McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (0-0, 0-0) is looking to make it four straight trips to the Penn State University Athletic Conference playoffs and a third straight bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament in 2018-2019. They start off the long season with a matchup against Butler County Community College in their season opener on Friday at 8 p.m.
PSUGA brings back a lot of stars from last seasons team who are looking to avenge their PSUAC postseason loss and get another PSUAC Championship ring under their belts. Among the returners are seniors Jordon Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport HS) and George Prota (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) and juniors Makis Rivera (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) and Kenny Rouse (Duqeusne, PA./West Mifflin).
Payne had a career year in 2017-2018 leading the team averaging 19.9 points per game and shooting just over 42% at the free throw line. Payne finished as the top three-point shooter in all of the PSUAC and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in his PSUGA career during the season. He was rewarded for his efforts by being name both a 1st-Team PSUAC All-Conference player and a 1st-Team USCAA All-American.
Helping Payne out on the offensive side of the ball was Rouse, who was in his first year with PSUGA after transferring from PSU-New Kensington. Rouse was one of the best players coming off of the bench for PSUGA averaging 10.9 points per game to lead all PSUGA bench players. He stepped into more of a starting role at the end of the 2017-2018 season and looks to continue that into this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, Prota finished second on the team averaging 6.5 rebounds per game behind former lion and current student assistant Curtis Newby. Prota missed some time due to injury last season, but still managed to grab 197 rebounds. He is back and healthy this season and is ready to contribute in a big way.
Rivera was also in his first year with PSUGA after transferring from PSU-Beaver in 2017-2018. After a quieter start to the season, Rivera turned it on and became one of the starting five at the end of the season. He averaged 4.9 rebounds per game during the season as well as 6.6 points per game off the bench. Rivera has been one of the most consistent players on the team throughout last season and will look to provide stability once again this season.
One of the newcomers to the 2018-2019 team who is looking to make an impact is New Ken transfer Antonio Hill (West Mifflin, PA./West Mifflin HS). Hill gives fifth-year head coach Tyler Care another big man to play with. He averaged 13.1 points per game last season and 7.7 rebounds per game and played well in the team’s scrimmages this season.
Butler County Community College comes into Fridays matchup looking to improve after going just 4-24 a season ago. They suffered a 103-96 loss to CCAC-Boyce to finish their 2017-2018 season and are looking at guys like Jace and Joel Stutz to help them get back on track this season.
PSUGA has had the upper hand over Butler County CC in the all-time matchup with a record of 3-0 against the Pioneers. Last season, they opened the year with a 106-76 win that saw Payne lead the team with 18 points while four other PSUGA players also finished in double digits on the day.
Tip-off for Friday’s game will follow the PSUGA women’s basketball team’s game at around 8 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. before the women’s game and you can watch a live stream of both events at bit.ly/PSUGAYT.
