Deer Lakes community welcomes boys basketball team at high school as WPIAL Class 3A champs

The Deer Lakes High School boys basketball team received a champion’s welcome Friday night from parents, students and some school district staffers.

That’s because they returned to the high school as the WPIAL Class 3A champs after defeating their rival Burrell that evening at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center, 55-49.

Fire trucks escorted the buses from the West Deer border to the high school.

Coach Albie Fletcher stepped off the bus holding the championship trophy in one hand and a cellphone in the other to capture the moment.

There was a thunderous applause followed by cheers and what sounded like noise makers.

“We love this community,” Fletcher said. “Their support is just amazing. It was all last year and has been all this year. Best ‘sixth man’ out there. Our kids thrive off of their support and energy.

“Being from this community and living here and going to this school — and to see all these folks means the world to me. It’s still setting in. I still can’t believe we won it again.”

Deer Lakes boys basketball coach Albie Fletcher walks off the bus with the Class 3A WPIAL title to much fanfare from parents and students Friday night pic.twitter.com/wLAXv1H3kN

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) March 2, 2024

This was the team’s second consecutive WPIAL championship.

“Different challenge this year,” Fletcher said. “We were the favorites. Last year, we were the underdogs. A target on our back all year. A much more stressful this year than last year. Definitely different from that end, but still very awesome.”

Fletcher said his boys practiced hard, stayed focused and deserve all their accolades.

Senior Billy Schaeffer was the player of the game. His parents, Bill and Tammy Schaeffer, said they were very proud of him and commended the coach.

Bill Schaeffer said top two emotions Friday were excitement and relief.

Tammy Schaeffer said they planned to celebrate at Deer Lakes Bowl, the nearby bowling alley.

The Schaeffers waited for the buses with semi-retired Deer Lakes teacher Annie Catanese and fellow basketball parent Christy Moore, mother of junior Nathaniel Moore.

They reconvened outside the high school after attending the game.

“My Bubbalooch,” Moore exclaimed shortly before the team arrived. “I’m so excited for all of his teammates, the whole school, the whole community. Everybody’s so amazing. We all get along. This whole community is all there for each other. We all pump each other up as you can see.

“Even if we would have lost this game, the community would have been here to (welcome) us back.”

Catanese wore a white t-shirt that read “Lancer Hoops Re•Pete 2024.” She served as a teacher at the district’s primary center for more than 40 years.

“I live and breathe for these children,” Catanese said. She posted quarter scores on her Facebook page and talked about the team like a sports analyst.

“It’s the same vibrant feeling that we had last year,” Catanese said. “We lost four seniors that were fabulous. It was good to see that we had kids that step up now. We’ve got sophomores and juniors and we’re going to lose four more seniors (this year). But these kids all stepped up.”

She said she is excited for the team to compete for the state title in Hershey.

“I can taste the chocolate in my mouth,” Catanese said.

Deer Lakes High School boys basketball team gets a champion’s welcome by parents and students as they return with the WPIAL class 3 title Friday night pic.twitter.com/63tW88pGbV

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) March 2, 2024

High school geometry teacher Tim Callwood had his hair cut and dyed green to show his team support.

Several students were tailgating the team’s return including junior Evan Kenney, who sat on the back of a pickup truck.

“A lot of excitement,” Kenney said about the moment. “Still kind of nervous. Yeah, we did win. I’m ready to see the trophy again. Ready to see the banner up in our gym. Ready to hug the players.”

He went to both championship games.

“It was a harder run (this year), but we did make it,” Kenney said. “We are in the top of our class, top of our section, and I think we can do it again next year.”