NATRONA HEIGHTS — When it comes to varsity basketball, St. Joseph's is as consistent as it gets.

The Spartans have reached the WPIAL Class A playoffs in 11 successive seasons, winning four section titles and reaching the title game once during that stretch.

If such success continues this season, the Butler area will have plenty to do with it.

Three of St. Joseph's starters are from Butler, as is a sophomore guard who sees varsity minutes. The Spartans' senior team captain is from Penn Township.

“I'd be hurting without those guys,” veteran St. Joseph's coach Kelly Robinson said. “We only have 10 varsity-caliber players on the roster, the least we've had in 12 years.

“Without these five, I'd be stretching minutes for the other five and suiting some players for varsity who just aren't ready yet.”

Robinson has gotten help from Butler products before. Mike Connelly scored more than 1,000 points for the Spartans before graduating in 2012.

“But this many at once? Yeah, it's a rare thing,” the coach said.

Vince Tosto, a 6-foot-1 senior forward and team captain, formerly played for Holy Sepulcher in Glade Mills. The other four Spartans from Butler — senior starting guard Chris Gamble, junior 6-4 starting center Sam Beaver, junior starting forward John Ferguson and younger brother Noah, a sophomore guard — all played for Butler Catholic.

Ray Ferguson coached the four at Butler Catholic — and coached against Tosto.

“They just all wound up at St. Joseph's together,” Ferguson said. “When John and Sam were eighth-graders at Butler Catholic, the team won its section.

“All of those Butler Catholic teams made the playoffs when these four guys went through the program.”

Now they're succeeding again.

Beaver is averaging eight points and 11 rebounds per game early this season and blocked 11 shots in the Spartans' first two games.

“He's still adjusting to playing with his back to the basket,” Robinson said. “When Sam's not on the floor, we have to adjust the way we play because he's our only big guy.”

Gamble is averaging 12 points per game and plays point guard quite a bit.

“We're pretty much point guard by committee, but Chris brings the ball up the floor for us much of the time,” Robinson said.

John Ferguson is netting 8.5 points per game and is one of the more versatile players on the team.

“He's got great ball handling skills and is like a third guard on the floor, but we can post him up when needed,” Robinson said. “He can do a lot of things.”

Tosto is in his third year on the St. Joseph varsity and brings energy to the lineup when he's on the floor.

“He's a good leader and the kids like him,” Ferguson said. “Vinde is a good rebounder, a good defender. He gets on the floor after loose basketballs and always provides quality minutes.”

Robinson believes St. Joseph's has a shot at winning its section this season — but the task will be difficult.

“Our league is very balanced,” he said. “There's going to be a good team or two in our section left out of the playoffs.

“No match-up is a foregone conclusion in our league this year. We're working on a rotation that's going to involve all 10 of our guys. They're all going to see plenty of action.”

St. Joseph's is off to a 2-1 start this season, including a 66-65 win at Karns City Wednesday night.

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