Scotties hit hard by graduation, transfers
Frank Muccino has been there before.
Entering his ninth season as Southmoreland’s boys basketball coach, Muccino has seen his entire starting lineup graduate after three straight playoff berths. The same situation happened after two playoff appearances by the Scotties in 2011 and 2012.
The program suffered through winning just twice in two seasons before the past three years provided a combined 51 wins, including playoff victories over West Allegheny and Avonworth.
While being realistic about things, Muccino is also a “glass-half-full” kind of guy. So he sees the bright spots as well.
“I don’t know if anyone in the WPIAL can say they lost as much as we have,” Muccino said.
That’s including eight senior graduates and numerous transfers and moves to other schools. The list includes 1,000 point scorers Tommy Pisula, who graduated, and Brandon Stone, who transferred to a prep school. Other starters were three-year point guard Zak Leighty, Tanner Schwartz and Michael Moresea. Vinnie Keffer and George Hillen also saw playing time, along with Johnathon Leighty, who transferred.
“We are young and inexperienced,” Muccino said. “But we like some of the guys coming back. With the teams we had the last couple years, these players did not see a lot of playing time.”
Along with the difference in experience, the Scotties may be basketball’s version of “small ball.” Muccino said, “We were a big team physically at 6-11, 6-4, 6-3, and 6-2. This year we’ll be 5-10, and 5-11. We’ll be small and play a different kind of game.”
Southmoreland will build around juniors Ronnie Robinson, Cade Richter, and Bill Glowacki, seniors Brandon Owens, Sebastian Kaczmarek, Dylan Eicher, Jason Szatkowski and Brook Peterson. Sophomore Riley Conforti brings lots of potential to the program as well.
“I really believe we will progress and get better as the year goes on, and compete in the section,” Muccino said. “We’re anxious to see which kids step up when the lights go on, and we like our ninth grade team that will be coming up next year.”
The Scotties had some big non-section wins last year against the likes of Norwin, Laurel Highlands, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward and Clairton, and came within a buzzer-beating basket of a win at Monessen.
“Our non conference schedule is brutal,” Muccino said. “But we’ll use those games to try to compete when section play begins. This will all be a learning experience and we’ll have to be patient and work hard.”