It’s probably been Butler County’s best-kept secret and, to some extent the WPIAL’s, but the Summit Academy boys basketball team is piecing together the greatest season in its history.

The Knights tied for the Section 2-AA title with a 10-2 record and had a stretch of 13 wins in 15 games after a 1-4 start.

Summit Academy also picked up two WPIAL playoff wins, which tied the Knights’ record for the most in one season, and earned its first state playoff win — a 44-43 victory over North East Saturday.

While those don’t seem to be amazing accomplishments, consider the Knights have had a program only since 1998.

And the turnover rate at Summit Academy, a school for adjudicated youth, makes it tough for the Knights to enjoy any consistency.

Rarely is a player at the school for a second season. Some haven’t played organized ball for years and haven’t benefitted from playing in a system through grade school, middle school and junior varsity teams.

Each year, the players are thrown together and given little time to mesh. Just size up the players, see who plays the best at what positions and start practice

The Knights, who always travel well with at least two full sections of well-behaved, well-dressed students in attendance, did qualify for the WPIAL playoffs last year and picked up a win, but only one player — Tevin Allison — returned.

Last season, he averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds.

This year, coming off the bench, he’s averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Players like guard Arley Townsend (13.6 points, 5.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game), David Murray (10.3 ppg., 4.8 rpg.), Derek Banks (6.3 rpg.) and Ronald Smith (5.6 rpg., 2.4 spg.) have led the way.

Coach Art McCray is in his first season at the helm, but he served as an assistant under Bill Styche, Larry Washington and Cliff Guy for 12 seasons.

McCray told me in the preseason he was optimistic his team would play with intensity and be tough on defense.

Plus, the school took part in a fall league for the first time.

“In the past, we were not able to do that and we have guys who will be staying here for the entire season,” said McCray. “The kids will benefit from it because they’ll be able to play together instead of being here one or two weeks.”

Did I mention that it’s not uncommon for some players to complete their time at Summit Academy and head back home, even when the season is still ongoing?

It’s not an easy thing to lose a couple of your top scorers, which has crippled the Knights over the years.

For this season, though, the Knights have enjoyed the run. Who knows how much longer it will last?

It doesn’t matter because the fact Summit’s still playing is a great story in itself.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.