If you have any relation to Central Catholic, you have heard of Dante DePante. The star basketball player has been starting on the varsity team since he was a freshman.

The basketball team started the season off strong last weekend, going 2-0 against Bishop Canevin and Mount Lebanon. DePante impressively scored 29 of the Vikings 46 points in the win over Bishop Canevin.

I had the chance to sit down and talk with Dante DePante about basketball, the season ahead, teammates, shoes, and Central as a school. When asked, DePante told me that he did indeed have Division l offers, including North Florida and Pitt Johnstown.

I then asked Dante what his thoughts on the basketball season ahead were. He told me that he was feeling good about the season, and the team was off to a good start.

He mentioned to me that there is good competition around the WPIAL area, and Fox Chapel will be a big game for the Vikings. “Fox Chapel has a good team and good players with a lot of experience. They have a good coach there too.”

However, DePante is confident the Vikings will be able to beat Fox Chapel, following their goal of an “undefeated season.” I then asked DePante about the new coaching staff and who his favorite coach was.

He replied that Coach Urso was his favorite coach, but that liked the whole staff. “I like them a lot. They have a lot of energy and are very invested in the team.” This is great news to hear, as the Vikings have a shot at the WPIAL title this year.

I then asked DePante about his teammates, asking who a “sleeper” teammate was that nobody really knew about. He responded without hesitation, “Vern. He has been doing well and just needs to get back into it. He is a skilled player, and has been cooking in practice.”

Vernon Settles (c/o 2024) was a starter on the football team and plays basketball as well, a dual-sport athlete who is only in his sophomore season at Central.

DePante was also asked his thoughts on Debaba, the six-foot-seven transfer student from Ohio. DePante response was confident, “He’s pretty good. Very big, very strong, very fast, and very athletic. He’s really starting to get the hang of things and fit in the program.”

DePante also explained that the team is very talented, with rebounders, shooters, hustle players, and ball handlers. However, they all have one common goal: an undefeated season.

Lastly, I wanted to learn some things about Dante DePante as a person. I asked him who his favorite artist to listen to was, and likewise his favorite pregame song. He replied with his pregame song is “Monday to Sunday” by Lil Baby himself.

I also asked DePante what his favorite shoe was. He mentioned KD 8 Aunt Pearl colorway. “They have ruined shoes so much. Now they are all big and bulky with straps on them.”