LA ROCHE COLLEGE
MEN'S BASKETBALL 2008-09 SEASON OUTLOOK
Scott Lang enters his 12 th season as La Roche College head coach with hopes that it will be a memorable one. In the 10-team AMCC, the Redhawks finished 3 rd a year ago and have many faces returning. With the addition of four talented freshmen, La Roche was picked 2 nd in the pre-season poll by the AMCC coaches.
"That poll and 99 cents will get you a cup of coffee," Lang said. "That thing has never been right. We were picked 8 th last year and finished 3rd. Believe me, our guys know that can happen in reverse too."
The Redhawks will be counting on three seniors to lead the way. Point guard Josh Rulnick and wings Steve Lucas and Zack Kostorick have been major contributors in their first three seasons and Lang expects nothing to change. "Those three have been through a lot here," Lang said. "All three are 'Hard-Hat' type of guys. They are very special to our program." Rulnick led the AMCC in 3-point percentage as a freshman, Lucas has long been known to be an excellent defender and Kostorick was 2 nd Team All-AMCC last season.
A large class of juniors returns as well. Mike Williams, Andy Tressler, Dylan Grazier, David Culp and Chris Titterington provide a wide range of talents. Williams, a point guard, is a great on-ball defender. Tressler is an excellent role player who can multiple positions on offense and defense. Grazier is an excellent shooter and was named 1 st Team All-AMCC last season. Titterington is much improved from a year ago, and Culp is a post player who will be counted on heavily. "Those five are a tremendous group," said Lang. "They really want to do well and they have the work ethic to show for it. I'm excited that they continue to improve from year to year." Junior Chris DeCrane also returns this year after taking a year a way from basketball. "Chris is hard-nosed guy with a great work ethic," Lang said. "He embodied the character of our program."
The lone sophomore is Nate Wojciechowski. After playing point guard a year ago, 'Wojo' has moved to a guard/forward spot. Said Lang, "Nate is an extremely valuable player for us. His versatility makes him very unique."
Four new faces round out the Redhawks roster. Joel McIntosh, Mike Dixon, Lezley Parrish and Reece Mabery infuse the Redhawks with athleticism and enthusiasm. McIntosh is a big, strong post player, Dixon is tough-minded and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, Parrish is very long and can play four positions and Mabery has exceptional talents with the ball. "It's a very talented group of guys, but they have a lot of growing to do," Lang said. "The next four years will be a lot of fun for them if they continue to work."
Overall, Lang is very excited to coach this group and believes that a successful season is a possibility. "If we're blessed with great health throughout the year, I have a lot of confidence in this group," Lang said. "We have our shortcomings, no question, but we have a lot of experience and a group of guys with great character. We'll set our goals and then begin the hard part - the act of working toward them. Ultimately, that will determine our fate."
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.
