can possibly be.â
Kezmarskyâs nephew, Christian Kezmarsky, has worked with players as high as the NBA, and believes his uncleâs team can flourish despite being young.
âThis is a great group of kids, and we have set-up a tough exhibition scheduled to get us ready for section play,â Rob Kezmarsky said. âWe know a lot of teams are coming after us, but we look forward to the challenge. Gateway has some players back, and McKeesport has a lot of players back, but we prepare for every team in the section the same.â
In addition to the Gators and Tigers, the Raiders will also play Albert Gallatin, Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Laurel Highlands and Penn-Trafford in Section 1 (5A).
Uniontownâs lone returning starter from last yearâs team is 6-0 senior Isaac Ellsworth, who enters the season with 648 career points. Ellsworth has connected on 79 three-pointers and shot 88 percent from the foul line.
Ellsworth has worked to improve the other aspects of his game, and is eager to show the WPIAL what he can do.
âItâs amazing the big games Isaac has been in the last two years,â Kezmarsky said. âHe will challenge to be the leading scorer in the WPIAL, and as good a player as he is, Isaac is an even better kid.â
Cam Dugan was the Red Raidersâ sixth man last year, but the junior played starters minutes and he is a tough defender who can shoot from beyond-the-arc and get to the hoop.
âWe really consider Cam a returning starter,â Kezmarsky said.
Junior Anthony Sheffey provides Uniontown with an interior presence with his 6-5 frame. He is a solid rebounder, shot blocker and can score inside. Sheffey saw varsity action last season.
Fellow junior Payden Fitzgerald is a 6-6 guard who provides the Red Raiders with a dynamic big man who can dunk and block shots.
âThis is probably one of the biggest teams Iâve had,â Kezmarsky said. âWe are excited to see what these kids can do with their height and athletic ability.â
Junior Nolan Baker provides scoring punch, and he can shoot from beyond-the-arc, and fellow 11th grader Donovan Coffey provides inside scoring and is a solid rebounder.
Senior Chase White can play both point or shooting guard, and has the ability to shoot from outside or drive to the basket. White will provide a solid defensive effort.
The remainder of Uniontownâs roster is: Stephen Dillard, Nate Hice, Brayden Hinzy, Zion Hopes, Matthew Page and Kylar Tibbe.
Warare Gladman returns as Kezmarskyâs longtime assistant coach.