Knoch boys basketball coach Josh Shoop knew his team needed practice and game experience to develop chemistry after an extended football season pushed back the Knights' preparation.
"We knew it would take some time to get the kids back into a basketball mindset," Shoop said. "It is happening on both ends of the floor; kids are gaining confidence offensively and defensively. We still have a long way to go to reach our full potential, but we are making strides in the right direction."
Knoch quietly rattled Section 1-AAA recently with four straight section wins, with most coming in exciting fashion.
Knoch (6-9, 5-3) started 2-7 but is 4-2 since, with all four wins coming in section.
Three of those wins were decided by a total of four points. Knoch beat Valley (49-48), Burrell (54-53) and Mars (68-66).
Shoop likes a speeded-up style of play, but said Knoch has the ability to play a post-up game.
"We run when it is to our advantage and we can slow it down when necessary. I
like to run when possible," Shoop said.
Aside from Hampton, Knoch has one of the taller teams in the section. Four key players are 6-foot-3 or taller -- Dakota Bruggeman, Tavita Lio, Marc Vaughan and Mike Schenck.
Shoop said the players are jelling as the season progresses.
"We have great kids that are buying into the team concept, and they do things the right way," he said. "We have the potential to be a solid basketball team."
Cressler breaks record
Plum senior basketball player Nolan Cressler became his school's all-time leading scorer Friday night when he passed 2003 graduate Bobby Franklin's 1,324 points.
That makes three local school scoring marks that have been broken in the past two seasons.
Last year, Nathan Stolitza broke Kittanning's all-time mark held by Jake Demetrius. Earlier this season, Highlands' Micah Mason eclipsed his school's mark held by Jon Pawlak.
Cressler, a 6-4 guard who will play his college basketball at Cornell, has 1,337 points. Earlier this season, he passed his brother, Andrew, for third on the scoring list (1,234).
Mike McKee, who played at Kent State, was second with 1,299.
Coaches vs. Cancer
Seton Hill University in Greensburg will host a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising basketball event on Saturday.
The Fox Chapel boys are the only local team in the field. The Foxes play Latrobe in the opening game at 12:30 p.m.
The other games include Franklin Regional-Jeannette girls at 2; Franklin Regional-Hempfield boys at 3:30; Jeannette-Annapolis Christian boys at 5; Greensburg Central Catholic-Hempfield girls at 6:30; and the Greensburg Central Catholic-Greensburg Salem boys at 8.
Madison returns
Valley girls basketball coach Jeff Cheatham speculated in the preseason that he might get rising sophomore Lashay Madison back.
Last week, he got his wish when the WPIAL approved Madison's transfer back to Valley from McKeesport.
The 5-7 freshman forward plans to return to the lineup soon. She has been nursing a sore knee. Madison averaged 15 points per game as a freshman.
Highlands' Sunday game
Highlands boys will play a rare Sunday game next week. The Golden Rams will play West Allegheny at 11 a.m. in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Legends Classic at Ambridge.
The PBC plans to honor its Hall of Fame class, as well. It includes Valley legend B.B. Flenory. There are four games in all that day. All-day passes are $7.
