Scotties striving to meet high expectations
The Southmoreland boys’ basketball program has come a long way in the past four seasons. From two combined wins in 2013 and 2014, it has won a combined 32 games the past two seasons. With that progress has come high expectations for this year’s veteran squad.
“We haven’t done anything yet,” said head coach Frank Muccino, who enters his eighth season at the helm of the Scotties. Muccino’s teams have been in the playoffs four times in seven previous seasons.
“There’s a lot of hype. People are saying a lot of good things, but we haven’t played a game. We have great possibilities, but we still have to work towards it.”
The Scotties have three solid players returning to form the core of the program.
Junior Brandon Stone (6-10) was an all-section selection last year. Senior Tommy Pisula (6-4) was an all-section player as a sophomore but missed the entire season last year with a football-related injury. Senior point guard Zak Leighty (5-10) runs the offense and “was one of the top five players in the section in my opinion,” Muccino said. “Those three will lead us wherever we go, but we need everyone else to contribute.”
Competing to complete the starting five are seniors Tanner Schwartz (6-2), Michael Moresea (6-3), George Hillen (6-0) and Vinnie Keffer (5-10). Also in the mix once he recovers from a football injury will be junior Johnathon Leighty (6-4).
Among the 25-player roster are a number of candidates who will provide help, including three young standouts: freshman Cade Richter, and sophomores Ronnie Robinson and Nick Sirianni.
“We have some quality there, but everyone will have to step up and take their efforts to the next level,” Muccino said.
“We ask the kids what their goals are because you need to virtually state it. The seniors said they want to win the section and go deep into the WPIAL and state playoffs. We’ve beefed the schedule up in hopes it will help us to be a competitive basketball team.”
The Scotties have added Norwin, Canon-McMillan and Monessen to a non-conference schedule that carries over Laurel Highlands from last season.
In its revamped AAA section, Southmoreland will battle Washington, Brownsville, Charleroi, Beth Center, South Side Beaver and Burgettstown.
“Washington has had a strong program for 20 to 30 years and should have another quality team. Charleroi and Brownsville have been in the playoffs three or four years, and I believe Beth-Center made the playoffs last year,” Muccino said.
“I don’t know a lot about South Side Beaver and Burgettstown, but they usually have tough kids.
“We know who our core is and we hope to build around it. We have a lot of high hopes for a lot of kids and if they can step in and contribute, we can go seven, eight, or nine deep.”