PENNSYLVANIA Boys basketball preview

ELLWOOD CITY
Coach: Bob Kerr, fourth year.
2002-03 record: 9-14, 4-8 Class AAA Section 2.
Returning letterwinners: Theron Colad (6-3, Sr., 17 points, 6 rebounds); Levon Hudson (6-2, Sr., 13 points); Adam Gorgas (6-5, Sr., 6 points).
Newcomers: Mads Larsen (6-2, Sr.); Merce Poindexter (6-5, Jr.); David Piecuch (6-3, Jr.)
Outlook: Kerr says team size and speed are strengths. Point guard play could be a problem -- Marcus Sibeto is coming off major knee surgery and foreign exchange student Mads Larsen is still adjusting to the speed of the game.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC
Coach: Tim Loomis.
2002-03 record: 25-5.
Returning letterwinners: Sharron Summerville (6-2, Sr., G); Shamus Reimold (6-3, Jr., G); Brandon Mirizio (5-9, Jr., G); David Jackson (6-7, Soph., F); Roddy Fuller (6-5, Soph., G).
Newcomers: Rusagara Alberic Kande (6-7, Sr., F); Jason Lane (6-5, Fr., F); Blair Rosenblad (6-4, Fr., G).
Outlook: Size, speed and experience should help to overcome the team's youth -- Craig Wellman, Ramone Truxon and Dan Harris are big holes to fill -- and its lack of an outside scoring punch. Nothing less than winning the state championship is expected at Kennedy Catholic.
LAUREL
Coach: Mike Tinstman, first season. (Also coached at Laurel from 1977-91, compiling 124-214 record.)
2002-03 record: 10-13, 1-9.
Returning letterwinners: Doug Brown (6-0, Sr., G); Bob Turner (6-3, Sr., F); Mike Burkett (6-5, Jr., C).
Newcomers: Kyle Hutchinson (5-8, Jr., G); Jeff Elliott (5-10, Sr., F); Andy Chrobak (6-0, Jr., G); Cory Collins (6-1, Fr., G); Dave Cline (6-6, Fr., C); Tyler Womer (5-9, Soph., G).
Outlook: Laurel has three returning starters and should have a good inside game, but guard play will be a question mark, especially early.
MERCER
Coach: Mike Williams, fourth season (24-51)
2002-03 record: 12-15, 7-1.
Returning letterwinners: Sean Berti (6-3, Sr., G); Jason Moon (6-2, Sr., F); Josh Haynie (6-0, Sr., G); Josh Elford (6-4, Sr., F); Tony Zigo (5-10, Jr., G); Seth Bolyard (6-8, Soph., F).
Newcomers: Brandon Ridgway (6-0, Jr., F); Jonah Creasy (5-11, Jr., G); Devin Wasser (6-1, Soph., G); Zach Wasser (6-1, Jr., F); R.D. Shardy (5-11, Jr., G).
Outlook: With six returning letterwinners, Mercer will look to repeat as MCAC champions and improve on last year's record. Mercer has good height and experience, but must work on its perimeter shooting.
MOHAWK
Coach: Jim Goske, second season (10-12).
2002-03: 10-12, 4-6.
Returning letterwinners: Jon Bruno (5-11, Sr., G); Kevin Byers (5-10, Sr., G); Shawn Carr (6-2, Sr., G); Shane Finnin (6-3, Sr., F); Dave Hodge (6-8, Sr., F/C); Josh Kwolek (5-11, Sr., G); Bryan Piccirillo (6-1, Sr., F/C); Jeremy Gebhart (6-1, Jr., F/C); Ron McKee (5-10, Jr., G); Gary Pezzuolo (6-3, Jr., G/F).
Newcomer: Josh Crum (5-11, Soph., G).
Outlook: Nine returning lettermen give Mohawk a nucleus on which to build. Shawn Carr returns after scoring 18 points per game last season. Goske will have to find a replacement for the graduated Chris Kwolek, who scored 19 points per game.
SHENANGO
Coach: Bill McNeese, 23rd year.
2002-03 record: 16-10.
Returning letterwinners: Terry Grossetti (6-4, Sr., G, 17 points, 7 rebounds); Steve McNeese (6-1, Soph., G, 14 points, 6 assists); Matt Norce (6-2, Sr., F, 8 points, 6 rebounds); Phil Thompson (5-11, Jr., F); Shawn DeJohn (6-2, Sr., G); Neal Goff (6-1, Sr., G).
Newcomer: Kyle Monceaux (6-3, Soph., F).
Outlook: The Wildcats lost seniors Dan Aven (G,11 points) and Matt Colella (G, 7 points) from last year's playoff team. McNeese says the Wildcats "are not big, but we are quick and can score. We should be in the thick of the section race."
-- Vindicator staff report