PITTSBURGH, PA - The La Roche's men's and women's basketball teams have both been selected as the favorites to win the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) this season, as announced in the preseason coaches' polls released Tuesday.
The men are coming off the program's first undefeated regular season after going 18-0 in conference play in 2018-19. Last season, the Redhawks averaged 79.6 PPG (1st in AMCC), 46.4 FG% (2nd in AMCC), 40.7 RPG (2nd in AMCC), 15.7 APG (3rd in AMCC) & 13.1 turnovers/game (3rd fewest in AMCC). Despite a perfect record in regular season AMCC play, La Roche MBB fell short of the tournament title after Penn St. Behrend defeated the Redhawks 67-65 in the championship game on Feb. 24th, 2019. La Roche won the conference tournament in 2018 under three-time AMCC Coach of the Year, Hermie Carmichael (2019, 2018 & 2016).
Junior forward Tyler Frederick (Butler, PA/Butler) was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Frederick is coming off of a stellar sophomore campaign in 2018-19. The 1st team All-Conference forward averaged a double-double with 14.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG in 27 games last season. He is the only returning player in the conference to average a double-double a year ago. Frederick was also one of the most efficient scorers in the conference shooting 53.3% from the field. On the defensive side of the ball, Frederick averaged 1.3 blocks per game.
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
- La Roche University
- Mount Aloysius College
- Penn State Behrend
- Franciscan University
- Medaille College
- Hilbert College
- Pitt-Greensburg
- Penn State Altoona
- D'Youville College
- Alfred State College
- Pitt-Bradford
Complete AMCC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
The women also won the regular season conference title last season after going 15-3 in AMCC action. Last season, the Redhawks averaged 68.4 PPG (3rd in AMCC), 42.3% FG (1st in AMCC), 16.4 APG (1st in AMCC), 10.9 steals/game (1st in AMCC), & 16.4 turnovers/game (3rd fewest in AMCC). Despite a first place regular season finish, La Roche WBB lost in the semi-final of last year's conference tournament to Penn St. Altoona 73-64. The Redhawks last conference title win was in 2017 under head coach Kam Gissendanner.
Reigning AMCC Player of the Year, La Roche senior forward Jenna Cole (North Huntington, PA / Norwin), has been selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. Last season, Cole was an offensive force for the Redhawks. In 25 games, she averaged 20.1 points per game and 4.2 free throws per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field and 83.3% at the free-throw line. Cole scored in double figures in all 25 games last season. She also averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds per game and 7.2 total rebounds per game. Cole's performances last season helped the Redhawks win their eighth regular season title in nine years.
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
- La Roche University
- Hilbert College
- Penn State Behrend
- Penn State Altoona
- Pitt-Bradford
- Medaille College
- D'Youville College
- Pitt-Greensburg
- Mount Aloysius College
- Franciscan University
- Alfred State College