With top scorer Terek Crosby leading charge, Yough boys pumped up to have strong season

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, November 27, 2023 | 2:45 PM

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The last whistle of an early afternoon practice gives way to the clang of weights as Yough boys basketball players continue their preseason training.

Yough was strong last season. The team is even stronger now, literally.

“These kids are working really hard,” coach Jim Nesser said, scouring a crowded weight room outside of the Yough gymnasium, the smell of the rubber floor in the air. “We have 13 kids, and all 13 have been here all year long. If you don’t want to work, you can’t play basketball at Yough.”

Bulked up and square-jawed, the Cougars could be in for a fun year. After finishing 17-10, posting its first section title and WPIAL playoff win since 2005 and qualifying for the PIAA postseason, Yough is primed for an encore with talented senior Terek Crosby leading the way.

The 6-foot-3 guard should be one of the top scorers in the WPIAL. He averaged 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists last year and has 1,440 career points.

“Honestly, it’s more about winning,” Crosby said, “and getting teammates open shots.”

Crosby is on pace to become the first Westmoreland County player since Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette to score 2,000 career points. Nesser also coached Pryor.

Ben McCauley is Yough’s all-time leading scorer with 2,283 points.

“The expectations are higher than last year,” Crosby said. “We want to keep progressing. I am trying help our younger guys. We need them to help us win games.”

Crosby will be part of a 1-2 tandem that also includes senior 6-5 forward Austin Matthews, who has the potential to churn out double-doubles.

Both players are fourth-year starters, and senior point guard Zander Aird will start for a third straight season.

Crosby, Matthews and Aird are noticeably more burly.

Crosby and Matthews play AAU together for Coast-to-Coast.

“We want them to lead our team, whatever it takes,” Nesser said. “If (Crosby) needs to score 40, then he’ll get 40. If we need Austin to get 25 rebounds, he’ll get 25 rebounds.”

Yough will look to carry momentum into a new season after a benchmark type of year, but the Cougars will have some new players in the rotation.

“This team is different from last year’s team,” Nesser said. “That’s over. Role players, you need them to be successful. I am looking forward to watching them mature. We’re deeper than last year. We had five-and-a-half (in the rotation). We’ll have more now.

“That’s the way it looks, but we’ll see what happens come game time, when the lights come on. We have three kids who didn’t play varsity.”

Sophomore Ryan Westerman (6-2) should bring a shooting touch to the lineup, and junior Charlie Quinn will provide depth in the backcourt.

Other players looking to contribute valuable minutes include sophomore forward Jackson Pore, junior Jaden Dixon-Bretzel and freshman John Steben.

Yough expects to see a lot of zone defense again, something that became commonplace last winter. Frustrating but common.

“I know why teams do it,” Nesser said. “We need to be able to shoot it well.”

Yough, which should get a challenge again from Section 4-3A co-champion Washington, opens the season by hosting a tip-off tournament with Summit Academy, Derry and Laurel Highlands.

The Cougars have nonsection games against defending WPIAL Class 3A champion Deer Lakes, Southmoreland and Greensburg Central Catholic.

Yough boys at a glance

Last season’s record: 17-10, 10-2 Section 4-3A

Returning starters: Zander Aird (Sr., G), Terek Crosby (Sr., G), Austin Matthews (Sr., F)

Top newcomers: Jaden Dixon-Bretzel (Jr., G), Jackson Pore (So., G), Charlie Quinn (Jr., G), Ryan Westerman (So., G)

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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