From Scanlon Hill to Fox Chapel: Phil McGivney's legacy lives on with Joey

Joey McGivney leading Fox Chapel

Phil McGivney’s love of basketball started in a rural area of Western Pa. known as Scanlon Hill, a few miles outside of Lilly, Pa., a small coal-mining community bisected by the Pennsylvania Railroad. His family were the Scanlons, and his Aunt Ruth was a member of the first girls basketball team at Lilly High School in the 1920s. His uncle also taught him the rudiments of the game as a youngster.

Phil's passion for basketball grew quickly, and by the 1950s he was competing at the high school level. His playing career culminated in 1959 when he helped lead Lilly High School to its first-ever appearance in the PIAA State Championship game.

After college, he started teaching the game to young people, including his family, and for the next four decades immersed himself in those efforts while teaching English at Cresson and Penn Cambria high schools. 

Along the way, he passed his love of the game to his oldest son, Philip (Phil) Joseph McGivney, the eldest child of Phil and Carol (Kunrod) McGivney. He watched his varsity team become a District 6-AAA champion in his senior year at Penn Cambria in 1989. 

After a successful career at Penn Cambria, Phil continued his basketball journey at St. Vincent College. Years later, he found himself following in his father's footsteps—coaching, mentoring young athletes, and eventually introducing his own son, Joey, to the game.

The basketball journey for the McGivneys is now in its seventh decade as Joey enters his senior year at Fox Chapel High School. 

There is only one thing missing from Joey's basketball journey: his grandfather's presence in the stands. He passed away in 2024 but was fortunate enough to watch Joey develop a love for the game at an early age.  However, he will not see Joey’s quest for a WPIAL title and an offer to play in college over the next year — as his father did. 

Phil Sr. would be very pleased

Joey fell in love with the game as early as 2 years old. He started to learn about the game from his father while his grandfather proudly watched his progress. In fact, he told Phil when Joey was little that he was going to be better than him. He joined his dad at many of his practices and went to most games.  He began attending workouts at The Scoring Factory at 5 years old learning the fundamentals of the game and igniting a passion for the game.  That passion for the game continued into grade school at CDTCA before moving to Fox Chapel Middle School. He also began to play AAU in middle school where his game continued to grow and develop.  

Phil Sr. taught his son in a very different way than how Joey has learned the game because times offer many more opportunities today. Phil was taught the game in his driveway by his father and on the playgrounds. Joey has had the opportunity to work with many great coaches over the years including ones at The Scoring Factory where his foundation and great habits were instilled. He also worked with skill and strength coaches that have given him the tools to become a complete player. He has also played on AAU teams including 4G, Wildcat Select 3SSB, and is now finishing his last AAU season back where it all started, The Scoring Factory. 

Phil praised his son’s coaches for the work that they have put in as Joey developed. However, he has one similarity with the blue-collar roots of his grandfather. Joey's work ethic reflects the values that have defined the McGivney family for generations. He works on his game daily, dedicates himself to strength and conditioning, embraces the discipline required to pursue excellence on and off the court. 

Joey also appreciates the importance of education. His mother is Dr. Melissa McGivney, Pharm.D, who was the Associate Dean at the School of Pharmacy at the University of University for 23 years and now works for the American Pharmacists Association. His father earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Master of Science in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie-Mellon. He is now a business executive in Pittsburgh.

As Joey prepares for his senior season at Fox Chapel, he hopes to help lead his team on a championship run while earning the opportunity to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level. No matter where that journey leads, one thing is certain: he carries with him the lessons, values, and passion for the game that began generations ago on Scanlon Hill.

From Lilly to Penn Cambria, from St. Vincent to Fox Chapel, the McGivney basketball story continues—one built on family, hard work, education, and a lifelong love of the game.

Phil Sr. would be proud. He is carrying on that McGivney tradition in a great way.