Memorable season: West Greene鈥檚 Allison, Romanus top GCM All-County Boys Basketball Team
West Greene produced a slew of memorable performances this past boys basketball season and two of the highlights were an individual achievement and a team accomplishment.
On Feb. 12 junior guard Lane Allison scored the 1,000th point of his career in a 40-29 home win over Bentworth. A few nights later on Feb. 16 the Pioneers defeated Avella, 58-47, to notch their first WPIAL playoff win since 1991.
The win over the Eagles was also West Greene鈥檚 first ever on its home court in the postseason.
Pioneers coach Jim Romanus had guided his team into the playoffs in seven of the previous eight years but this was the first time in that span West Greene advanced past its opener.
Allison and Romanus top the Greene County Messenger All-County Boys Basketball Team as the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively.
Romanus admitted he felt relief when his team finally broke through with a playoff victory.
鈥淚t was satisfying that we had made the playoffs all those years but at some point you want to not keep going one-and-done,鈥� Romanus said after the win. 鈥淚t was starting to be very frustrating so it was gratifying not only for the players and coaches, but I think for the fans and the community, to get that win.鈥�
The only other county team to qualify for the playoffs was Jefferson-Morgan under coach Brandon Lawless.
Allison was the leader of a solid group of starters for the Pioneers and was the county鈥檚 leading scorer during the regular season at 19.1 points per game.
鈥淟ane is just a special player and a great leader with an abundance of offensive ability,鈥� Romanus said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got a great basketball IQ also. He has no problem sharing the ball and patiently waiting for open shots. He fits right in with what is a very unselfish team.鈥�
Joining Allison on the GCM First Team are junior teammates Parker Burns and Patrick Durbin, Jefferson-Morgan sophomore forward Dayten Marion and Carmichaels senior guard Dom Colarusso.
The Second Team includes Jefferson-Morgan鈥檚 Jase Bedilion, Waynesburg Central鈥檚 Dane Woods and Cole Headlee, and West Greene鈥檚 Darren Knight and Matt Wassil.
The full Greene County Messenger All-County Boys Basketball Team is listed below:
Player of the Year: Lane Allison, West Greene
Coach of the Year: Jim Romanus, West Greene
First Team
Lane Allison, West Greene
Dayten Marion, Jefferson-Morgan
Dom Colarusso, Carmichaels
Parker Burns, West Greene
Patrick Durbin, West Greene
Second Team
Jase Bedilion, Jefferson-Morgan; Dane Woods, Cole Headlee, Waynesburg Central; Darren Knight, Matt Wassil, West Greene
Honorable Mention
Aydan Adamson, Carmichaels; Alex Vansickle, Waynesburg Central; AJ Vanata, Roger Gradek, Jeremiah Mick, Josh Mick, Braden McIntire, Mapletown; John Woodward, Houston Guesman, Jefferson-Morgan.