Best of the Best
Get to know the dedicated coaches and passionate staff behind Pittsburgh Buckets. We come from all walks of life and are united in our passion for competition and sportsmanship. We’re fortunate enough to be working with the best in the industry, and we know that we really couldn’t have become #1 without our incredible coaches. Read more about our individual professional coaches below.
COACH JUSTIN WALTHER
Justin Walther has been a head varsity high school basketball coach for the past 10 years. His record is 104-82. Walther was Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Plum Senior High School the last 2 season. Previously, Walther was Head Coach at Winchester Thurston for two seasons, where his teams went 22-14. Both seasons the Bears reached the WPIAL Playoffs and in 2021-22, WT made the PIAA Playoffs for only the second time in school history. In 2016, Walther was named Head Coach at Serra Catholic, where he spent 4 seasons. His teams posted a 58-36 record in his four seasons. In 2018-19, Serra was WPIAL RUNNER-UP and made a PIAA FINAL EIGHT appearance. Walther was named MON VALLEY INDEPENDENT COACH OF THE YEAR that same season. Walther was Assistant Boys Varsity Coach at West Mifflin High School in 2015-16 and was also Head Freshmen Coach. In 2014-15, Walther was named Athletic Director, Head Coed Varsity Soccer Coach and Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Wilson Christian Academy in West Mifflin. Walther led his basketball team to a 10-0 conference record and their first Conference Title since 1980.
Prior to coaching, Walther played high school basketball at Pittsburgh Central Catholic from 1991-95. He finished as the school’s 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer and received numerous accolades, such as Post-Gazette All Quad A and was Pittsburgh Tribune Review East Region Player of the Year in 1995. After high school, Walther decided to further his playing career at Division I – Robert Morris College. Walther redshirted there and a coaching change prompted Walther to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Walther finished his career with a record of 89-23 at UPJ, 2 NCAA Tournament Appearances, All-American Accolades from numerous outlets, including 1st Team All-America, East Region Player of the Year and Division II Player of The Month. He finished with 2,073 Points – UPJ’s All-Time Leading Scorer since November of 1999. Walther was also the school’s second All-Time Leading Rebounding at the time. In April of 2013, Walther was inducted in the UPJ Hall of Fame for all of his accomplishments ending a decorated career.
Walther graduated from UPJ in May of 2000 with two degrees – Business Finance with a minor in Marketing Management and Information Systems with a minor in Marketing Management. Walther, his wife Lisa and son Declan reside in Munhall.
COACH SARAH MERLINA
Sarah has been a coach with Pittsburgh Buckets since 2021. The only thing Sarah loves more than coaching basketball is playing basketball. She has had a basketball in her hand since she was three years old and has had the opportunity to learn from many different coaches, each with their own unique coaching style.
In 2014 and 2016 she led her grade school basketball team to two undefeated seasons along with two diocesan championships. In 2016 she was also chosen to be on the Round Ball All Star Team.
Sarah played for Seton La Salle High School from 2016 to 2020, while also playing for Pittsburgh Buckets. She then went on to play on the collegiate level at Chatham University and then Carlow University. Sarah always works to keep her basketball skills sharp. She will tell you herself she is her toughest critic and always works to improve her own skills, which helps her be the best coach she could be.
Sarah is currently entering Grad School at Geneva College, where she will continue her playing career. She graduated from Carlow University this past Spring with her bachelor’s degree in Business.
COACH NOLAN LARRY
Nolan Larry is the current Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Elizabeth Forward High School (2 years). He just finished his 20th season of coaching basketball. His previous stops include Sto-Rox High School (Head Girl’s Coach 2 seasons, Boy’s Varsity Assistant 10 seasons), Riverview High School (9th grade coach 3 seasons), Washington and Jefferson College (Woman’s Assistant Coach 1 year) and the University of Pitt-Greensburg (Men’s Assistant Coach 2 years). Coach Larry has had numerous successful seasons at each of those stops and most recently has qualified for the playoffs in both of his first two seasons at Elizabeth Forward.
Prior to coaching, Larry played high school basketball at Greensburg Salem High School from 1995-1999. He was a two-time all section player, a member of the AAAA Fab 5 team as a senior and is currently the 7th all-time leading scorer with 1352 points. After high school, Larry played D3 basketball at Washington and Jefferson College. Larry’s success continued during his career at W and J. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer (now 2nd) with 1654 points. He also finished 3rd all-time in assists and holds the record for most points in a season and most assists in a game. He was a 3-time all-conference player, 3-time all Great Lakes Region performer, and was an Honorable-Mention All-American entering his senior season.
Larry graduated from W&J in 2003 with a degree in Cell/Molecular Biology and obtained his Master’s in Education from Duquesne University in 2006. Larry currently teaches chemistry at Elizabeth Forward High School and lives in Trafford with his wife Ashley and three children: Rylan, 12, Jaxton, 10, and Rowyn, 6.