Joey Macciocco went from minimal playing time as a sophomore to second-team Class 2A all-state recognition from Pennsylvania Sports Writers as a junior.
Now, the 6-foot-2 senior combo guard is back to lead an Old Forge boys basketball team that advanced all the way to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 2A state semifinals each of the past two seasons.
Macciocco averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game last season.
Matt Kuckla, 5-11 senior forward, and Anthony Mucciolo, a 5-9 junior point guard, are also back for second-year coach J.J. Thomas.
“We expect to be right there with the top teams in our division and the district,” Thomas said. “We return three starters and our top players have dedicated themselves to basketball and improving their respective games.
“We have had a great two-year run in the state playoffs and this group is looking to add to that legacy.”
Kuckla averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. Mucciolo contributed 4.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game last season.
Anthony Cole, a 5-11 senior forward, also has some starting experience from early last season while Tyler Pepsin, a 5-8 guard, is back with the team after missing last season with a broken leg.
Pepsin was projected as the starting point guard for last season before suffering the injury in the 2021 soccer season.
The Blue Devils lack height, but have three junior forwards who could help off the bench, 6-1 Dominick Palma, 5-11 Joey Granko and 6-2 Connor Oshinski.
Palma was the top scorer on the JV team last season and also saw some varsity playing time.
Holy Cross figures to be the team the Blue Devils will need to get past while trying to contend for titles in Lackawanna League Division 3 and District 2 Class 2A.
