The boys basketball team started off the season 4-1, but then lost three straight. After that, though, the Black Hawks went 12-3 before losing by a mere two points to North Allegheny in the WPIAL quarterfinals. And, even with an early loss in the PIAAs to Hempfield, one of BP’s best proved why he is considered a star.

Joey Mascaro, a senior guard, was the lone Black Hawk chosen for The Almanac’s Elite Eleven and first team on the All-Star squad. He joined Mt. Lebanon’s Jonny David, Seton-La Salle’s Ryan Norkus and Christian Del Greco, and Chartiers Valley’s Eddie Flohr. The roster was released on April 1.

Mascaro, a two-time all-section team member and two-time Almanac All-Star, averaged 18 points, four assists, and two steals per game this season. He was known around the league as a premier scorer.

“Joe ranks right with the best basketball players that I have every coached, but it is the ‘other’ things that set him apart,” Coach Ben O’Connor said to The Almanac. “He is a very, very well-rounded young man.

Mascaro helped the team win 66 games in four years, which is an average of 16.5 victories per year. What is spectacular about that number is that in the two years prior of Mascaro even being a high school student, the Black Hawks won 12 games combined. In addition, in every tournament the team performed in, Mascaro won either MVP or All-Star honors.

“[He is] a great basketball player,” O’Connor said to The Almanac.

In addition, Anthony Bomar and Jake Dixon were selected to be honorable mentions. Bomar, a senior guard, averaged 7.5 points and six assists per game this season. “[He is our] silent leader,” O’Connor said to The Almanac. Meanwhile, Dixon, a junior forward, averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks per game this season.

Congratulations to these great players. It is almost a given that they will do well in the future.