By JOSE NEGRON
With just two players returning from last summer’s roster, Union Cleaners head coach Kevin Kovach knows he has some work to do in this year’s Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League boys draft.
Kovach has the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft after his team went 0-10 in the league’s inaugural season.
While the former McKeesport coach isn’t particularly pleased with why he has the first pick, he’s eager to select first and begin rebuilding his team.
“We’ll definitely take advantage of it,” Kovach said. “There were one or two young kids that stood out that we would draft if given the opportunity. I’m interested to see how it all plays out.”
Kovach will have to deal with replacing a number of departed seniors, including Nate English, Logan Wright, Chas Mrlack, Luke Santo and Colton Kovach.
The two returning players are senior Ruben Miller of Beth-Center and sophomore Jeston Beatty from South Allegheny.
Kovach said his draft strategy will revolve around taking the best available players in the first few rounds. Then, as the roster begins to take shape, Kovach will look to fill specific needs.
“We have an opportunity to build this team the way we want to build it,” Kovach said, adding that finding a point guard will be atop his list of draft-day priorities.
“I want someone that calms everybody down, knows when to push it and when to not push it, and plays defense. I think I found a young one that we’re interested in, and then I know Ruben will give us defense and hustle.”
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