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Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Hempfield’s Danny Husenits defends on Greensburg Central Catholic’s David Wachinski during the Greensburg Salem Holiday Classic last season.
Austin Butler had a keen eye for detail when he played basketball at a high level and now is applying similar attentiveness to coaching.
The first-year Hempfield boys coach makes sure each practice is filmed so he can circle teaching moments. He doesn’t want to waste a second trying to mold his team into a winner.
“There might be a bad clip that we watch, but the breakdown and advice will be positive,” said Butler, the former Latrobe star who played Division I college basketball at Holy Cross and Charlotte. “I want us to improve each day. I want them to tear down what used to be here and build the culture back up.”
Butler replaces Bill Swan, who resigned after 19 years over two stints with the program, the second ending tumultuously after multiple investigations into undisclosed allegations against the veteran coach.
The basis of Butler’s coaching philosophy is accountability. He wants a full-tilt buy-in from his group.
“I had a player say to me, ‘Coach, winning is hard,’ ” said Butler, 26. “Yes, it is. I want these guys to show up every day and work, not just on Tuesday and Friday nights. We have a saying, ‘Believe or leave.’ ”
Hempfield only has one returning starter in 6-foot-2 senior guard Danny Husenits. He is one of 11 seniors who were on last year’s roster.
“The question is, can Danny be a vocal leader?” Butler said. “Can he be a voice for us?”
Husenits, who averaged 14 points, said his goal is to have a louder voice around the team.
“The goal for the team is definitely to get better throughout the season and finish on top of the section,” he said. “My biggest focus for my role is to improve as a leader and be more vocal for the guys in practice and games.”
The senior group includes Dom Detruf, Jack Kopas and Trevor Donsen, all of whom saw playing time last season when the Spartans finished 9-12 and missed the playoffs. They lost five of their final six games, defeating Norwin in the section finale 49-32 with interim coach Mark Katarski running the team.
Katarski is now coach of the Mt. Pleasant boys.
Other seniors are Cooper Santangelo, Evan Scheer, Charles Burton, Luke Williams (6-3), Anthony Amatucci (6-3), Alexander Waikus (6-2) and Reese Sekerchak.
Junior Lucas Simmons is a developing player to watch in the backcourt.
The Spartans were always competitive and in games under Swan, and Butler has that same expectation.
Hempfield took eventual third seed Imani Christian to overtime last year and lost 63-61. It also lost 72-68 to the Saints.
“We have a lot of talent here,” Butler said. “The steps we have been able to take (from the summer until the fall) are day and night. The guys are in the grind. I have asked a lot of them. I feel like we have laid the foundation. Now we’re filling in the pieces. Now it’s, can you step up each day and get better?”
Butler wants his Spartans to play fast like his old Latrobe teams.
“Fast and free,” the rookie coach said. “I want to teach them to play basketball without having to look at me. The faster you play, the freeer they are. I say it’s structured freedom.”
Butler’s staff will include his brother, Bryce, a Latrobe alum and former Division II standout at West Liberty; Kason Harrell, who played at Hempfield and Purdue Fort Wayne before a pro career in Ireland; and Norwin alum Dante Rizzo.
While the schedule was made well in advance of Butler’s hiring, Hempfield opens the season Dec. 2 at home against — who else? — Latrobe.
Hempfield boys at a glance
Coach: Austin Butler
Last year’s record: 9-12 (4-10 Section 2-6A)
Returning starters: Danny Husenits (Sr., G)
Others to watch: Dom Detruf (Sr., G), Trevor Donsen (Sr., G), Jack Kopas (Sr., G)
Top newcomers: Lucas Simmons (Jr., G)
SCHEDULE
12.2, Latrobe, 7:30 p.m.
12.5, Penn-Trafford^, 7:45 p.m.
12.6, Indiana^, 3 p.m.
12.9, at Fox Chapel, 7 p.m.
12.12, Mt. Lebanon*, 7:30 p.m.
12.16, at Connellsville*, 7:30 p.m.
12.19, at Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.
12.20, Southmoreland#, 3 p.m.
12.23, Imani Christian*, 7:30 p.m.
12.29, Greensburg Central Catholic+, 3:30 p.m.
12.30, Greensburg Salem+, 5 p.m.
1.6, at Canon-McMillan*, 7:30 p.m.
1.9, Upper St. Clair*, 7:30 p.m.
1.10, Gateway, 1 p.m.
1.13, at Norwin*, 7:30 p.m.
1.16, at Mt. Lebanon*, 7:30 p.m.
1.20, Connellsville*, 7:30 p.m.
1.23, Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m.
1.27, at Imani Christian*, 7:30 p.m.
1.30, Canon-McMillan*, 7:30 p.m.
2.3, at Upper St. Clair*, 7 p.m.
2.6, Norwin*, 7:30 p.m.
*Section game
^Hempfield tournament
+Greensburg Salem tournament
#WCCA Showcase
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected].
Tags: Hempfield
