The Shaler boys basketball team, led by Coach Rob Neiderberger, had a very good season that saw the Titans ranked as high as #2 in 5A before losing in the WPIAL playoffs.
Neiderberger says the moments he remembers most was the time he spent with his team, whether it was in the locker room or someone else outside the court.
The season started off in spectacular fashion as Shaler started out 3-0, including a 20-point win over Burrell and a 30-point win over Freeport.
At one point in the season, the Titans went on a six-game winning streak. That was, however, followed by the Titans losing six of their next eight games.
“What I’m most proud of about this team is that we went through major highs for the first 2/3’s of the season, and then went through some tough lows the last 1/3 of the season,” Neiderberger said. “We could have easily folded. But when the playoffs started, you could feel a revived energy and motivation, and we left everything on the floor in our playoff run.”
Neiderberger said how the end of the season showed him the kind of guys that were on his team.
“They all got mentally stronger from their experiences this year,” he said.
The Titans finished the season 14-9 heading into the playoffs.
In the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, the Titans beat Gateway 48-43, a game in which they raced out to a 14-point lead, but had to fight to come out on top after the game was tied at 42. Mekhi Reynolds led the Titans with 19 points and two baskets in the final mintues to help seal the victory.
That win moved them on to play #2 seeded Chartiers Valley, who ended the season 19-6 overall. Shaler had a one-point lead heading into the second half, but fell to the Colts by seven, 52-45. Reynolds led Shaler in scoring with 21 points, while Nick Rispoli had 12 and Chris White had 10.
Reynolds had a spectacular season for the Titans including reaching 1,000 points with the Titans during a game against Indiana.
“Mekhi, individually, had a great senior season. Everyone knows it, and all of the recognition he gets he deserves. His work ethic became an example not only to players on our team but for the school. He is going to go to college and get a free education because he put in all of the hard work,” Neiderberger said.
Reynolds averaged more than 21 points per game and has drawn attention from multiple colleges.
“If you really want something, you can get it,” Neiderberger said. “Mekhi is the poster boy for it.”