Mt. Pleasant boys hoping to rebuild after tough season

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2017 | 5:33 PM

Up and down the Mt. Pleasant boys basketball lineup, coach Donnie Porter sees potential. Now if he can just get results.

Almost anything would be better for the Vikings than the miserable season of a year ago, when the team struggled to a 5-17 record despite featuring five seniors, four of whom were starters.

“It was a disappointing year,” said Porter, entering his fourth season. “We didn't play to our standards and ability.”

New year, new team now. Perhaps the Vikings can rebound.

“We're definitely in a rebuilding process,” Porter said. “We're under the radar, but we could surprise a lot of teams.”

He predicted a competitive balance of teams in Section 1-4A, labeling Valley and defending champion Indiana as “very good.”

The addition of Greensburg Central Catholic transfer Ryan Quinn could provide Mt. Pleasant with a proven leader if the 6-foot-2 senior guard can adjust to his new surroundings.

It doesn't figure to be an issue for the left-handed shooting Quinn, who played two seasons in a reserve role for WPIAL Class 2A GCC.

“He has experienced a lot of success at Central. That's going to go a long way in influencing our younger players here,” Porter said.

The Centurions combined for a record of 49-5 and made two PIAA playoff appearances during the period. They finished 25-2 in 2016-17 after being ousted in the quarterfinals.

With GCC in command of its opponent on most nights, Quinn was afforded plenty of meaningful minutes.

“Our starting lineup was unbelievable,” he said. “A lot of the older guys over there took me under their wing, and now I get to play that role with this team.

“I'm really honored to come here and do that. I want to get everyone involved; I'm not selfish. We're just going to have fun.”

Quinn is one of two seniors for Mt. Pleasant, whose roster is dominated by four juniors, four freshmen and five sophomores.

“We have very talented sophomore and freshman classes,” Porter said.

The youthful roster might explain why he has been reluctant to settle on an opening-day lineup.

Porter did, however, indicate Quinn, junior guard/forward Michael Secosky and sophomore guard Jacob Johnson likely would start Dec. 8 against host Laurel Highlands at a two-day tournament.

Johnson, who suffered a season-ending broken wrist last season, is Mt. Pleasant's lone returning starter.

“It's about getting the younger guys involved,” Quinn said. “I can see guys like (freshman guard/forward) Nathan Kubusky and (sophomore) Jacob Johnson stepping up.”

Dominic Giallonardo, a 6-2 junior forward, joins the team this season after a long and successful battle with the rare bone cancer Ewing's sarcoma.

“He's going to play,” Porter said.

“What I like about this team is the work ethic. The young kids are like sponges. We've got grinders. When you outwork your opponent, good things can happen.”

Dave Mackall is a freelance writer.

Tags: Mt. Pleasant