Colts Practicing with Playoff Intensity

The low-point of the Chartiers Valley season came back on Jan. 25 at Mt. Lebanon, when . However, after Monday afternoon’s practice, there’s no evidence that the embarrassing loss ever took place.

That’s because after watching film of the game, Coach Tim McConnell and his players destroyed the DVD, agreeing to forget about the past and prepare for the present.

“I wanted them to see a lot of the things that they did wrong,” McConnell said. “They did a lot of bad things in that film session that they needed to correct, and I wanted them to see it.”

If that was a challenge from McConnell to his players, consider that challenge accepted. After the film session, the players began warming up with a series of free throws and shooting drills. At one point during the session, Spencer Casson, who has struggled from the free throw line all season, made 10 consecutive shots from the stripe as Matt McConnell rebounded for him.

On one of the main baskets, Colts leading scorer Matt Noszka appears focused while shooting off the dribble. He and his teammates are vocal, focused and cheering each other on.

McConnell has always emphasized the importance of making shots, and in order to beat Mt. Lebanon, the coach knows his players need to execute.

“When we’re getting open shots, we’re at our best because we’re penetrating and they’re helping and we’re kicking and making the extra pass,” McConnell said. “We have to do the same thing against Mt. Lebanon: Get the open shots, and bury them.”

After the three-man weave drill and some stretching, the Colts got into the transition offense and defense drill, commonly known as the three-on-two, two-on-one drill. During this drill, Chartiers Valley showed excellent spacing and finishing ability, as well as defensive intensity.

The Colts went directly from their transition drill to a two-on-two drill to focus on closing out and finishing shots. In this drill, all of Chartiers Valley’s key players made impacts on offense and defense.

Noszka and Casson were paired and were not only strong scoring the ball, but rebounded incredibly well. Senior guard Steve Burda paired with Wayne Capers, and the pair showed excellent chemistry, and Capers showed his explosive playmaking ability. Forward Zach Wallace showed his impressive shooting touch, while Christian Kuntz showed that even in practice he’s one of the toughest players in the WPIAL.

Towards the end of practice, Chartiers Valley goes over some quick sets, and then finishes with some more free throws. The Colts proved in that practice that they are up for the challenge of taking on the second-seeded Blue Devils.

And while McConnell is sure to be studying film and sets from Mt. Lebanon, he still believes success lies in the hands of his team.

“We have to be focused like we have been the last few weeks,” he said. “Penn Hills used their athleticism (in the first round) on them, and trapped them a bit and also zoned them up a little.”

“They did a nice job, but weren’t able to finish. We need to do the same thing, but we need to finish it too.”