JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch's boys basketball dropped down a level this season in terms of classification.

The Knights also went up a level — in terms of maturity.

As a result, Knoch has pulled off a rare worst-to-first turnaround on the hardwood this season.

“Sure, going from 5A to 4A has been a factor,” Knoch coach Ron McNabb said. “But watching how these kids have developed and matured over the past year has been a bigger factor.

“They've grown up.”

The Knights finished 7-14 overall, 1-11 in Section 2-5A last season. This year, the team put together a 17-4 regular season, 9-1 in Section 1-4A.

Their roster has been virtually the same in both seasons in terms of varsity playing time.

“We had Ben Lucas, a senior, in our lineup last year. We've got Ryan Lang, a freshman, in there this year. That's been about the only difference,” McNabb said.

Julian Sanks is the lone senior starter this season. Fellow starters Scott Fraser, Jared Schrecengost, Brady McKee and Jake Scheidt are all juniors who saw ample playing time as sophomores a year ago.

Lang and juniors Adam Bajuzik and Cole Lassinger are the top players off the bench.

“We're still young, but now we're experienced,” Fraser said. “We knew we were going to get better.”

But this much better?

Knoch is averaging 64.5 points per game this season, nearly 13 more than last year. The Knights are allowing only 49.5 points per game, nine fewer than a year ago.

“We had to trust the process,” Sanks said. “It takes time to grow and come together as a team.”

It takes patience as well.

The Knights lost five section games by 15 or more points last season. Oddly enough, they were 4-3 in games decided by six points or fewer compared to 1-2 this season.

“Last year was tough,” Sanks admitted. “We'd get beat by 20 and have to come back to the gym the next day for practice.

“We had to keep a positive attitude, a good approach. We knew we had talent on the floor. It was like we had to wait our turn.”

Not having to play Mars and Moon anymore helped as well. The Planets went on to win the WPIAL championship last year and Moon was one of the top teams in 5A as well. Those two teams defeated the Knights a combined four times by the average margin of 24.5 points.

“Those were fast teams, great teams,” Sanks said. “But having to play Robby Carmody and Mars helped us in the long run. They showed us what it takes to win.”

Fraser agreed.

“Confidence has made a big difference in our game,” he said. “Moving down to a new section helped. We take the floor every night now believing we can win.

“We trust each other's abilities and we're playing well together.”

Entering the WPIAL playoffs, the Knights have won 15 of their last 17 games. They've won 14 games by double-digit margins.

They closed last season losing nine of their last 11 and lost eight games by double-digit margins.

“These kids never stopped working,” McNabb said. “As rough as last year was, they never got down on themselves.

“I'm extremely proud of this entire team. Coming back to be section co-champions (with Highlands) ... They truly deserve this.”