Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis men's basketball team is excited to welcome seven newcomers to the fold for the 2019-20 season.

"This is a well-balance group of young men who will impact our program on and off the court," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "We were able to add depth to the roster in a variety of ways. Combining this class with the three returning players who sat out last year will help make practices and workouts more competitive.  I am looking forward to seeing how the new guys mesh with the experienced group that we have coming back for the 2019-2020 season. "
 
Meet the Newcomers

6-2 G Justen Anderson (La Plata, Md./La Plata) (La Plata, Md. / La Plata H.S.)
 
Anderson, the son of Saint Francis all-time leading scorer Joe Anderson ('91) joins the Red Flash program from La Plata High School where he averaged 15.2 ppg over two varsity seasons and was Honorable Mention All-SMAC as a junior and First Team All-SMAC as a senior.
 
Krimmel on Anderson: "After a very successful high school career in Maryland, Justen comes to us as a skilled guard who can stretch the defense with his ability to shoot the ball.  He is a mature young man who works hard on and off the court and will be a welcomed addition to our  program."


5-9 G A.J. Burch (Annapolis, Md./Severn School) (Severna Park, Md. / Severn School)
 
Burch was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Severn School and 1,000 point scorer where he was a two-time all-county, all-conference, Buffalo Wild Wing All Star and Apple Valley Classic All Star selection.
 
Under Burch's leadership, the Admirals won 18 or more games in all four of his seasons. He enjoyed his best statistical season as a senior when he averaged 19.0 ppg and 4.0 apg.
 
Krimmel on Burch: "AJ is a battled tested point guard from The Severn School in Maryland.  He understands how to play and makes others around him better. AJ scored over 1,000 points in his high school career and is also a very good defender who can impact the game on both ends of the floor."
 

6-10 F Josh Cohen (Lincroft, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) (Lincroft, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy)
 
A prolific scoring post player, Cohen averaged 21.0 ppg as a senior at Christian Brothers Academy, scoring 20 or more points in 14 of 24 contests to land on the All-Shore Conference First Team.
 
A 6'0 guard as a freshman, Cohen grew to 6'10" over the last three years and his game reaped the benefits allowing him to become Christian Brothers Academy's latest 1,000 point scorer.
 
Cohen averaged a double-double in each of his last two varsity seasons and is a two-time All-Shore Conference selection.

Krimmel on Cohen: "Josh is coming off a great senior year at Christian Brother's Academy which resulted in numerous postseason awards and accolades.  His high school coach Geoff Billet was a great college player and then enjoyed success as a college coach who understands what it takes to be successful at this level.  Josh is a tireless worker who is plays hard every possession.  He is a very skilled post player who has a great feel for the game and finishes well around the basket."


6-6 G Brad McCabe (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) (Manasquan, N.J. / Manasquan)
 
McCabe averaged 15.6 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior for Manasquan, which advanced to the Shore Conference Tournament final and won NJSIAA Central Group II. In that SCT final, he hit 9 3-pointers and scored 33 points against Ranney, which went 31-3 and won the Tournament of Champions. 
 
A NJ.com All-Group 2 Second Team selection, he leaves Manasquan with 1,247 career points over three varsity seasons.
 
Krimmel on McCabe: "Brad is a welcome addition to our program as he is coming off a very good senior year at Manasquan High School in Central New Jersey.  He brings a strong 6'6" frame with athleticism and the ability to shoot the basketball."
 

5-11 G Luke Ruggery (Duncansville, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) (Duncansville, Pa. / Bishop Guilfoyle)
 
Local fans will be familiar with former Bishop Guilfoyle star Luke Ruggery (Duncansville, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) who led the Marauders to its best finish in school history in 2018-19 with a 27-3 overall record and runner-up finish in the PIAA 2A State Playoffs.
 
Ruggery garnered PIAA 2A First Team All-State honors as a junior and senior, averaging 21.2 and 20.0 points per game over his last two seasons. He is the first player from Bishoip Guilfoyle to earn a Division I men's basketball scholarship in over 40 years.
 
Krimmel on Ruggery: "Luke is a name that many of our fans will recognize.  From nearby Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, Luke helped guide his team to back to back District 6 titles and a spot in the State Finals during his senior year.  As the all time leading scorer in BG history, Luke brings an ability to score the ball while making others around him better.  His work ethic and leadership will help him have impact on our program from day one."
 

6-8 G/F Tyler Stewart (Silver Spring, Md./St. Andrew's Episcopal) (Silver Spring, Md. / St. Andrew's Episcopal / Binghamton University)
 
Stewart helped St. Andrew's win its first MAC Championship as a junior in 2015, averaging 12.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg. He increased those averages to 13.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg as a senior, helping St. Andrew's to an 18-8 overall record en route to MAC All-Conference honors. He was selected MVP of the CKA Academic All-Star game after scoring 32 points and earned his way onto the Gonzaga All-Tournament Team as a senior. He was ranked the #13 prospect in the state of Maryland by ESPN as a senior.
 
Stewart transfers to Saint Francis from Binghamton University where he was a contributor for two seasons. He played in 24 games as a freshman with eight starts and averaged 5.7 ppg including a season-high 14 points vs. New Hampshire to earn America East Rookie of the Week. He played in five games as a sophomore before missing the rest of the season with an injury. He scored 13 points vs. Sacred Heart on 5-of-9 shooting.
 
Krimmel on Stewart: "Ty is a very skilled player.  He will provide length and experience on the perimeter for us. His ability to attack off the bounce and make perimeter shots will fit well with how we like to play on offense.  His length and understanding of the game will enable us to use him in a variety of ways on the defensive end.  Ty's personality is one that will allow him to fit in right away with our team, our university, and the community.  
 

6-0 G Ben Seidel (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort) (Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort)
 
Seidel captained Bishop McCort to the District 5 State Playoffs while leading the Laurel Highlands Conference in scoring at 20.9 ppg.
 
A three-year letterwinner in basketball and soccer, Seidel helped Bishop McCort win the District 6 championship in basketball in 2017.
 
Krimmel on Seidel: "Ben is a quality young man and student who had a great high school career at Bishop McCort in Johnstown.  He has a good feel for the game coupled with the ability to shoot and handle the basketball at the guard position."


Fresh off its second consecutive 18-win season, the Red Flash will open its 2019-20 season at VCU on Nov. 5