Pittston Area lost three players who started most games a year ago, including its leading scorer and only coaches’ all-star selection.
With that quick synopsis, it would be easy to picture an inexperienced team, looking to find its way as the season approaches.
That, however, would not be an accurate assessment of the Patriots as they prepare to open the 2016-17 boys basketball season Friday night with a non-league game at Hanover Area.
“We lost three starters,” Pittston Area coach Alan Kiesinger said. “We lost guys. You would think we’d be wet behind the ears.
“But, yet, we have a lot of guys who not only started but got a lot of time.”
The Patriots had 14 underclassmen see varsity time a year ago when senior Jordan Black was a second-team division all-star and the team scoring leader.
The combination of a deep rotation, some lineup experimenting when the team struggled through the middle part of the schedule and players picking up time when an injury altered the lineup all add up to an experienced group coming back.
Pittston Area has six players – Alex McAndrew, Pat Mitchell, Matt McGlynn, Chris Klein, Mike Mazurkivich and Jimmy Pliska – who made at least one varsity start last season.
The Patriots also bring back sixth man Naseem Guillaume, who made the all-tournament team when the Patriots won the McGrane Tournament title, and Joe DeLucca, a key part of the rotation late in the 2014-15 season before taking last season off.
McAndrew, a junior, is back at point guard. He started much of his freshman season and most of last season until going out late with an injury.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-5 senior center, was the team’s fourth-leading scorer. He’s a force in the low post and a strong rebounder.
“I think his footwork is tremendous, especially for his size,” Kiesinger said.
McGlynn, a junior small forward and last season’s top 3-point shooter, and Kline, a senior guard, each started the second half of the season. Kline often plays as the off guard, but has experience handling the point as well.
Mazurkivich, another 6-5 senior, helps create the potential for a strong rebounding combination. He and Pliska each made a spot start last season.
The possibilities do not end there.
“I’ve never had this type of depth,” Kiesinger said.
Juniors Trevor Tigue, who played well in an emergency role in the season-ending playoff loss to West Scranton, and Keemar Woodruff add to the backcourt depth. Junior Kolton Zaffuto and freshman point guard Brennan Higgins could work their way into the mix.
Brian Miller, a junior, gives the Patriots another big man inside.
The many options leave Kiesinger with the possibility of creating combinations that emphasize rebounding, defensive quickness, size, 3-point shooting, ball-handling or other facets of the game, as needed.
“It didn’t take long to figure out that we could play a lot of different ways with this team,” Kiesinger said.
There will be competition for playing time.
“I addressed it with our guys,” Kiesinger said. “We have to focus on being good teammates.
“Some nights, you’re not going to get the time you would normally get because we have other guys who may be performing that night or we may have to play a particular style that night in order to give us a chance to win.
“It’s going to be interesting to see where we’re at as far as the team concept is concerned. It’s going to be a big-time learning experience for a lot of guys with how things may play out.”
The Patriots went 3-11 to finish seventh of eight teams in Division 1 of the Wyoming Valley Conference last season. The team finished on a positive note, upsetting fourth-seeded Crestwood, 42-39, as the 13th seed in the District 2 Class 3A first round before losing to eventual state qualifier West Scranton, 50-40, in the quarterfinals.
Following the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s switch from six to eight classes, the WVC, also realigned.
Division 1 now consists of just six teams with Pittston Area joining Crestwood, Coughlin, Wyoming Valley West, Dallas and clear favorite Hazleton Area.
The WVC schedule for the Patriots will include two games within the division and one each against Division 2 teams. Former Division 1 rivals Berwick and Tunkhannock will be part of Division 2 with Wyoming Area, GAR, Meyers and Nanticoke.
“I think the league schedule is just brutal,” Kiesinger said.
The WVC schedule opens Dec. 22 with a home game against Crestwood.