By JEREMY SELLEW
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The McKeesport boys return four starters this season, but the larger story for the Tigers is who isn’t there.
Deamontae Diggs has moved on to Youngstown State, leaving head coach Kevin Kovach looking for a way to replace 22 points and 12 rebounds per game.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Kovach said. “It’s going to be three guys I think that’s going to replace the scoring. More importantly, we need to make sure we’re accounting for the rebounds lost. I think we can do that.
“One night, though, it’ll be three guys accounting for the scoring. Other nights, it may be one guy or two, but we’re going to count on everyone to pick up the slack.”
One thing the Tigers return from last season’s 12-11 team is plenty of experience.
McKeesport has four returning senior starters who all have plenty of size and skill. Coming back are 6-3 point guard Brison Kisan, 6-3 forward Robert Robinson and 6-5 forward Colton Kovach.
Also returning is 6-6 forward Devin Lawrence, but he’s out for the season with injuries suffered in a car accident.
Also coming back to jump into the starting five is 6-6 sophomore Travarese Rowe.
“With the four starters back, we have a lot of leadership,” Kovach said. “I’ve coached Brison since he was in fourth grade and Rob since he’s been in seventh grade. Obviously, I’ve coached Colton his entire life. We’ve been grooming them for years and this is the year.”
The leadership on the floor will come from Kisan, the third-year coach said.
“He’s always the hardest worker and he’s been becoming more and more the vocal leader since his sophomore year,” Kovach said. “Whether it’s in the weight room, running drills hard, he’s just a natural leader. A total dream to coach.”
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