Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day player poll: Preseason player of the year, most underrated, best uniforms, more
BUTLER — The first Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day was our chance to take stock ahead of the 2025-26 high school season.
It’s a chance to ask how players and coaches think the next three or so months will go, what they’re excited for, what’s new, what’s old and everything in between.
But what do Butler County’s top players think about their neighbors? What’s on their Spotify warm-up playlist? Which student section gives them the toughest time?
The Eagle handed out an anonymous poll to many of the players who descended on the Butler Family YMCA last week to find out their thoughts on a variety of subjects, including basketball, pop culture and other topics.
There were 24 boys and 15 girls who filled out the questionnaire. The results below highlight the top three answers for each question (ties included), separated by boys and girls. Included is some additional analysis and thoughts.
Here’s what players had to say:
Boys: Andrew Gettinger, Butler (9); Teegan Finucan, Knoch (4); Doug Senge, Slippery Rock (3)
Girls: Natalie Hambly, Seneca Valley (6); Naomi Venesky, Karns City (4); Brady Wehner, North Catholic (3)
Analysis: Two clear winners here, and hard to argue it. Gettinger was one of the best in the county last year, averaging 15.3 points, seven rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.6 blocks while playing as a wing who also had sizable ball-handling duties. Hambly, a guard, committed to Pitt-Johnstown in August and was a Butler Eagle honorable mention and All-Big 56 first-team selection last season.
Boys: Mike Graczyk, Freeport (3); Noah Gordon, Slippery Rock (3); 2 votes each - Austen Wroblewski, Mars; Jace Gratzmiller, Butler; Chase Thimons, Mars; Trent Fleming, Union
Girls: Brooke Dufford, Seneca Valley (5); Madison Romanovich, Slippery Rock (2); 1 vote each - Emily Matz, Moniteau; Brady Wehner, North Catholic; Erica Rebovich, Seneca Valley; Ella Omasits, Seneca Valley; Brielle Jordan, Slippery Rock; Gia Kovacik, Slippery Rock
Analysis: The fun of this exercise is getting a sneak peek at who teammates and local players who see their peers on the AAU circuit and in summer leagues think will have breakout seasons. But there’s a lot of parity in the polls.
Boys: Butler (12), Mars (4), Knoch (3)
Girls: North Catholic (6), Seneca Valley (4), Mars (3)
Analysis: Despite the loss of point guard and 3-point specialist Tayt Lucas, the Tornado return a ton of talent this year after a WPIAL Class 6A tournament appearance. And teams in the area, even those not competing in the WPIAL, clearly notice. The Trojanettes are in a similar boat, loaded in the starting lineup and experienced in the postseason. All six teams here are likely in store for big seasons.
Boys: Seneca Valley (8), Freeport (5), Mars (3)
Girls: Mars (4), Seneca Valley (4), North Catholic (3)
Analysis: Entirely subjective, but the Raiders’ threads slate gray and blue look at media day was sharp. But look at both sets for the Fightin’ Planets: an under-the-arm dotted accent on the girls’ white unis and stars and planets for the boys. Very unique.
Boys: Karns City (5), Knoch (3), Montour (3)
Girls: Moniteau (4), Montour (4), Butler (3)
Analysis: Here’s where players could look within Butler County and without. Montour gets the “win” with both boys and girls teams from the area picking that gym as a favorite.
Boys: Deer Lakes (3); 2 votes each - Butler, Grove City, Karns City, Moniteau, Moon, New Castle, North Catholic, Red Bank Valley
Girls: Butler (4), Freeport (3), Moniteau (3), South Fayette (3)
Analysis: Alert to the student sections at local boys games this year: step your game up this season to get in players’ heads ahead of next year’s media day.
Boys: Top artist - Drake
Girls: Top artist - Drake
Analysis: Have to pivot here a little bit, because there were no clear winning songs, which shows the individual styles and preferences of high school athletes. But Drake’s name came up more than any other artist.
Boys: Rumi (4), Jinu (3), Zoey and Mira (1)
Girls: Jinu (3), Rumi (2)
Analysis: I overestimated the popularity of the viral streaming movie at media day, but the two main characters, Rumi and Jinu, walk away easily with these titles.
Boys: Yes (21), No (3)
Girls: Yes (9), No (6)
Analysis: Considering the PIAA seems poised to bring the shot clock into play by the end of the decade, joining a growing number of states, these players don’t have much choice. But there’s a pretty clear consensus, especially on the boys’ side, to adopt the timer.
Boys: 2 votes each - Cooper Flagg, Anthony Edwards, VJ Edgecomb, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry
Girls: Cameron Brink (3), Cooper Flagg (3), Paige Bueckers (2), Stephen Curry (2)
Analysis: Cooper Flagg and Stephen Curry are the most popular players in this generation, although this question got well over a dozen answers. LeBron James? Just one vote.
