20 Year Anniversary

 20 Year Anniversary Team

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Basketball Club reached a major milestone when it celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Many, many talented players participated in the leagues through these years. A poll of the coaches who participated in the league from 2010- 2014 designated these 20 players worthy of being considered the leagues top players for this time period for our annual 5-year anniversary designations. The team is filled with legacy players, players who’s fathers were Hall of Fame talents in Western PA where the great traditions set before them were maintained. The players are listed in no particular order, but they were players who helped build the foundation of tradition our players of both today and tomorrow continue to grow that has become the Pittsburgh Basketball Club

1. Aaron Johnson 6’4 Moon– Strong inside/out player who in spite of battling foot injuries through out his career had a strong career at Moon Area under Coach Jeff Ackerman. Aaron signed with Division I William and Mary out of college and completed his career at Clarion University.
2. Sheldon Jeter 6’8 Beaver Falls– Another in a long line of Beaver Falls basketball greats, Sheldon maintained the tradition of his siblings and continued the amazing Championship tradition under Head Coach Doug Biega. Sheldon signed with Vanderbilt out of High School but returned home to Western PA to play for the hometown Pitt Panthers under Coach Jamie Dixon.
3. DeVontae Watson 6’10 Lincoln Park– Devontae was the building block of which Lincoln Park High School continued the great tradition of the Midland Community leading the Midland based cyber school to WPIAL and PIAA glory under Coach Mark Javens. Devontae signed with Temple University where he has been an anchor of Coach Fran Dunphy’s program.
4. Justin Dobbs 6’3 Allderdice– Justin continued the great Dobbs family basketball tradition in Western PA with an outstanding 4 year career at Allderdice High School under Coach Andre McDonald. Justin’s scoring and sticky defense returned Allderdice to the City League championship scene. After attending Junior College, Justin will be continuing his career at Clarion University in the Fall 2015.
5. Geno Thorpe 6’2 Shaler– A second generation scoring machine, had an outstanding 4 year starting career at Shaler Area High School under Coach Paul Holzshu. Geno continued his career in the Big Ten at Penn State University.
6. Wayne Capers 6’2 Char Valley– Wayne was your vintage multi sport star at Chartiers Valley High School, where he was a 4 year starter under Coach Tim McConnell and 2 time winner of the Wovchko award as Summer league MVP. In spite of the great basketball career, Wayne would follow the steps of his father, former Steeler Wayne Sr to the gridiron where he would sign to play college football at the University of Arizona.
7. Nolan Cressler 6’5 Plum – Cressler was one of Western Pa’s most versatile scorer’s in a 4-year starting career at Plum High School under Coach Ron Richards. He finished as Plum’s all-time leading scorer with 1,565 points. Nolan continued his college career at Cornell University but transferred to Vanderbilt University after his freshman year.
8. Micah Mason 6’1 Highlands– A much ballyhooed Junior high and Grade school scorer, Micah lived up to all the hype in becoming one of Western Pa’s all time 3 point shooting guards at Highlands High School. After a brief stay at Drake University, Micah transferred home for medical reasons and is flourishing at Duquesne University under Coach Jim Ferry.
9. Jonny David 6’2 Mt. Lebanon- Son of PBC Hall of Famer and High School Coach Joey David, Jonny had an outstanding 4 year career at Mt. Lebanon High School leading the team to both the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs each of his 4 years on the varsity squad. In spite of numerous offers, Jonny chose to continue his career as a preferred walk on for college basketball powerhouse Kentucky, under Western PA native John Calipari.
10. Devin Wilson 6’5 Montour– Devin excelled at Montour High School under Coach Adam Kaufman (a member of our 10 year Anniversary team) As a 4 year starter, Devin led Montour to heights never before seen at Montour with multiple trips to both the WPIAL and PIAA finals. Devin continued his basketball career at Virginia Tech in the ACC
11. Tyler Scott 6’5 –Gateway– As the son of PBC Hall of Famer Jennifer Bruce Scott and Rod Scott as well as the nephew of PBC Hall of Famer Kirk Bruce, Tyler had the blood lines for greatness. As a 4-year starter at Gateway High School under Coach Mitch Adams, he led the team to the schools 1^st WPIAL championship. Tyler continued his career at Akron University
12. Maverick Rowan 6’7 Lincoln Park– Son of PBC Hall of Famer Ron Rowan, Maverick Rowan led Lincoln Park High School to there 1^st ever PIAA Championship under Coach Mark Javens. As one of the most highly recruited players in the country, Maverick will continue his college career in the ACC at North Carolina State University.
13. Malik Hooker 6’2-New Castle– After a few unforeseen down years, the great New castle basketball tradition returned to WPIAL and PIAA prominence with Malik leading the way under the leadership of Coach Ralph Blundo. Malik won the Wovchko award as summer league MVP and led New Castle to a WPIAL Championship and PIAA Final. Malik continued his great career on the gridiron as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes under Coach Urban Meyer.
14. Mike Lamberti 6’5 South Fayette– Mike was the cornerstone of a basketball resurgence at South Fayette under Coach Rich Bonnarue. As a 4-year starter, Mike routinely led South Fayette into both the PIAA and WPIAL playoffs. Mike continued his career at West Liberty State College, where he would win a Division II National Championship.
15. Barnett Harris, Jr-6’10 Gateway– As the son of former Duquesne great Barnett, Sr. Barnett, Jr. continued the great family tradition for interior play with a stellar 4-year career at Gateway High School under Coach Mitch Adams. Teaming with Tyler Scott, he led Gateway to there 1^st WPIAL Championship. Barnett, Jr continued his college career at the Division I level at Delaware University
16. DJ Porter 6’4 Obama Academy– Yet the son of another PBC Hall of Famer, DJ Porter reminded people of his father Darelle with his high flying dynamic play with a 4 year starting career in leading Obama Academy to the City League Championship. DJ enrolled in Polk Community College where he plays under PBC Hall of Famer, Matt Furjanic. DJ will be transferring to a Division I school in the fall 2016.
17. Cameron Johnson 6’7 OLSH– brother of anniversary team member Aaron, Cameron had an amazing 5 inch growth spurt his Senior year in leading Our Lady Sacred Heart High School to both the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs under Coach Mike Rodriguez. Cameron continued his college career at the University of Pittsburgh under Coach Jamie Dixon.
18. Ryan Luther 6’8 Hampton– One of 3 college basketball playing brothers, Ryan Luther capped an amazing High School career at Hampton High School under Coach Joe Lafko with appearances in both the WPIAL Final and the PIAA semifinals, where they lost both games to section rival, undefeated New Castle. Ryan would continue his college career at the University of Pittsburgh under Coach Jamie Dixon.
19. Matt McConnell 6’2 Char Valley– One of Western Pa’s most prolific scorers, Matt capped an amazing 4-year starting career under his father Coach Tim McConnell at Char Valley with a WPIAL Championship victory. Matt will continue the McConnell college basketball tradition and attend Robert Morris University, where he will play for Coach Andy Toole.