After three years of devastating semifinal losses, the Mt. Lebanon boys’ basketball team is on the hunt for its first WPIAL championship since 2019. With four returning starters and a developing young bench, the goal isn’t just returning to the semifinals — it’s finishing the job.
Senior captain and four-year varsity player Liam Sheely opened the season with 22 points against Allderdice in the North Hills Tournament. Sheely earned first-team all-section honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons and was the team’s leading scorer last year. As a sophomore, he scored a career-high 30 points.
After missing the first half of last season with a broken hand and losing his senior AAU season to a dislocated shoulder, Sheely said he is ready to give everything to his final year.
“Coming back from that both mentally and physically was very challenging, but it’s exciting to be healthy again,” Sheely said. “It’s the most important year and the last chance for all of us seniors to win something big for ourselves and our teammates.”
Sheely said he wants to showcase more than his scoring this season, after averaging 17.6 points per game last year.
“Everyone knows I can shoot, but I want to pass, rebound and defend better than I have in the past few years,” he said.
Junior Santino Fiumara returns after providing a major spark last season, including a game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left to upset Central Catholic 50–48. He said the competitiveness of daily practices pushes the team to improve.
“Every day when we play, it gets very competitive, and everyone on the team is looking for a spot to play,” Fiumara said. “Everyone is trying to bring their best every day, and when you’re playing against good competition, it also helps you start playing better.”
Fiumara hopes to become one of the team’s top defenders while also bringing consistent energy to practices and games.
Both Sheely and Fiumara said the team’s shared goal is clear: win a WPIAL title.
“We have fallen short of it the last two years,” Fiumara said. “But this year, we have the pieces to go all the way and come out with a championship. The team isn’t expecting anything less, and we all have the same goal.”
Sheely described this year’s group with one word — ready — reflecting the confidence and chemistry that have formed during the offseason.
“The best way to describe this year’s team is ready,” Sheely said. “Everyone seems to have the same goals for the season and the same drive in practice. We’re returning a lot of guys from last year, so everyone has experience and knows what it takes to be good.”
Fiumara agreed, noting how the seniors’ leadership has strengthened the team both on and off the court.
“The most important thing the seniors have taught me is to stay together,” Fiumara said. “Everyone has been playing together ever since youth basketball. Almost every day we’re doing something after practice, so I’ve learned that once you build a bond with the people you play with, it can translate on the court.”
Sheely hopes to continue his basketball career in college, but his main focus this season is playing for his teammates, many of whom are competing in their final year of organized basketball.
“The thought that these games are some of my teammates’ last games of organized basketball they’ll ever play just makes each game so much more important,” Sheely said.
Fiumara said younger players can make an impact by bringing effort and intensity every day.
“Always show up bringing everything you’ve got,” he said. “Make not only yourself, but the people around you better. Try to push everyone around you to be better every day.”
Sheely also encouraged younger players to embrace every moment and learn from each opportunity.
“Just have fun, work hard and don’t make excuses,” Sheely said. “It goes by way faster than you think, so make as many memories as possible.”
Both players emphasized the value of staying united through challenges.
“We’ve all been through a lot of ups and downs in previous seasons, and we’ve stayed strong going through it together,” Fiumara said. “I’m proud to be part of the basketball family here at Lebo.”
Sheely agreed.
“No matter what happens on the court, I’ll remember this season as some of the most fun times in my life,” he said. “There’s nothing more fun than being on a team with a bunch of guys who are all as close as we are.”
