Butler men’s tennis ends eight-year WPIAL playoff drought
BUTLER TWP — Fourteen years ago, the Butler boys tennis team dominated the state.
The Golden Tornadoes have struggled to make a mark in the sport since winning the PIAA title in 2010 and haven’t qualified for the WPIAL playoffs since 2016. But that drought ended this season.
Butler finished the regular season with a record of 5 wins and 5 losses (not an average record on the surface), but advanced to the playoffs, defeating Scherer 3-2 in the first postseason game, and then facing powerhouse Upper St. Clair. was dispatched to The Tornadoes finished the season with 6 wins and 6 losses.
“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Butler coach Conlan Walsh said. “We only have four seniors, but our young players are developing well. Our top two players have really grown. I like where the program is right now.”
Andrew Bocci, a junior and Butler’s No. 1 singles player, went 5-3 in the regular season and 6-4 overall. Ben Basler (senior), No. 2 in singles, went 8-2 in the regular season and 9-3 overall. James Walter (German exchange student), ranked No. 3 in singles, had 6 wins and 2 losses in the regular season and 7 wins and 3 losses overall.
“We play in one of the toughest sections in the WPIAL, so we’ll be playing against some of the top players,” Bocci said. “But I like it because I want to see how good I can be against them.
“Even if you don’t win the game, you can become a better player just by going through that experience.”
Bassler and Bocci both played tennis at Lakeview Athletic Club in Valencia during the winter. Sometimes they practiced with each other.
“We had some guys play tennis this winter, and it made a big difference to the team,” Bassler said. “It was my second year playing at Lakeview. I know Wyatt (Mogus) played at Oxford (Athletic Club) during the winter.
“Kelly Schawkovich played on the team for the first time this year and continued to grow. He helped us a lot in the doubles late on.”
Members of the Butler men’s tennis team, which ended an eight-year playoff drought this season, include, standing from left: Kelly Schawkovich, Ryan Curry, Wyatt Morgus, Ben Basler, head coach Includes Conlan Walsh, James Walter, Andrew Boch, Laken Wissinand and Legend Wilkinson. Sitting volunteer assistant coaches Nick Brothers, Landin Schooley, Jackson Dryden, Henry Gill, Jeremy Schreffler, Carson Stewart, Ryan Orsborn and assistant coach Andrew “Gilly” Gillan.Submitted photo
Schawkovic, Baszler, Walter and Legend Wilkinson are the only seniors on Butler’s roster.
Bocci will return as the No. 1 singles player next year, but the Tornado lineup will look different after him in 2025. Walsh still believes the team can return to postseason play.
“We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores on the team this year, and they take the game seriously,” the coach said. “They’re all going to be back and I think they’re going to have a good offseason.”
Bocci has been Butler’s No. 1 singles player since his freshman year. A former swimmer, he quit the sport before high school and joined the Butler Junior Tennis Association at the age of eight.
“I’ve always enjoyed tennis,” Bocci said. “I need to practice my serve more and hit the ball as hard as I can. My forehand and backhand have improved, but there’s room for improvement there as well.
“Even outside of practice, I’ve been watching young players hitting on the court. That’s encouraging to me. All the young tennis players that are coming up are going to be the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 singles players. I think they’re really trying to get to that.”
Doubles players Ryan Curry and Morgus, as well as Ryan Orsborn and Laken Wisinand, are also juniors on Butler’s roster. Sophomores include doubles Jackson Dryden and Henry Gill, and freshmen include Creedon Dalton, Landin Schooley, Jeremy Schreffler and Carson Stewart.
