NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY GILMORE NAMED WOVCHKO AWARD WINNER AS SUMMER MVP

Congratulations to Neighborhood Academy Senior Kedron Gilmore on being named the 2026 recipient of the Edward A. Wovchko Award as PBC Summer League Most Valuable Player.

Kedron averaged 27 points a game in leading Neighborhood Academy to their first PBC Summer League championship in school history with a perfect 11-0 record.

Kedron will be honored the weekend of January 23, 2027 during a game to be determined at the PBC High School Classic during PBC Hall of Fame weekend.

MARKS AND LAFKO NAMED 2026 CETRONE AWARD WINNERS

 

Neighborhood Academy Head Coach Jordan Marks and Knoch Head Coach Joe Lafko have been named the winners of the 2026 PBC Dick Cetrone Coach of the Year award.

The Neighborhood Academy 2025-26 season speaks for itself. 25-4 overall record, Section Champion, WPIAL Champion and PIAA A Runners-up. Truly one of the best seasons in Neighborhood Academy’s young Basketball history.

The 2026 Cetrone Award is Coach Marks 2nd Cetrone Award- winning the 2025 award as well.

The Knoch season was equally amazing. 23-5 overall record, Section Champion, WPIAL 4A Champion as well as PIAA quarterfinalist.

The 2026 Cetrone Award is also Coach Lafko’s 2nd Cetrone Award- winning the 2009 award as well as Head Coach at Hampton.

The Cetrone Award is named after legendary Sto-Rox Basketball Coach Dick Cetrone, who was the founding father of the Sto-Rox Basketball dynasty, winning 1 State championship, 5 WPIAL Championships as well as 10 Section Titles. Coach Cetrone’s 1983 State Championship team was Pennsylvania’s last 32-0 undefeated state champion. The feat has since been matched by New Castle (31-0 in 2014) and Aliquippa (30-0 in 2016).

Jordan and Joe will be presented with their award at the 2026 Pgh HS Classic at half time of a game to be determined on January 23, 2027 at Montour High School.

PBC WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026 ANNOUNCED

The Pittsburgh Basketball Club Women’s Hall of Fame committee is very proud to announce the following have been selected to the PBC Women’s Hall of Fame, Class of 2026.

We will honor these amazing, coaches, contributors and student athletes at the Annual Women’s Hall of Fame Luncheon on November 7, 2026 at the banquet room at Rockefellers Grille. More information on tickets will be posted in the next few days.

To the following who have done so much for women’s basketball in Western Pa…..Welcome Home!!!

PBC WOMENS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026
LEGENDS DIVISION
PLAYER High School College
Shelly Bortz Geibel Gannon
Jessica Brungo-Booth North Allegheny Penn State
Dr. Teri Gizienski-Ulewicz Deer Lakes Allegheny
Jill Halapin Franklin Regional Pitt Johnstown
Jody Imbrie-Smith Butler Grove City
Kyra Kaylor-Smargiasso Upper St Clair William & Mary
Jane Plake Serra Pittsburgh
Bonnie Rimkus Carlynton Maryland
Colleen Rosensteel Greensburg Central Catholic Florida
Jen Sobota Latrobe William & Mary
Jen Surlas Geibel George Mason
Carrie Walker-Kelly Pine Richland Wagner
Missy Walls Quaker Valley Robert Morris
Brianne Wise-Liberatore Vincentian Indiana
Jody Imbrie-Smith Butler Grove City
COACHES DIVISION
SCHOOL
Dori Oldaker Blackhawk/Mt. Lebanon
Rich Rosensteel Greensburg Central Catholic
(In memory of)
CONTRIBUTORS DIVISION
Kevin “Yates” Connolly Greater Pitt Officials Association
(In memory of)