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Matt Holsinger announced via Twitter earlier today that he committed to play basketball at UPJ.

Holsinger helped lead Central Cambria to a 22-7 record in 2017.  The Red Devils won their second ever District Six title and they advanced to the Elite 8 in AAA. 

Holsinger averaged 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. He was named third-team all state this season. 

Good for him. I can see him playing the 4 at UPJ. He has good size, strength wise, plus he has a decent stroke from the outside

Given the way UPJ plays, I think he's a five.  He's not a stretch four, he's a post player that can hit an open jumper.  Still think he's at his best when he's inside.  

AJ Leahey was used more as a four for UPJ, and he was a great 3 point shooter.  That doesn't seem like Holsinger's game at all. He's good at working inside.

The only worry that I'd have about him playing center is that he is only about 6'5" or 6'6". That's good size for high school around here, but is that big enough to play center at the college level?

Yeah, I agree. If the four he is playing with has some size, like a Leahey, you can get away with it.  


From the games I saw him play, he's a very smart player and understands the game well, never looks out of position ect.  He's big and strong on the inside and is very active on rebounding and blocking shots.  His offensive game is still that of a traditional post player primarily, but he can hit mid-range jumpers if you leave him open.  


UPJ has done well recruiting local guys and they usually have a pretty competitive team.  I think he'll fit in well there.


When I watched UPJ play last year, they did not have any traditional post players.  Their big guys were Leahey and Vescovi and players like that.  Not a true center, and they got killed in rebounding.   I know Holsinger isn't tall in the sense for a college center, but he is an actual center, something UPJ seemed to need.

Not sure if you guys saw this but Luke Ruggery, the PG at Bishop Guilfoyle, committed to St. Francis in the last week or so. According to the Altoona Mirror it is as a full scholarship player as well. That is two nice additions to local college programs from the LHAC.

Wow, that's very surprising. Good player, didn't really get a D1 vibe especially this early.  

Congrats to him though. 

Should be some good basketball in the LHAC next season. Richland and Johnstown are loaded. BG should be really good and CC will still be tough.

I expect Penn Cambria and Forest Hills to compete also. Mccort should be OK.

SFB14 wrote:Not sure if you guys saw this but Luke Ruggery, the PG at Bishop Guilfoyle, committed to St. Francis in the last week or so. According to the Altoona Mirror it is as a full scholarship player as well. That is two nice additions to local college programs from the LHAC.

Congrats to Luke and Matt.  Anytime you can go and play college basketball on any level it should be commended.  
When you hear St Francis offered a 5'9 PG who still has 2 years left a full ride who has no other offers not even from UPJ it's no surprise they havent had a winning season in a decade.  This is the kind of thing that gets coaches fired.
This is no disrespect to Luke if they offered him then he is a D1 kid but he plays in an area that is not highly recruited for basketball.  You can get this kid at the last minute and not commit one of your few scholarships.

Yeah St Francis is a joke anyway