Scotties face challenging section schedule
The Southmoreland boys basketball team enters the 2022-23 season with a strong challenge ahead.
鈥淲e have got to find a way to compete against five really good basketball teams,鈥� said Scotties head coach Frank Muccino.
Section 3-AAAA includes defending Class AAAAA champion Laurel Highlands, Uniontown, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, and Albert Gallatin. Mount Pleasant and Yough have dropped to the Class AAA.
Muccino enters his 13th season as Southmoreland鈥檚 head coach.
Muccino noted the Scotties have an experienced core that has the ability to compete, 鈥渂ut we鈥檒l really have to play a physical brand of basketball.鈥�
Many the juniors have been in the fire of competition for two seasons. Ty Keffer (6-3) led the 8-12 Scotties in scoring with an 18.3 per game average.
鈥淭y is our leader,鈥� Muccino said. 鈥淗e has a ton of ability, and had to grow up fast as 盲 freshman without a lot of help. He was really good last year and we expect the same kind of improvement this season.鈥�
Joining Keffer as returning lettermen are senior Elijah Myers (6-0), and juniors Kadin Keefer (6-2), Ronnie Collins (5-10), and Wyatt Richter (5-11).
Additional juniors are David Billheimer, Legacy Sanders, Ty Campbell, Cody Bateman, and Wills Pumeny.
This is the first year of varsity basketball for Sanders.
Muccino noted Sanders brings athleticism to the squad, noting, 鈥淲e鈥檒l see if we can build his skills to help out on the court.鈥�
Three sophomores on the roster are Riley Myers, Logan Riley, and Elliot Premus (6-1).
Muccino looks to develop the physical ability of the five freshmen on the squad, hoping they will develop and help the team as the season moves long.
They quartet includes a pair of 6-2 players in Kaden Kolar and Stanley Chapman, along with Noah Felentzer, Brady Sherbondy, and Ty Whoric.
Muccino, who has taken the Scotties to the WPIAL playoffs in eight of his 12 previous seasons, said the goal is always to make the playoffs.
鈥淲e had. a really good summer and fall, and the team played over 40 games (in the offseason),鈥� said Muccino. 鈥淚t helped the varsity kids to get better, and the freshmen to see what we do. We have to combine defense, rebounding, and toughness if we鈥檙e going to be successful.鈥�
Southmoreland will open its season with a non-section home game against Frazier on Monday, Dec. 5.