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.
