LA ROCHE COLLEGE
MEN'S BASKETBALL
SEASON OUTLOOK
The 2007–08 Redhawks enter the new season with a great deal of optimism. The Redhawks return 12 players from a year ago, which is the highest amount in the tenure of head coach Scott Lang, who is entering his 11 th season. The addition of four new faces also provides reason for hope. “We're thrilled to have a group like this returning,” said Lang. “With the addition of our new guys, I feel fortunate to be around a group of guys with this type of character.”
Seniors Rob Brisco and Carlton Falconer will asked to provide leadership for what is still a relatively young team. “Those are two high-character young men,” said Lang. “Each of those guys will be an example for the rest of our players. They're great workers and they do everything we ask.” The return of senior Nate Davis, who did not play last season, will also provide some maturity. “Nate is a special guy and a very good player,” Lang said. “We are very blessed to have him back.”
Three juniors return with a combined 110 starts among them. Point guard Josh Rulnick and guard/forwards Steve Lucas and Zack Kostorick enter their third season in a Redhawks uniform. Said Lang, “ Tough is first word you think of when any one of those three are mentioned. Each one has a great work ethic and plays with a toughness about them.”
Six sophomores return from last year's squad. Point guard Mike Williams is expected to improve upon a rookie season where he showed a lot of promise. David Culp has improved immensely and hopes to show flashes of brilliance more consistently. Wing players Josh Trocchio, Andy Tressler, Terrance Phillips and Dylan Grazier are all very skilled and have very good instincts for the game. “Our hopes for this particular group of sophomores is quite high,” Lang said. “If they will stay committed like they have been, when they leave here in four years they might be taking some incredible memories with them. Those six are a very special group.”
Four new faces round out the roster. Freshmen LaMorris Lowman, Bryant Burt, Chris Titterington and Nate Wojciechowski add size, athleticism and a skill level that is mature beyond their years. “Our new guys unquestionably need some polish, but they bring a lot to the table,” said Lang. “If they will be intense about learning, they will impact our program more quickly than most freshmen typically do.”
With a very deep roster, Lang feels like this group could have some success that many might not be expecting. “We have no long-term goals here,” Lang said. “We only concern ourselves with the responsibilities of today – whether it's academics, a tough practice, or a day of rest. Our dreams are big, but our focus is small. Our guys are committed to the right things. I have an awful lot of confidence in them.”
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.
As the head coach at La Roche, Lang has the highest winning percentage of all men's basketball coaches. He guided the Redhawks to the AMCC championship game is only his second season, and in 2004, the Redhawks won the first conference championship in the school's history. He has also led the Redhawks to two second place finishes in the regular season. Lang has recruited and coached three All-Americans, Damian Hall (2000) and Marcess Williams (2002) and Cliff Foster (2004). Lang also coached in the Erie Invitational in 1999 where he led a group of NBA free agents and college all-stars, including Ricky Price (Duke), Demetrius Alexander ( Alabama ) and Roderick Anderson ( Texas ) to a 7-0 record and the Invitational championship.
