With more players joining Ty Keffer in scoring column, Southmoreland boys ready to rock

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, December 21, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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There are times when Ty Keffer feels like he’s playing the drums instead of lead guitar for the Southmoreland basketball team.

But that is OK because the Scotties still rock.

“I knew from summer league we had other guys who could score,” said Keffer, a senior guard with more than 1,200 career points. “When we played Mt. Pleasant last year, I wasn’t there and they knew they had to step up for us.”

The Scotties’ front man has found a rhythm with several teammates, and the result is a 6-0 start.

“As a group, we’re getting a lot more help,” coach Frank Muccino said. “Before it was, ‘Get the ball to Ty. You do it.’ But every night it’s been a different guy. Instead of Ty and everyone else, we have guys scoring 14 or 15 points instead of four or six.”

Through five games, the Scotties were averaging 69 points and giving up 43.8.

Keffer was still the top scorer at 23 points a game, but sophomore Noah Felentzer (14 ppg), senior Wyatt Richter (11 ppg) and senior Ronnie Collins (10 ppg) also were scoring in double figures.

“We expected to be good; we’re a senior-laden team,” Muccino said. “We have seven seniors. A lot of these guys were pushed into the lineup when they were freshmen. There are kids who have matured into their role.”

Class 4A Southmoreland earned an impressive win over Yough, one of the better 3A teams, 68-62, which was by far its closest game.

“We’re seeing more gimmicks at times, but we’ve done a good job handling that,” Muccino said. “With more guys involved, it’s making it harder for teams to defend us.”

Playing a fast-paced style that runs on feel but is tempered with defensive stops, Southmoreland is a fun team to watch.

“There is more confidence in our guys,” Keffer said. “I know people can score more. I see the confidence in their faces. They’re not scared.”

Muccino said the pace is rapid and has to be dialed back at times so the team doesn’t forget to defend.

“We let them go, free and easy,” he said. “We want to push the ball and use our defense to score points. Not a playground game. We need to play defense.”

The first team has been so good, Keffer has been relegated to playing with the second team in practice, where he mimics the opponents’ top player.

“It helps make people better,” he said.

The Scotties are building toward a tough section schedule that includes home and away matchups with Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands and Albert Gallatin.

“No bad teams, no cupcakes,” Muccino said. “I think 4A is the best of the six classes. But that’s to be seen.”

A new custom has given the Scotties a greater appreciation of detail.

“We watch film a couple days a week now,” Keffer said. “It shows us what we can improve on. We didn’t do that last year.

“We want to get back to the playoffs. If we see what we need to fix, we can do that.”

A late-season win by Elizabeth Forward over Belle Vernon last year helped knock Southmoreland out of the playoff picture despite a 13-9 record (3-7 in section).

“There is still a bad taste because of that,” Muccino said.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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