The Foundation is Set: UDA Wraps a Season of Growth

Feb 10
2 min read

A Season Without a "Goodbye"

For most high school basketball programs, the final buzzer of the season is a somber occasion marked by senior farewells. But for the Upper Dauphin Area (UDA) Trojans, the end of the 2025-26 season felt more like a halftime break. Following a 5-17 campaign last year that saw the departure of four seniors, this year’s squad did something rare: they competed at the varsity level without a single senior on the roster.

While the record books will show the growing pains of a young team, the true story was the "trial by fire" for a rotation featuring 1 freshman, 6 sophomores, and 2 juniors.

The Scoring Surge: Underclassmen at the Helm

Without senior leaders to defer to, the scoring load fell squarely on the shoulders of the sophomore class and a standout freshman. These young players didn't just fill spots on the roster; they became the engine of the Trojan offense.

Kaide Heim (So.): Emerged as the team’s primary scoring threat, leading the way with a consistent 10.3 PPG.
Maddox Barge (So.): Proved to be a reliable second option, averaging 8.6 PPG and providing a spark in transition.
Ian Weaver (Fr.): The lone freshman on varsity made an immediate impact, adding 5.8 PPG and proving he belongs at the varsity level for years to come.
Braden Foraker (So.): Contributed a steady 5.1 PPG, finding his rhythm and offensive identity as the season progressed.
Chris McClain (So.): Rounded out the sophomore core with 4.6 PPG, often doing the gritty work in the paint and providing crucial defensive minutes.

Defensive Landmark and Rivalry Grit

The progress of this young group was best seen in their defensive identity. In late January, the Trojans delivered a masterclass, holding Millersburg to just 19 points in a dominant 52-19 victory.

They also showed a veteran-like ability to make adjustments. After an early-season struggle against Line Mountain, they flipped the script in the rematch with a 51-39 victory. It was a "signature win" that proved the team’s basketball IQ was growing as fast as their stat lines.

Retention

The 2025-26 season was never about a championship trophy; it was about the reps. Every tough loss and every hard-fought win in the Gordon E. Foster Gymnasium was an investment in the future. As the Trojans head into the off-season, they hold a massive strategic advantage over nearly every other team in the Tri-Valley League: 100% retention. While rivals lose their leading scorers to graduation, UDA returns every single point, rebound, and assist to the floor next winter. The rebuilding phase is officially over. Next year, this "young" team returns as a battle-tested veteran squad.