Pressure's off Tom Droney, right?

Not quite.

Just because the all-state guard from Sewickley Academy has told the world he will play his college basketball at Davidson, doesn't mean he is going to rest on his laurels.

Droney, a 6-foot-6 senior, wants to win back-to-back WPIAL Class A titles, and he is willing to take a cut in scoring to make that happen.

"People definitely will be watching us," said Droney, who averaged 23.7 points per game as a junior for the Panthers (23-5), who won the WPIAL title and reached the PIAA quarterfinals. "We basically have everyone back, but we have to be ready to play every night. There's a big target on our backs."

Sewickley Academy, the Tribune-Review's preseason No. 1 team in Class A, won't be a one-man show.

Droney, who has 1,375 career points and could get to 2,000 with a big year, thinks the wealth will be spread around.

"This year, I can see my point average going down," Droney said. "We have so many guys that can score. My assists might go up. That's not a problem for me, as long as we win."

Sewickley Academy coach Win Palmer isn't thinking much about what happened last season.

"This is a fresh year so we look at it as a new challenge," said Palmer, in his ninth year at Sewickley Academy. "This group enjoys playing in the limelight."

Droney is one of four returning starters.

The low block is secure with 6-7 senior center Pete Schramm, and 6-2 senior guard Tyler Palmer complements Droney in the backcourt.

Sophomore Dan Timpona may take over at point guard, so Droney may spend more time on the wing.

"He and I will probably switch off and on," Droney said.

Senior 6-4 forward David Bonomo, senior 6-2 guard JT Ahearn and sophomore 6-3 forward Carrington Motley are other key players.

Sewickley Academy opens the season Friday against Aliquippa in the Ambridge Tournament.

Over the holidays, the Panthers will travel to Fairfax County, Va. for the Pohanka Tournament at Chantilly High School.

Sewickley Academy is ranked No. 2 in the state by the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Leaders of the pack

Preseason rankings

Team (2008-09 record) The skinny

1. Sewickley Academy (23-5) Defending WPIAL champs have plenty back and are expected to repeat as champions.

2. Clairton (14-8) Once football guys get back to form, Bears should produce a winner again.

3. Serra Catholic (23-4) WPIAL runner-up still has scoring punch.

4. Lincoln Park (14-8) Primed for another Section 1 title run.

5. Neshannock (17-8) Looking for return to state playoffs.

Predicted section winners: Lincoln Park (Section 1), Carmichaels (Section 2), Clairton (Section 3), Sewickley Academy (Section 4)

Players to watch: Ross Cortese, Vincentian (6-11, Sr., C); Tom Droney, Sewickley Academy (6-6, Sr., G-F); Desimon Green, Clairton (6-3, Jr., F); Rob Heatherington, Serra Catholic (5-11, Sr., G); James Orie, OLSH (6-3, Sr., G); Pete Schramm, Sewickley Academy (6-7, Sr., C).

Predicted WPIAL champion: Sewickley Academy

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