Smith hopes gradual progression continues for Mustangs
Rob Burchianti | TikTok³ÉÈË°æ
When John Smith accepted the position as head coach of Laurel Highlands entering the 2023-2024 boys basketball season, he knew success wasn’t going to appear overnight, as the Mustangs were playing for the first time in four years with the program’s all-time leading scorer Rodney Gallagher III.
Laurel Highlands’ No. 2 option, Keondre DeShields, had also graduated, but Smith was up for the challenge in replacing Rick Hauger.
The Mustangs won two games in Smith’s first season before earning five victories in Year 2. He hopes his team can make even more strides in his third year.
“I knew going in that this was going to be a process, especially after having some of the talent we did,” Smith said. “We improved a good deal from Year 1 to Year 2, and hopefully, they are going to improve this year. We spent a lot of time in the weightroom and on the court. We had a good offseason.”
Smith was also encouraged by the number of competitive games his team was in.
“There were probably six or seven games last year that were one of two possession games,” Smith said. “The boys really competed hard, but there was a lack of varsity experience. We are a young team again with two seniors on the roster, but we have played a lot of games and been in the gym during the offseason.
“We have a strong junior class, and our sophomores and freshmen are also strong, plus we are doing well in the middle school program, so we look forward to seeing how our team progresses.”
Luke Martin and Sevi Vecchiolla are Laurel Highlands’ two seniors. Martin was a key offensive threat last season and Vecchiolla is a grinder who plays tough inside.
“Both of those guys have put in a lot of time this year, and I believe they are leaner and tougher,” Smith said. “Sevi is an old-school type of player. We worked a lot on his defense, and we appreciate his aggressiveness, but we are trying to have him tone that down just a tad so he doesn’t get in foul trouble.”
Juniors Tyrone Burton, Kayden Smith and Jude Packrone have been penciled in as the Mustangs’ final three starters in the early part of the season. Nick Crouch will be Laurel Highlands’ sixth man.
John Smith has also been impressed with freshman Damon Revak, sophomores Jonah Coleman and Jackson Nairn, and juniors Ryan Revak and Alafia Calloway.
The Mustangs return to play in Section 1-5A with Albert Gallatin, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Latrobe, McKeesport, Penn-Trafford and Uniontown.
Smith believes the section is the most competitive in the WPIAL and expects his team to be in for a battle each night.
“You can’t take anyone for granted,” Smith said. “Gateway and Latrobe are going to be very tough this year, but McKeesport will be, too, and can never forget about Uniontown because even though some of their top players graduated, Robbie always has his guys ready.”
Brownsville graduate Cole Novotney will serve as Smith’s main assistant and is the head junior varsity coach.
Paul Eckert, John Krizner and Robert Tajc will also be on staff, along with Hauger and Gallagher.
“I have a great staff, including Coach Hauger and Rodney,” Smith said. “Obviously, with his commitment to West Virginia as a football player, it is up in the air when it comes to how many games Rodney can get to, but he knows the game and is a mentor for these kids. My son, Timmy Smith, has also been helping out. It is a real blessing to have all these volunteers come on board and help out.”