Two from WPIAL named coach of the year;

 Mike White | 8:15 p.m. Monday, March 30

Two coaches from the WPIAL have been named state coach of the year for their respective classifications.

Greensburg Salem's Paul Sapotichne (AAA) and North Catholic's Dave Long (AA) were picked as two of the coaches of the year by the Associated Press. Sapotichne guided Greensburg Salem to the PIAA Class AAA final. Before this season, Greensburg Salem had won only one PIAA game in school history.

Long won North Catholic's first WPIAL boys' title this season and also guided the Trojans to the PIAA final.

Players of the year

The Associated Press also released its all-state teams and players of the year for all four classifications. Sewickley Academy's Tom Droney and Serra's T.J. Heatherington were the only WPIAL players selected first-teamers. They both made it in Class A. Check tomorrow's Post-Gazette for complete all-state team listings.

Below is the four players of the year. And just to jog your memory and think of some other great players, we also listed the players of the year for each season. The list is courtesy of AP.

2009

Dalton Pepper, Pennsbury, Class AAAA
Marsell Holden, Farrell, Class AAA
Sam Prescott, Imhotep Charter, Class AA
Kyle Randall, Kennedy Catholic, Class A

2008
Tyreke Evans, American Christian, Class AAAA
Andrew ``Scootie'' Randall, Comm Tech, Class AAA
Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette, Class AA
Jarrod ``G'' Denard, Freire Charter, Class A

2007

DeJuan Blair, Schenley, Class AAAA
Tony Fannick, Milton, Class AAA
Marcus Morris, Prep Charter, Class AA
Tyreke Evans, American Christian, Class A

2006

Darrin Govens, Chester, Class AAAA
Jeff Jones, Monsignor Bonner, Class AAA
Wayne Ellington, Episcopal Academy, and Gerald Henderson,
Episcopal Academy, Class AA
Tyreke Evans, American Christian, Class A

2005

Darrin Govens, Chester, Class AAAA
Tristan Crawford, Steelton-Highspire, Class AAA
Lance Jeter, Beaver Falls, Class AA
Tim Crossin, Bishop O'Reilly, Class A

2004

Akida McLain, Penn Hills, Class AAAA
Brian Grandieri, Malvern Prep, Class AAA
Adam DiMichele, Sto-Rox, Class AA
Sean Singletary, Penn Charter, Class A

2003

Maureece Rice, Strawberry Mansion, Class AAAA
Ryan Evanochko, Blackhawk, Class AAA
Mike Walker, Trinity (Camp Hill), Class A

Mustafa Shakur, Friends Central, Class A
     

      Big School (Class AAAA-Class AAA)
      2002-Maureece Rice, Strawberry Mansion
      2001-John Allen, Coatesville
      2000-Eddie Griffin, Philadelphia Roman Catholic
      1999-Matt Carroll, Hatboro-Horsham
      1998-Matt Carroll, Hatboro-Horsham
      1997-Lynn Greer, Philadelphia Engineering and Science
      1996-Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion
      1995-Howard Brown, Pottstown
      1994-Dan Fortson, Shaler
      1993-Rasheed Wallace, Simon Gratz
      1992-Dante Calabria, Blackhawk
      1991-Donyell Marshall, Reading
      1990-Rap Curry, Penn Wood
      1989-Billy McCaffrey, Allentown Central Catholic
      1988-Billy Owens, Carlisle
      
      Small School (Class AA-Class A)
      2002-Gerry McNamara, Bishop Hannan
      2001-Gerry McNamara, Bishop Hannan
      2000-John Reimold, Kennedy Christian
      1999-Mark Linebaugh, Annville-Cleona
      1998-A.J. Nastasi, Northern Bedford
      1997-A.J. Nastasi, Northern Bedford
      1996-Joe Linderman, Reading Central Catholic
      1995-Charles Hill, Scotland School
      1994-Kevin Price, Duquesne
      1993-Kevin Price, Duquesne
      1992-Jason Maile, Forest City
      1991-Bob Sura, Wilkes-Barre GAR
      1990-Jonathan Haynes, Germantown Friends
      1989-Jonathan Haynes, Germantown Friends
      1988-Marc Thompson, Abington Friends