Men’s Basketball Hosts Central Penn in Season Opener
Rematch of last year’s USCAA Division II National Championship Semifinal
November 1, 2017
Penn State York Men's Basketball opens the season at home Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. against local non-conference rival Central Penn College. The two teams will meet at least twice this season, as they have in recent years, with the return game at Central Penn on December 19.
Last year, Central Penn took both regular season games: first an early season blowout win in Summerdale, then a memorable 125–122 triple-overtime victory in York. York would get its revenge when it counted however, in an 82–71 win in the USCAA Division II National Championship Semifinal Game. York would go on to lose the National Championship Game in an overtime nail-biter, 80–76 to Berkeley College, winners of 53 straight games and three straight national championships.
Penn State York finished the 2016–17 season with a 15–1 record in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) (19–7 overall) and had the top seed going into the conference tournament, which was held in the newly renovated Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center on the Penn State York campus.
Penn State York returned to the conference championship game, but was unable to make it four championships in five years, ultimately losing to Penn State Greater Allegheny, 60–58. York previously won the PSUAC championship in the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15 seasons. Head Coach Parrish Petry was named PSUAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year last season for the third time, also winning in 2012–13 and 2014–15.
Coach Petry returns a couple of key upperclassmen while needing to find some production from newcomers to fill the holes created by graduation and transfers. Gone are leading scorer Trent Thomas (22.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game) and point guard Lucas Jewell (10.2 points, 7.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game). At the conclusion of the season, Thomas was named a first team USCAA All-American, and also received first team All-PSUAC and USCAA National Championships All-Tournament honors. Jewell was named a second team USCAA All-American, and also received second team All-PSUAC honors.
Returning starters from last season include junior Richard Grant (York, Pennsylvania / Susquehannock High School), who was named to the USCAA National Championship All-Tournament team and who averaged 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and sophomore Justin Luton (Baltimore, Maryland / New Town High School), who 5.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Following the game against Central Penn, Penn State York will travel to Penn State Mont Alto for two weekend games in the John Benchoff Tournament, including a rematch with Williamson College of the Trades, which York defeated 66–65 in the first round of the 2017 USCAA National Championship Tournament.
On Tuesday, Penn State York Women's Basketball takes on Central Penn at 6 p.m., two hours before the men tip off. All home games are played in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center gym, and are free and open to the public.
