Head Coach Bob Rukavina and the Pitt-Johnstown men's basketball program have added  six recruits, five of whom are All-State selections for the 2018-19 season, including Ohio's 2017 Division 4 Player of the Year Jared Jakubick and local standout Matt Holsinger from Central Cambria High School.
 
         "This will be the youngest team we've had since my tenure began 30 years ago," Coach Rukavina said.  "With six true freshman, and a red-shirt in Darrell Brock, it will certainly be an exciting experience, as we believe we signed six really talented kids. We are definitely anxious to get them on campus and watch their development over the next four years."
 

Joe Batt     Guard     6'3"     180 lbs.     Greenville, Pa. / Greenville High School         Coached by his father Mark, Joe Batt led Greenville High School to a pair district championships and a place in the PIAA AAA State Quarterfinals in 2018 on his way to being named First-Team Pennsylvania AAA All-State.  Batt, a two-time District 10 Player of the Year, scored 1,709 points and ended his career averaging 20.9 points 6.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.  An All-Region performer in each of his four seasons at Greenville, Batt also played in the Roundball Classic All-Star Game following his senior season.
         "When you watch Joe play, you immediately notice his poise and toughness," Coach Rukavina said.  "That was evident as he played throughout the PIAA State tournament with a torn labrum. You take those intangibles, combine them with his versatility and skill set, and you get one heck of a player.  And that's absolutely Joe."
         Batt was coached by his father, Mark Batt, at Greenville High School.  He is the son of Mark and Lisa Batt of Greenville, Pa.
         Batt's major is undecided.
 

Matt Holsinger     Forward     6'6"     225 lbs.    Ebensburg, Pa. / Central Cambria High School         A local recruit and two-time Pennsylvania All-State Selection, Matt Holsinger led Central Cambria High School to a District 6 championship and a place in the PIAA State Quarterfinals after averaging 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.   One of the most accomplished athletes in Central Cambria history, Holsinger etched his name in the record books by becoming the school's first player to register 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.  He concluded his senior season by being named Altoona Mirror Player of The Year and earned the Most Valuable Player honors at the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat/Ameriserv All-Star played in the Sports Center.
         In addition to being a standout basketball player, Holsinger excelled in track and field in high school and broke the Central Cambria record in the triple jump this year with a jump at 41' 10".  Holsinger also stands in sixth-place on the school's long jump record list.
        "We knew about Matt for a long time and we're thrilled to be able to keep him close to home for the next four years as he will be a great addition to our roster" Coach Rukavina said.  "He is a strong inside presence who has developed the ability to step out to the 3 point line and knock it down."
         Holsinger was coached by Adam Stephan and his father, Dave Holsinger, at Central Cambria High School.  He is the son of Dave and Kim Holsinger of Ebensburg, Pa.
         Holsinger plans to major in Business  at Pitt-Johnstown.
 

Jared Jakubick     Guard     6'4"     190 lbs.     Mansfield, Ohio / Mansfield-St. Peter's High School         Jared Jakubick, the 2017 Ohio Division 4 State Player of the Year, led Mansfield-St. Peter's High School to the Ohio State Quarterfinals and a 26-1 overall record.  The do-it-all guard averaged 24.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.  He was named Ohio First-Team All-State and was selected to play in the Ohio State All-Star Game.
         Jakubick ended his high school career with totals of 1,745 points, 608 rebounds, and 383 assists.
         "The best word to describe Jared is efficient," Coach Rukavina said.  "He shot over 60% from the field and 55% from 3-point range during his senior year, which is very impressive for a guard. You can also tell that he is a coach's son.  He is always in control when he's on the court. We can't wait to get him into the gym and start his Mountain Cat career."
         Jakubick was coached by his father, Joe Jakubick, at Mansfield-St. Peter's High School.  He is the son of Joe and Anne of Mansfield, OH.
         Jakubick plans to major in Business at Pitt-Johnstown.
 

John Paul Kromka   Forward    6'6"    210 lbs.    Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway High School
        John Paul Kromka, an All-WPIAL 5A Fab 5 selection in 2017-18, comes to Pitt Johnstown from Gateway High School.  Kromka, a three-time All-Section performer in high school, led Gateway to a section championship in 2016-17.  His career average of 14.0 points per game propelled him to over 1,000 points for his career.  Kromka also averaged 13.0 rebounds and six blocks per game as a senior and was chosen to play in the Roundball Classic All-Star Game.
         "John Paul comes from a big basketball family," Coach Rukavina said.  "Many of his older siblings went on to play in college, including Mike, who starred at Clarion University not long ago.  J.P. is following in his older brothers' footsteps as he is a skill forward who is capable of playing inside and out.  He is also a tremendous passer, which will definitely fit in nicely with how we want to play on the court."
         Kromka was coached by Daryn Freedman at Gateway High School.  He is the son of Mike and Suzanne Kromka of Monroeville, Pa.
         Kromka plans to major in Engineering at Pitt-Johnstown.
 

Caiden Landis     Forward     6'7"     200 lbs.     Logan, Ohio / Logan High School         An Ohio Honorable Mention All-State selection in both basketball and soccer at Logan High School, Caiden Landis was also a Two-time All District 13 performer in Ohio.  Landis averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, while shooting close to 60% from the field.  Not only Landis a standout in athletics, he was also recognized for his success in the classroom as an Ohio Division 1 All-Academic Team selection in 2018.
         "Caiden was the first recruit we signed," Coach Rukavina said.  "We first saw him down at the Pitt Jam Fest and knew right away that he was what we were looking for.  It was evident that he had a lot of skill, but what stood out to us was his high motor and ability to run the floor."
        In addition, Landis was a First-Team All-State and All-Midwest Region in soccer.
        Landis was coached by Chris Rider and his Father, Gregg Landis, at Logan High School.  He is the son of Gregg and Jeannine Landis of Logan, Ohio.
        Landis plans to major in Engineering at Pitt-Johnstown.
 

Fred Mulbah     Guard     5'9"     175 lbs.     Manchester, PA / Northeastern High School         Fred Mulbah, a talented point guard from Northeastern High School, was named the 2017-18 District 3 Most Valuable Player and was selected to the PIAA AAAAA All-State Team in both 2016-17 and 2017-18.  Mulbah brings a winning mentality to the Mountain Cat program after securing the York/Adams Interscholastic Athletic Conference (YAIAA) Championship the past two seasons and leading his team to an overall record of 102-16.  Mulbah had a career average of 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 3 steals per game.  He scored 1,269 career points.
         "After watching his highlight film, you can see that Fred is an athlete," Coach Rukavina said.  "But the best part of Fred's game is his ability to make the players around him better.  He has a knack for finding guys for easy layups and open shots.  I think he will be one of the best passing point guards we've ever had here at Pitt Johnstown."
         Mulbah was coached by Jon Eyster at Northeastern High School.  He is the son of Fred and Caroline Mulbah of Manchester, PA.
         Mulbah plans to major in Business at Pitt-Johnstown.
 
            Pitt-Johnstown will tip-off the 2017-18 season with a pair of games at the Indiana University (PA) Tip-Off Tournament on November 9-10, before hosting a non-conference game against Penn State-Fayette on November 17 in the Sports Center.