Bisignani returns to helm as GCC boys try to get back to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 22, 2018 | 6:03 PM

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The approach and motivation for Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball is like the gym floor on which the team will play this season: fresh and shiny, brand new and bright.

This is a team that looks new on the surface but is quite same-old underneath. And that includes the expectation of returning to the WPIAL playoffs after missing out for the first time in 17 years.

Last season is old wood.

“We want to turn things around,” senior guard Geoff Helm said. “We have the talent, and we’re like a family.”

Greg Bisignani is back in charge after he spent last season as an assistant to Jim Nesser, who left to coach at Yough after one year. Before that, Bisignani coached GCC for eight seasons and compiled a record of 187-32 with eight section titles (just four section losses), two WPIAL finals appearances and one PIAA title game appearance.

“I never played for Coach Bis,” Helm said. “I came in from Blairsville late in my sophomore year. I like his practices and the way he runs things. There is a different feeling here.”

GCC moves down to Class A, and Bisignani has the team feeling confident following a 6-15 season.

“We have better team chemistry,” senior forward Max Pisula said. “We feel like we can be ourselves more. We have some tough kids, and we’re going to be better.”

Five starters return in Helm, a Shippensburg recruit who averaged 17.5 points last season, Pisula, senior forward Ryan Bisignani, junior guard Tom Erdely and senior guard Joel LoNigro.

“A lot of these kids played for me as sophomores, so there isn’t a whole lot that is new,” Greg Bisignani said. “They all kind of came in knowing the expectation. When I walked into the gym, I wasn’t scrambling trying to learn the kids’ names. We have some potential but we have a lot of moving parts.”

Helm is a 6-foot-5 swingman who can get to the rim, rebound and defend. He and Pisula (6-3, 215) give the Centurions size and leadership. LoNigro also has shown a knack for scoring.

A deep-looking bench will feature junior guard Ben LaCarte, senior guard Jake Reihart and sophomore guard Dylan Sebek.

Helm and LoNigro are mainly basketball players, but athletes from other sports will look to provide minutes such as junior Nate Ward (soccer), senior Brando Ciccarelli (football) and junior Paul Rice (baseball).

GCC’s new section will include Clairton, Leechburg, Imani Christian, Propel Academy, St. Joseph and Trinity Christian.

“Class A, and these teams are all new to me,” coach Bisignani said. “Our kids are looking forward to the challenge.”

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.