On January 15, 2025, Senior Guard Max Butler scored his 1,000th career point against Albert Gallatin. With this milestone, he became the fourth and final brother to score 1,000 points at Latrobe. The Butlers made WPIAL history by being the first family in basketball to have four boys score 1,000 points. “It’s a great accomplishment. My three brothers came here and did it, so it was a great feeling that I did too,” said Max Butler.

Going into the game, Butler was only six points away from reaching the 1,000-point mark. Which quickly became four points, scoring the first basket of the game. Later in the quarter, Butler was fouled where he put up two free throws. 

Before time could run out in the first quarter, the Wildcats got the ball which made its way to Butler under the basket. Butler rose up over a pair of defenders and made the layup to join the 1,000 point club at Greater Latrobe. 

 The team secured a win against Albert Gallatin that night, 68-57.

On a night filled with emotion and celebration, the Greater Latrobe Wildcats delivered a thrilling performance, securing a 71-43 victory over McKeesport. Latrobe gained control early in the first half, keeping McKeesport scoreless for the first four minutes of the first quarter. McKeesport managed to tie it up in the second quarter 26-26, but an open look from Wetzel gave the lead right back to the Wildcats 29-26. 

Going into halftime, the Wildcats were down by two. Andy Tatsch started the scoring in the third quarter for Greater Latrobe, then came a bucket from Ian DeCerb, a 3-pointer from McNeil, two straight baskets by Wetzel, a free throw from Tatsch, and then a 3-pointer from Dom Scarton. 

Early in the fourth, the Wildcats showed no signs of slowing down their performance. Junior Ian DeCerb started the scoring in the quarter before McNeil made two layups back-to-back to make it 65-37 in favor of the Wildcats. A bucket from Wezel officially gave Greater Latrobe a 30-point lead over the Tigers, and from there, the Wildcats cruised to the win.

With 3:17 to go in the game and a 69-40 lead for the Wildcats, the seniors walked off their home court together for the last time in their high school career. “Watching those seniors go on the floor together to start the game and come off at the end together was a terrific thing,” said Coach Wetzel.

“They really do love each other like they are brothers,” said Wetzel.

The seniors led the way for Greater Latrobe in the win, with Wetzel finishing as Greater Latrobe’s leading scorer with 20 points. Butler was close behind for the Wildcats, finishing with 19 points and an impressive six 3-pointers. Senior Kyle McNeil was also in double figures for Greater Latrobe with 11, while Prohovic scored as well to make sure all four seniors got into the scoring column on Senior Night

Senior night was not just about the game but also about honoring the hard work and dedication of four players who gave their all to the program. “I have coached these seniors since third grade, and it just felt like yesterday, so it was a special night,” said Wetzel.

On March 7, 2025, the team traveled more than 400 miles to Exeter Township for its first PIAA state playoff game, its first appearance in the state playoffs since 2017. Going into this game, Coach Wetzel needed one more win to achieve 300 in his 23rd year of coaching at Latrobe. Latrobe staged a fourth-quarter rally to beat Exeter Township, 64-58. This was the Wildcats’ first state playoff win since 1990. Before that, they won a state game in 1987 when Coach Brad Wetzel was a senior guard. 

The Wildcats, the sixth seed out of the WPIAL, quickly found themselves in a hole to start the game. The Eagles raced out to a 7-2 lead over Greater Latrobe. The Wildcats bounced back, thanks to a 3-pointer from John Wetzel and a layup from DeCerb, to stay even with the Eagles. Both sides remained close until the Eagles took a 19-14 lead exiting the first quarter. 

Going into the second quarter, DeCerb hit a 3-pointer for the Cats, then the Eagles charged on an 8-0 run. This built the Eagles’ lead significantly, with a 21-17 advantage over Greater Latrobe. As the quarter went on, John Wetzel cut the lead to 33-25 before five straight points from DeCerb brought the game within a single possession. Exeter shot the last bucket going into the half, giving them a three-point lead. 

Opening the third quarter, Andy Tastch got the Wildcats back, leaving the Eagles lead to one point. The Eagles then took charge, having two 3-pointers and a trip to the foul line that got the Eagles back up by eight. After a technical foul was called on John Wetzel, the Eagles made two more free throws and took a 12-point lead over the Cats. Wetzel was then fouled on a three-pointer, allowing him to head to the line for three shots, of which he made two. This cut Exeter’s lead down to 11 entering the final quarter of play. 

With the Wildcats’ season on the line, Greater Latrobe came out hot in the fourth quarter. Six straight points by DeCerb once again got Latrobe back into the game down 52-48. A pair of free throws by Exeter brought the lead back up to four points, but Wetzel responded with two points on the opposite end. The Eagles then gained four straight points, keeping their lead at 58-52. A shot by Kyle McNeil cut the lead back down to four, and a layup through a foul by Butler brought it down to two. With possession, the Wildcats took their time finding the best shot to take the lead or tie the game. 

With roughly a minute left in the game, a turnover gave the Eagles the chance to make it a two-possession game; however, a turnover the other way gave the ball back to the Wildcats. Latrobe took the opportunity but missed the shot, giving the ball back to the Eagles, but the Wildcats’ press brought the hosts to their backcourt. 

A foul on Wetzel, his fifth of the night, caused the senior to foul out of the game. The Eagles got the ball back into play, but the ball got loose, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie the game in transition. Tatsch came away with the ball, charging toward the basket, and McNeil was waiting in the paint. Not only did McNeil tie the game, he did so through contact, and a foul was called, sending McNeil to the line for a chance for the Wildcats to take the lead with under a minute of play. 

McNeil took the line and swished the basket, giving the Wildcats a 59-58 lead. Leaving Exeter stunned now they are suddenly fighting for a comeback. A bad pass by the Eagles left Butler with an interception, who was fouled on a shot attempt. Butler was sent to the line for two shots, in which he made one, putting the Wildcats up 60-58. 

With the Eagles’ possession, a missed shot was rebounded by Andy Tatsch and was passed up the court to DeCerb. The Eagles’ foul sent DeCerb to the line, and the Junior quickly put the game out of reach for the Eagles. The Eagles missed a shot, and another foul sent Butler to the line, this time going two-for-two, giving the Wildcats a 64-58 lead. 

With not enough time for the Eagles to come back, the Wildcats were victorious over the Eagles, 64-58. “These guys just showed their resilience and grit that night. Those are the two words that keep coming to mind when I think of these guys; they are just tough kids,” said Coach Wetzel.

With the win, Wetzel achieved the title of 300 wins as Greater Latrobe’s head coach. “When I think about the 300 wins, I think about what got me to those wins, and it’s players like this on this team; that’s who got me to these wins. Players with grit and talent, and that’s what I have been blessed to have,” said Wetzel.  

While there have been rumors of Coach Wetzels retirement from coaching, Wetzel has no plans to end his coaching career anytime soon. “Once I come to the conclusion that I want to continue another year and give the kids the effort they deserve, we set the summer calendar and go back to work,” said Coach Wetzel.