Westmoreland basketball teams face roster shifts

Westmoreland County college basketball teams begin the 2026-27 season with significant roster changes and new leadership.

Seton Hill men’s basketball enters the year under head coach Ben Wilkins for his fifth season. The Griffins finished the 2025-26 campaign with an 18-13 record and reached the PSAC semifinals for the first time in program history. The team now faces heavy turnover as three key scorers moved to Division I schools. Kedrick Curtis, who averaged 16.5 points per game last season, transferred to Sacred Heart. Edir Ortiz, who scored 14.9 points per game, joined Purdue Fort Wayne. Rashaad Williams, who averaged 13.4 points per game, is playing for Georgia Southern. Dimitrios Sklavenitis also entered the transfer portal after averaging 11.1 points per game. PSAC West coaches ranked the Griffins fifth in the preseason poll.

Pitt-Greensburg men’s basketball returns with Chris Klimchock in his sixth year as head coach. The 2025-26 squad set a program record with 22 wins and finished second in the AMCC with a 13-3 conference mark. The team lost its top four scorers and seven seniors. Ty Keffer is the top returning player as a junior guard and forward from Southmoreland. Juniors Jahmir Collins and Tyler Freas are expected to play larger roles in the backcourt. Freshmen guards Noah Blue and Troy Bielak are new additions to the roster.

Saint Vincent men’s basketball is in its 21st season under D.P. Harris. The Bearcats went 16-10 last year and finished fourth in the PAC South. They lost in the first round of the PAC Tournament to Westminster. Two former players signed professional contracts to play overseas: Mike Iuzzolino and Jaden Gales. Harris has compiled 372 wins at Saint Vincent. The team has not had a losing record since the 2008-09 season. Terek Crosby, Maxwell Gordon, and Jaden Payne are key returning players.

Westmoreland County Community College men’s basketball is in its fourth season under Scott Morrison. The Wolfpack went 6-17 last year and finished 1-11 in the conference. The team must replace Julian Thompson, who played his final season at age 32. Thompson was among the top rebounders in the nation. Tyler Anthony and Tommy Davis are top returning players. Josiah McKoy is a transfer from Penn State Fayette.

Seton Hill women’s basketball begins its season with new head coach Nick Volchok. He takes over for Maeve Gallagher, who resigned after three seasons and a 60-31 record. The Griffins went 22-9 last year and reached the PSAC semifinals for the first time. They also qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament. The team must replace its top three scorers. Shaye Bailey is a top returning guard. Hailee Ford is the top returning scorer with 13.1 points per game. Monique Vincent and transfer Kendall Berger are also on the roster.

Pitt-Greensburg women’s basketball starts its season with Rick Klimchock as head coach. He is a former high school coach in Westmoreland County with more than 400 wins. The team went 1-24 last year after injuries limited its roster. Jocelyn Bielak led the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game. Tianna Moracco returns after playing only five games last season due to injury. Addison Musto is also returning. Saint Vincent women’s basketball is in its second season under Kam Gissendanner. The Bearcats won the PAC regular-season title with a 21-7 record. They lost to Washington & Jefferson to miss the NCAA Division III Tournament. Brooke Evans is the top returning scorer with a 7.9-point average. Danielle Pontius averaged 7.6 points and Olivia Yancy averaged 7.4 points.

Westmoreland County Community College women’s basketball returns to play after a two-year hiatus. The team went 0-16 last year. Olivia Aumer and Madison Marinchak are top returning players, both averaging 8 points per game. Freshmen Abby Genes, Rachel Marcej, and Mya Heasley are new additions to the roster.