Plenty of excitement around WCCC men's basketball program

Despite losing the team's leading scorer from the 2012-13 season, Westmoreland County Community College men's basketball coach Andrew Colosimo is excited about the new season.

Colosimo said one of the school's best recruiting classes and the return of Jordan Ruggiero (Hempfield) and Terrance McCoy (Brownsville) are reasons to be excited.

"I'm excited," Colosimo said. "We've got a great group of players who are knowledgeable about the game, and we've strengthened the schedule."

One big loss the team is dealing with is the graduation of leading scorer Andy Carter, who averaged 27 points per game.

WCCC was off to a good start in 2012-13, but a couple starters were forced to leave the team before the second semester.

"It's something you learn to deal with," Colosimo said.

WCCC has powerful Lakeland Community College, Allegany County of Maryland, Montgomery College of Maryland and Lorain County Community College on the schedule. They also are playing in the Jamestown, N.Y. Tournament.

"We picked up some good teams that will test us early," said Colosimo, in his fifth season. "We're going to have a lot of players competing for jobs."

Zack Smith (Ringgold), who played at Penn State Greater Allegheny in 2012-13, transferred in. While some of the top freshmen are Nick Idele (Norwin), Tyler Swan (Greensburg Central Catholic), Tyler Dickey (Derry) and Davon Jones (Salisbury, Md.), Isaiah Dawson (Laurel Highlands) will join the team after the fall semester.

Westmoreland County Community College opens the season Nov. 2 at Pitt-Titusville.

The Wolfpack will host a Tip-Off tournament on Nov. 8 and will play Niagara Community College.