Butler County’s boys basketball 2026 all-stars: Knoch’s Teegan Finucan POTY, first team, more
Making history became a theme this season for Knoch boys basketball senior Teegan Finucan.
Shortly after he broke the school record for 3-pointers made in a career, which now stands at 185, he surpassed 1998 graduate Aaron Faulx to become Knoch’s all-time leading scorer in a district playoff victory over North Catholic Feb. 21.
Five days later, he and his teammates delivered the biggest victory the Knights have ever earned, a 48-35 decision over Quaker Valley to hand Knoch its first-ever WPIAL championship.
“Winning a WPIAL title was always the goal,” Finucan said. “This season was everything I ever wanted in high school.”
He paced the Knights in scoring with 16.6 points per game, and added 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and drained 41 treys. His leading role in Knoch’s historic campaign has earned Finucan the Butler Eagle’s 2025-26 Boys Basketball Player of the Year honor.
Knoch coach Joe Lafko, who was in his first season with the Knights, said Finucan helped to set the tone for the season before any games were played.
“Teegan was a leader all year for us, beginning in practice,” Lafko said. “That was important during the transition, with a new coach and a new staff.
“On the court, there was no moment too big for him.”
Finucan, who finished his career with 1,527 points, remembers beginning his varsity career on the bench.
“I didn’t expect to play varsity as a freshman, but came in during our first game and scored 26 points,” Finucan said. “I put my foot on the gas and never let up.”
Jake Jewart, Moniteau: Serving as an assistant coach on Moniteau’s varsity team the previous three years, Jake Jewart saw the Warriors’ level of achievement sway from jubilation to frustration.
In 2024, Moniteau used a late rally to defeat Brookville for the program’s lone District 9 title.
Last year, the team failed to reach the playoffs with a 6-15 record.
Moniteau’s return to success happened a lot sooner than many people expected. Under Jewart’s tutelage, the Warriors went 16-9 this year and won a playoff game to reach the district semifinals.
Jewart has been named the Butler Eagle’s Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
“One thing that I knew we had to improve on was turnovers,” said Jewart, who was assisted by his father, Mike Jewart, and Barry Jones. “Last year, we committed over 20 per game and were able to cut it down to 12 this year.”
The starting lineup included Brendin Sankey, Ian Ross, Dawson Cook, Andrew Zepeda and Weston Cook. They combined to score 50 of Moniteau’s 61 points in a playoff win over Kane.
“So many players stepped up as leaders this year,” Jake Jewart said. “It was a lot of fun being around the guys this year.”
Meet the rest of the Butler Eagle’s boys basketball all-stars of the 2025-26 season, including first team and honorable mentions, listed alphabetically:
Teegan Finucan, sr., G, Knoch: Was a very consistent scorer as a four-year starter for the Knights, never averaging less than 13 points per game. Played a key role this season in Knoch’s 2-3 zone defense, which allowed just 41 points per outing.
Vinnie DeFelice, sr., G/F, Knoch: Brought a consistent energy to the court every night and was a key piece in Knoch’s championship season. Averaged 12.2 points, many coming on drives to the basket, and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Stainton Forbes, sr., G, Butler: A physical player with a nice touch to his shot, he registered 15.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Has received offers from Washington & Jefferson College and Slippery Rock University.
Jason Fredericks, sr., G, North Catholic: Paced Butler County in points per game with 23.4. Scorched defenses with 97 treys this season, helping North average 74 points per game, most out of the 133 teams in the WPIAL. Scored 1,000 points in his varsity career.
Andrew Gettinger, sr., G, Butler: Was a solid all-around player for the Golden Tornado, with 14.7 points, 8.8 boards and two assists per game. Is committed to play collegiately at Edinboro University.
Jude Rottmann, sr., G, North Catholic: Posted 16.6 points and four rebounds per game. Added 61 treys, and shot 85% (117 of 137) on free throws. Scored 1,000 points in his varsity career. Teamed with Jason Fredericks to give the Trojans “one of the best guard combos in the state,” according to North coach Jim Rocco.
Owen Congdon, sr., C, Seneca Valley; Dawson Cook, sr., G, Moniteau; Demetrius Crosby, jr., G, Summit Academy; Ben Detisch, sr., F, Mars; Cole Johnston, jr., G, Karns City; Derek Lang, sr., G/F, Knoch; Andrew Omasits, sr., G, Seneca Valley; Brandon Pickett, fr., G, North Catholic; Gavin Tola, jr., G, Freeport; Austen Wroblewski, sr., G, Mars; Andrew Zepeda, sr., G, Moniteau
