Coming off of back-to-back-20-win seasons and returning four starters and seven of the team's top-eight contributors from a year ago, the 2022-23 season looks like another strong one for Head Coach Bob Rukavina (35^th season) and his Pitt-Johnstown men's basketball team.
 
The Mountain Cats, who finished third in the brutal PSAC Western Division and secured their seventh straight berth in the PSAC Tournament and third consecutive appearance in the PSAC Quarterfinals, will be led by National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-American and three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Defensive Player of the Year John Paul Kromka.  The senior forward dominated the NCAA Atlantic Region and led the Mountain Cats in scoring (17.5 ppg.), rebounding (8.1 rpg.), and blocks (3.0 bpg.).  Kromka also dished out three assists per game.
 
Along with Kromka, a three-time All-PSAC West selection, the paint will be anchored by senior guard/forward hybrid Jared Jakubick and senior forward Caiden Landis.  Jakubick, who burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter, averaged 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per games, while routinely guarding the opponent's top player.  Landis (4.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg.) comes into 2022-23 fully healthy after injuries slowed him down most of last season and will provide another experienced big man in the paint.
 
Coach Rukavina will also look to sophomore Grant Timmerson (1.7 ppg., 1.0 rpg.) and true freshman forward Nick Watts to provide even more depth inside.  Timmerson, who is also returning from injuries, improved greatly as last season progressed and will be a solid back-up, while Watts, with his strong inside-outside skillset, can score in a variety of ways, as he demonstrated throughout the preseason.
 
The Mountain Cats will have a new point guard in red-shirt freshman Andrew Shull, a transfer from NAIA Rio Grande (OH) University, where he averaged 14.0 ppg. and 3.0 apg. on his way to earning all-conference honors as a true freshman.
 
Joining Shull in an experience and talented backcourt is senior Joe Batt, the team's second leading scorer at 11.6 ppg., and sophomore sensation Ryan Smith, who nearly averaged double figures in scoring (9.2 ppg.) in his rookie campaign.
 
Senior sharp-shooter Drew Magestro (9.1 ppg., 2.8 rpg.) will compete for major playing time.  Magestro, who sits just outside the top-10 on Pitt-Johnstown's All-Time 3-Pointers List, started multiple games in 2021-22 and will continue to wreak havoc on opponents with his deadly jump shot.
 
COVID sophomore Andy Zuchelli (3.9 ppg., 1.2 rpg.) is coming off of a very strong preseason.  Zuchelli's ability to stretch the floor, while also score off the dribble, should result in increased playing time for the local standout from North Star High School.
 
Coach Rukavina is also excited about versatile freshman wing/forward Will Kromka, the younger brother of All-Region performer John Paul Kromka.  With his athleticism and ability to play multiple positions, Will Kromka's minutes are expected to increase as the team battles through the grueling PSAC schedule.
 
Senior guard Jacob Shuagis and junior Daunte Allegretto have been with the program the past four years and have established themselves as leaders on the floor and in the locker room.
 
Elijah Sechler and Tyler Bilinsky are coming off of red-shirt years and will give Pitt-Johnstown added depth at the point guard and off-guard spots.
 
Forward Colin Cote is expected to take a medical red-shirt in 2022-23.  Cote is a dependable outside shooter and stretch forward, but his experience in the paint will be missed.
 
The Mountain Cats will open an extremely difficult schedule in the Sports Center with the Pitt-Johnstown Tip-Off Classic on November 11-12, then travel to national powers No. 8 West Liberty (WV) University, Lynn (FL) University, and No. 4 Nova Southeastern (FL) University.  Six straight PSAC Crossover games begin on December 2 at Bloomsburg University, and PSAC West action starts when Gannon University visits the Sports Center on January 7.