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MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON OUTLOOK

The Redhawks enter the 2009–2010 season with much anticipation.  Head coach Scott Lang is excited for six Seniors having the opportunity to compete for a conference championship, and equally excited about a large group of newcomers being introduced to the program.  “This is a great mix of guys,” said Lang.  “We have the best of both worlds – enough experienced guys to compete, and a large group of new faces that we can begin watch grow.”

Seniors David Culp, Mike Williams, Dylan Grazier have a combined 145 starts under their belt, and Andy Tressler has been a significant role player since the end of his freshman year.  “Those four bring a wealth of experience,” Lang said.  “We’ll need them to play like seniors in order for us to compete.  I have a lot of trust and faith in those four guys.  They’ve been a great group to coach.  As proud of them as I am for how they’ve grown as players, I cannot even begin to express what I think of them as people.  Truly, they are a special group.”

Two more seniors, Chris Titterington and Chris DeCrane, both entering their third seasons have improved greatly.  “Chris and Chris have both improved so much over the last three years,” said Lang.  “What they have lacked in talent, they’ve made up for by working hard and learning.  They know what’s going on here and they have become very dependable guys.  I’m proud of their commitment.

Junior Nate Wojciechowski and sophomore Mike Dixon will also be expected to play major roles on this year’s squad.  “Those two are excellent athletes and very versatile.  We’re going to ask them to do just about everything for us on both ends of the floor,” said Lang.

Eight newcomers round out the roster.  The second junior college player in program’s history is junior Laron Mann.  He’s a combo guard who can play either guard spot equally well.  He is joined by a group of seven freshmen who bring a variety of backgrounds and skills.  Marshall Wood is an athletic wing from Montgomery, West Virginia.  Blair Williams is from Youngstown, Ohio, he brings quickness and a good skill level to the point guard spot.  Dior Johnson is from Camden, New Jersey and can play four positions.  Derek Barber Richards is from Washington DC and is an excellent shooter. He is joined by high school teammate Daron Tabron, who is a good athlete and very quick to learn.  Another set of high school teammates to join the Redhawks are Ron Flowers and Nick Dizon, both from Woodland Hills High School.  Flowers is a skilled guard with good scoring ability and Dizon adds toughness and athleticism. 

“We try hard not to look past even one day, but if our seven freshmen stay together for all four years they will have some really special memories,” Lang said.  “I’d love to see that come to fruition, just like our current group of seniors.”

About the Coach...

Scott Lang is entering his 10th season as head coach of the Redhawks. Prior to becoming the head coach, Lang served four years as an assistant here at La Roche under Matt Driscoll, who is now the Associate Head Coach at Baylor University . Lang took over the program in the spring of 1997 at age 27, making him one of the youngest head coaches in the country.

In his playing days, Lang was named to the Post-Gazette North Fabulous Five (1988) and was also a three-time all-section performer at Mars High School . He began his collegiate career at Butler County Community College where he became the all-time assists leader and free throw percentage leader. He led the Pioneers to the WPCC Championship game both seasons where they eventually lost to national champion CCAC. Lang concluding his playing career at Clarion University , earning a scholarship and enjoying two seasons of 19 and 16 wins respectively.