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Butler’s Jace Gratzmiller, left, Andrew Gettinger, and Stainton Forbes during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Jace Gratzmiller, left, Andrew Gettinger, and Stainton Forbes during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Emily Hoffer (23), left, coach Mark Maier, and Emily Cornish (33) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Emily Hoffer (23), left, coach Mark Maier, and Emily Cornish (33) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Max Zigo (3), left, Michael Graczyk (21) , and Gavin Tola (5) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Max Zigo (3), left, Gavin Tola (5), and Michael Graczyk (21) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Macy Stivenson (5), Jaisa Gaillot (23), Nia DiSanti (14), and Lillian Holloway (3) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Macy Stivenson (5), top left, Jaisa Gaillot (23), bottom left, Nia DiSanti (14), bottom right, and Lillian Holloway (3), top right, during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Keegan Schrecengost (44), left, and Josh Peters (2) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Hanna Dailey (13), left, coach Steve Andreassi, and Naomi Venesky (1), during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Hanna Dailey (13), left, coach Steve Andreassi, and Naomi Venesky (1), during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Vinnie DeFelice (30), left, Derek Lang (2), and Teegan Finucan (21) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Vinnie Derek Lang (2), left, and Teegan Finucan (21) hold DeFelice (30) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Aubrey Spencer (13), left, Jada Burgard (2), and Olyvian Foster (30) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Aubrey Spencer (13), left, Jada Burgard (2), and Olyvian Foster (30) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Max Ben Detisch (35), left, Nicholas Santoro (4), Austen Wroblewski (5), and Chase Thimons (2) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Max Ben Detisch (35), left, Nicholas Santoro (4), Austen Wroblewski (5), and Chase Thimons (2) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Alexis Cashdollar (5), bottom, Mya Moore (12), middle, and Cecilia Christy (24), top during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Mya Moore (12), left, Alexis Cashdollar (5), and Cecilia Christy (24) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey (5), left, Corbin Fallen (50), Braden Beachem (45) and during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Corbin Fallen (50), left, Brendin Sankey (5), and Braden Beachem (45) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Sayge Brunst (22), left, Emily Matz (25), and Annalyce Baptiste (4) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Sayge Brunst (22), left, Emily Matz (25), and Annalyce Baptiste (4) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Jaxon Householder (2), left, Andrew Omasits (3), and Owen Congdon (0) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Jaxon Householder (2), bottom left, Owen Congdon (0), bottom right, and Andrew Omasits (3), top, during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Brooke Dufford, left, Erica Rebovich, coach Dorothea Epps, Natalie Hambly, and Reece McFadden during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Brooke Dufford, left bottom, Erica Rebovich, left top, Natalie Hambly, right top, and Reece McFadden, right bottom, during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Doug Popovec (3), left, Casey Darr (10), coach AJ Motta, Sawyer Allen (14), and Doug Senge (31) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Casey Darr (10), left, Doug Popovec (3), Sawyer Allen (14), and Doug Senge (31) hold coach AJ Motta during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Madison Romanovich (24), left Gia Kovacik (12), and Brielle Jordan (10) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Madison Romanovich (24), Gia Kovacik (12), and Brielle Jordan (10) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union's Logan Carr (5), left, head coach Logan Pistorius, and Jackson Renwick (4) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union's Logan Carr (5), left, and Jackson Renwick (4) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A-C Valley’s Andrew Preston (5), left, and Joe Rapp (31), hold Noah Ithen (1) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A-C Valley’s Andrew Preston (5), left, Noah Ithen (1), and Joe Rapp (31) during Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Butler County Family YMCA. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock High School's Gia Kovacik (12) participates in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Andrew Omasits (3) shoots during a Three-Point contest at the Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Mars High School boys basketball team are interviewed by Butler Radio during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler
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Moniteau High School's Corbin Fallin (50) competes in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Members of the North Catholic girls basketball team pose for a portrait with Scoop the Butler Eagle mascot during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock High School's Doug Popovec (3) competes in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Members of the North Cathlic basketball team are interviewed by Tyler Friel with the Butler Radio during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Cathlic's Sam Weir (14) spins a basketball on her finger for a video during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Moniteau girls basketball team pose for a portrait during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock High School's Gia Kovacik (12) participates in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Highs School's Madison Romanovich (24) takes part in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau High School's Corbin Fallin (50) competes in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler High School girl's basketabll players Emily Hoffer (23) and Emily Cornish (33) and head coach Mark Maier stand for a portrait taken by Rob McGraw during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School basketball head coach Kevin Trost and members of the boys basketball team take part in an interview with Butler Radio during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Butler High School girl's basketabll players Emily Hoffer (23) and Emily Cornish (33) and head coach Mark Maier take a fun portrait during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock High School's Casey Darr (10) competes in a Three-Point contest during the Butler Eagle Media Day at the Butler County YMCA, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
